76ers' Jaylen Brown issues LeBron James warning that will leave Lakers fans depressed

The LeBron James era is over in Los Angeles for the first time in almost a decade. The four-time NBA champion helped lead the Lakers back to the mountaintop in 2020, leaving an undeniable mark on his time with the organization.

There were some difficult seasons during his tenure, but his final few years in Los Angeles were much better than the beginning of his stint. Now, James will look to finish his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote. “James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania.”

James’ decision to leave LA was the result of several factors, with some of the tension beginning when the organization broke up its championship roster to acquire Russell Westbrook.

“There was more of a disconnect between James and the organization, sources said, one that started during the doomed 2021-22 season following the Russell Westbrook trade and never fully recovered. Ultimately, James recognized the Lakers were in a different phase with their franchise and chose to prioritize his basketball happiness, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania, in finding his next situation,” McMenamin wrote.

Still, the Lakers could have done more to change the direction of James’ departure, but they ultimately did not. Recently, James’ new teammate Jaylen Brown discussed how the four-time champion looks at 41 years old, and it is safe to say Lakers fans might want to cover their ears.

“LeBron is the f**king… I don’t even need to say what LeBron is. He looks good… LeBron is in his Kobe year,” Brown said.

Brown struggling to put into words how good James looks at 41 years old is remarkable. More importantly, though, it shows why the Lakers should have done everything in their power to keep him in Los Angeles.

Yes, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are tremendous players, but James remains on another level. His ability to continue playing at an elite level this late in his career makes his departure even more difficult for Lakers fans to accept. 

The 76ers know they hit the jackpot by adding James. Meanwhile, Lakers fans and the organization should be disappointed that he will not finish his legendary career in Los Angeles.

More NBA news: