Lakers GM addresses LeBron leaving for Philadelphia

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka publicly addressed LeBron James ' departure in free agency over the summer.

James, 41, played the last eight seasons with the Lakers before he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July. He led the Lakers to six playoff appearances, including winning the NBA Finals in 2020 and an appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 2023.

"I thought it would be appropriate at the front to express gratitude for the LeBron era here," Pelinka said at Lakers preseason media day on Thursday. "Clearly, new team and new players, and that's what we're going to talk about today. But we as an organization are still grateful for the run that we had with him here.

"The Lakers have become – as they should – a perennial playoff team. Won a championship, went to the Western Conference finals. It was a great era, and we're grateful for it. I think it's important to say that at the onset as we turn into a new chapter."

Following James' departure, the Lakers revamped their roster with a number of signings and trades to build a supporting cast around star Luka Dončić .

LA's offseason included re-signing Austin Reaves to a long-term deal, trading for Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and acquiring veterans Kevon Looney and Collin Sexton .

"Once we got the news from LeBron and Rich that he was going to choose a different organization, we built a thesis for what we wanted this team to be heading into this season, (head coach) JJ ( Redick ) and I together," Pelinka said.

"There were three fundamental pillars of what we wanted to accomplish in the offseason. … Re-signing Austin (Reaves), putting together a trade to acquire Walker Kessler, and then building out our team with young players that could dribble-pass-shoot, and have brought the average age of our roster to around 26 or 27, which lines up so perfectly with building a team around Luka Dončić."

Pelinka made it clear that the Lakers are forward-looking and expressed optimism over the team's future. He also said there were no hard feelings between the Lakers organization and James following his departure.

"Again, we're grateful for the LeBron era. I think the communications with him this offseason were held diplomatically, professionally and honestly," Pelinka said. "I'm so thankful for the partnership that we had that continued up until this summer when a decision was made for him to play for another team. It was done amicably, professionally, gracefully. We looked at the whole thing with gratitude, because it's been an incredible era for us here."

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