He returns to the Eastern Conference after spending the previous eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier than departing throughout the offseason as a free agent.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James shared on his social media accounts. “I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game.
“I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the rostrum throughout the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the rostrum throughout the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers ahead LeBron James reacts whereas holding the Larry O’Brien trophy after defeating the Gold State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.
Powered by a tremendous effort from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers accomplished the best comeback in NBA Finals historical past, dethroning defending champion Golden State 93-89 to seize their first NBA title. The Cavaliers gained the best-of-seven sequence 4-3 to say the primary league crown of their 46-season historical past and ship the primary main sports activities champion to Cleveland for the reason that 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American metropolis.
/ AFP / Beck Diefenbach (Photo credit score ought to learn BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP by way of Getty Images)
(AFP, AFP by way of Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Forward LeBron James reacts in opposition to the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals within the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 on the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the subsequent spherical 4 video games to 1.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Finals Championship trophy after they gained 121-106 in opposition to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
(Alex Trautwig, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers within the second half on the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104.
(Mitchell Leff, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James cries earlier than the Men’s Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China on the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP by way of Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James is injured in opposition to the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals throughout the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James argues a foul name with referee John Goble #10 throughout the second half of a sport in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts because the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks within the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James seems to be on earlier than taking part in in opposition to the Washington Wizards throughout the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James indicators to teammates after making a three-point shot on the finish of the third quarter in opposition to the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals throughout the 2010 NBA Playoffs on the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98.
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts throughout a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James shouts throughout a sport in opposition to CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami warmth gained 96-85 over CSKA Moscow.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal sport of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons on the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts in opposition to the Chicago Bulls throughout the second half on the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James sits throughout a coaching session within the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match in opposition to the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP by way of Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James within the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James falls to the court docket after a foul throughout the fourth quarter in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts throughout heat up previous to the sport in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
In his final look on the court docket, he produced a double-double with 24 factors and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes of play throughout his final look for the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on May 11. The Lakers’ season concluded with a 115-110 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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