Career Timeline of LeBron James: Major Achievements and Milestones

How LeBron James built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

LeBron James, nicknamed "King James", is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He holds the distinction of being the NBA's all-time leading scorer. James has achieved remarkable success, securing four NBA championships across ten NBA Finals appearances, including eight consecutive appearances from 2011 to 2018. In 2023, he added another achievement to his legacy by winning the inaugural NBA Cup with the Lakers. Furthermore, he has earned three Olympic gold medals representing the U.S. national team, solidifying his status as one of basketball's greatest players.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1982: Third Reigning MVP to Change Teams

In 2010, LeBron James became the third reigning MVP to change teams and the first since Moses Malone did so in 1982.

1998: Cavaliers Qualified for Playoffs

In 2006, under James' leadership, the Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

2000: Mention of the 2000 Olympics

In 2008, Team USA won their first gold medal since 2000.

May 2003: James Signs Deal with Nike

In May 2003, LeBron James signed a seven-year deal with Nike for approximately $90 million after a bidding war among Nike, Reebok, and Adidas.

2003: NBA Debut

In 2003, LeBron James made his NBA debut, scoring 25 points in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.

2003: Drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2003, LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick of the NBA draft.

2003: Entered 2003 NBA draft

In 2003, after participating in three year-end high school basketball all-star games—the EA Sports Roundball Classic, the Jordan Brand Capital Classic, and the McDonald's All-American Game—LeBron James entered the 2003 NBA draft.

2004: Olympics Debut

In 2004, at age 19, LeBron James made his debut for the United States national team at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, where Team USA won a bronze medal.

2004: James reflected on the 2004 Olympics

LeBron James reflected on the 2004 Olympics, admitting that the team did not understand the importance of representing the USA at the time.

2005: Departure from Aaron Goodwin

In 2005, James left his first agent, Aaron Goodwin, for Leon Rose.

2005: Scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors

On March 20, 2005, LeBron James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland's new single-game points record. He was also named to his first All-NBA Team.

2005: LeBron James Family Foundation Holds First Bike-a-thon

Since 2005, the LeBron James Family Foundation has held an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for various causes in Akron, Ohio.

2006: Negotiation of Three-Year Contract Extension

In 2006, James negotiated a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Cavaliers, which allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2010.

2006: 2006 FIBA World Championship

In 2006, LeBron James played a greater role for Team USA at the FIBA World Championship in Japan, where the team won another bronze medal.

2006: NBA All-Star Game MVP

In 2006, LeBron James was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, and he led the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

2006: Trio Discuss Future

In 2006, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade discussed their upcoming 2010 free agencies.

2007: 2007 NBA Finals

During the 2007 NBA Finals, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich famously used a strategy to exploit LeBron James' weaknesses by giving him space and forcing him to settle for three-pointers and long two-pointers. James only converted on 36 percent of his field goals in four games.

2007: Lebron comes off the bench for the second time

In 2007 LeBron James came off the bench for the second time in his career, with the first time being on March 26, 2023.

2007: Co-hosting the ESPY Awards

In 2007, LeBron James co-hosted the ESPY Awards with comedian Jimmy Kimmel, marking one of his early ventures into entertainment.

2007: Led Cavaliers to NBA Finals

In 2007, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to their first-ever Eastern Conference championship, earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.

2007: Led Cleveland to First NBA Finals Appearance

In 2007, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance.

2007: FIBA Americas Championship

In 2007, LeBron James played at the FIBA Americas Championship where he averaged 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. During the championship game against Argentina, he scored 31 points, the most ever by an American in an Olympic qualifier. Team USA achieved a 10–0 record, securing the gold medal and qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

2007: Leon Rose Joins CAA

In 2007, Leon Rose joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

June 2008: James Donates to Obama's Presidential Campaign

In June 2008, LeBron James donated $20,000 to a committee in support of Barack Obama for the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

2008: 2008 Olympics

In 2008, before being named to the Olympic team, LeBron James was given an ultimatum to improve his attitude. The USA team went unbeaten at the Olympics, winning their first gold medal since 2000. In the final game against Spain, James recorded 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

2008: Became Cavaliers' All-Time Leading Scorer

On March 21, 2008, LeBron James became the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer in a game against the Toronto Raptors.

2009: Proficient at the Chase-Down Block in 2009

In 2009, LeBron James became proficient at the chase-down block, which involves blocking the shot from behind the opposition in transition.

2009: Temporary Point Guard Role

In 2009, LeBron James temporarily assumed the point guard role for the Cavaliers due to injuries in the team's backcourt, maintaining the team's momentum and helping them finish with the league's best record.

2009: Release of More Than a Game

In 2009, SpringHill Entertainment, owned by James and Maverick Carter, released its first work, the Lions Gate documentary More Than a Game, chronicling James' high school years.

2009: Earned All-Defensive Honors Every Season From 2009

LeBron James earned All-Defensive honors every season from 2009 to 2014.

July 1, 2010: Free Agency

On July 1, 2010, LeBron James became an unrestricted free agent and was contacted by several teams.

July 10, 2010: Signed with the Heat

On July 10, 2010, LeBron James officially signed a 6-year, $110 million contract with the Miami Heat, becoming part of the first player-created NBA superteam. The Heat held a welcome party at the American Airlines Arena.

2010: Move to the Heat in 2010 Defined Player Movement

Ben Golliver of The Washington Post opined that LeBron James' move to the Heat in 2010 "defined a decade of player movement", and that he "fundamentally flipped the power balance between stars and their organizations."

2010: Signing with the Heat

In 2010, James signed with the Miami Heat, facilitated by the contract strategy he had put in place.

2010: James did not play at the 2010 FIBA World Championship

In 2010, LeBron James did not participate in the FIBA World Championship.

2010: Joined Miami Heat

In 2010, LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and joined the Miami Heat as a free agent.

2010: CAA Instrumental in move to Miami

In 2010, Leon Rose and Henry Thomas, from CAA, brought James to Miami.

2011: Consideration of NFL Offers

During the 2011 NBA lockout, James received contract offers to play professional football from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, which he considered.

2011: Working with Hakeem Olajuwon

During the extended summer of 2011 due to the lockout, LeBron James worked with Hakeem Olajuwon to improve his post up game.

2011: Fenway Sports Group Becomes Global Marketer of James' Rights

In 2011, Fenway Sports Group became the sole global marketer of LeBron James' rights, granting James a minority stake in the English Premier League football club Liverpool.

2011: Part-Owner of Liverpool F.C.

Since 2011, LeBron James has been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C.

2012: Option to Swap First Round Picks

As part of the sign-and-trade deal when James joined the Heat in 2010, the Cleveland Cavaliers had the option to swap first round picks with the Heat in 2012.

2012: James Leaves CAA for Rich Paul

In 2012, James left CAA for Rich Paul.

2012: Investment in Blaze Pizza

In 2012, James, Carter, and Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in Blaze Pizza.

2012: 2012 Olympics in London

In 2012, LeBron James rejoined Team USA for the Olympics in London, England. He led the team, facilitating the offense and providing scoring. He recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic basketball history during a game against Australia with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. Team USA won their second straight gold medal, defeating Spain in the final game. James contributed 19 points, becoming the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men's basketball history. He also joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win an NBA MVP award, NBA championship, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold medal in the same year.

2012: Won First NBA Championship with Heat

In 2012, LeBron James won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat, also earning MVP and Finals MVP honors.

2012: Versatile Defensive Player in 2012

In 2012, while in Miami, LeBron James developed into a more versatile defensive player, and the Heat relied on him to guard all five positions.

2013: James Surpasses Bryant as Highest Paid Basketball Player

In 2013, LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant as the highest-paid basketball player in the world, with earnings of $56.5 million.

2013: James Reported as Most Popular Player in the NBA

In 2013, LeBron James was reported by ESPN as the most popular player in the NBA for the second time in his career.

2013: Won Second NBA Championship with Heat

In 2013, LeBron James won his second NBA championship with the Miami Heat, also earning MVP and Finals MVP honors.

June 25, 2014: Opted Out of Contract

On June 25, 2014, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat.

2014: Regression in Defensive Impact Beginning in 2014

Beginning in 2014, some analysts reported a regression in LeBron James' defensive impact, stemming from a lack of effort and expected age-related declines.

2014: James Profits from Apple's Acquisition of Beats Electronics

In 2014, LeBron James realized a profit of more than $30 million as part of Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics, due to his early stake in the company in exchange for promoting its headphones.

2014: James requests longer All-Star break

In 2014, LeBron James requested NBA commissioner Adam Silver to extend the duration of the All-Star break, which was subsequently implemented the following season.

2014: Returned to Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2014, LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat.

2014: Earned All-Defensive Honors Every Season Through 2014

LeBron James earned All-Defensive honors every season from 2009 to 2014.

February 13, 2015: James Elected First Vice President of NBPA

On February 13, 2015, LeBron James was elected as the first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

2015: Partnership with University of Akron Announced

In 2015, LeBron James announced a partnership with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children, beginning in 2021.

2015: Appearance in Trainwreck and Uninterrupted Funding

In 2015, LeBron James appeared as himself in the film Trainwreck, receiving positive reviews. Also in 2015, his digital video company, Uninterrupted, secured $15.8 million in funding from Warner Bros. Entertainment and Turner Sports to expand its athlete-created content platform.

2015: James Ranked Sixth Highest Earning Sportsperson

In 2015, LeBron James was ranked the sixth highest-earning sportsperson in the world.

2015: Lowest Scoring Averages Since Rookie Season in 2015

In 2015, upon returning to the Cavaliers, LeBron James began to experience subtle age-related declines in productivity, posting his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season.

November 2016: James Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

In November 2016, LeBron James endorsed and campaigned for Hillary Clinton for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

2016: Ranked Among Top Three Defenders Through 2016

From 2012 through 2016, LeBron James was ranked among the top three defenders in the NBA by general managers.

2016: CNBC's Cleveland Hustles

In 2016, CNBC aired an unscripted series called Cleveland Hustles hosted by James, where four Northern Ohio entrepreneurs received financing to revitalize a neighborhood in Cleveland.

2016: Signing Three-Year Deal with Cavaliers

In 2016, James signed a three-year deal with the Cavaliers, becoming the highest-paid player in the league for the first time in his career.

2016: Motivation to Surpass Jordan Acknowledged in 2016

In 2016, LeBron James acknowledged in an interview with Sports Illustrated that his motivation was surpassing Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time.

2016: Donation to Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

In 2016, LeBron James donated $2.5 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to support an exhibit on Muhammad Ali.

2016: Led Cavaliers to First Championship

In 2016, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA championship, overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors.

2016: Lowest Scoring Averages Since Rookie Season in 2016

In 2016, LeBron James posted his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season. His shooting also temporarily regressed, and James briefly ranked as the NBA's worst high-volume shooter from outside the paint.

2016: James Ranked Third Highest Earning Sportsperson

In 2016, LeBron James was ranked as the third-highest-earning sportsperson in the world, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

November 2017: Akron School Board Approves I Promise School

In November 2017, the Akron School Board approved the I Promise School, a public elementary school created in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation.

2017: Growth of Blaze Pizza Investment

By 2017, James' investment in Blaze Pizza had grown to $25 million, and he became a spokesman for the company after ending his contract with McDonald's.

2017: Executive Production of The Carter Effect

In 2017, James executive produced The Carter Effect, a documentary about Vince Carter, alongside Maverick Carter, Drake, and Future the Prince, which was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.

2017: James Receives J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

In 2017, LeBron James received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA for his outstanding service and dedication to the community.

February 2018: Announcement of House Party Film and "Shut Up and Dribble" Controversy

In February 2018, James' production company announced it would produce a new film in the House Party series. Also in February 2018, Fox News host Laura Ingraham told James to "shut up and dribble" in response to his political views, leading to his creation of the documentary series Shut Up and Dribble.

June 29, 2018: James opts out of Cavaliers contract

On June 29, 2018, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became an unrestricted free agent.

July 30, 2018: I Promise School Officially Opens

On July 30, 2018, the I Promise School officially opened in Akron, with LeBron James reflecting that it was his most important professional accomplishment.

2018: Signed with Los Angeles Lakers

In 2018, LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

February 2019: Executive Producing 2 Chainz's Album

In February 2019, James was announced as the executive producer of rapper 2 Chainz's new album, Rap or Go to the League, which aimed to celebrate black excellence and promote education and entrepreneurship.

2019: Trademark Application for Taco Tuesday

In 2019, James filed for a trademark on the term "Taco Tuesday", but the request was denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office because it was a commonplace term.

August 19, 2020: James Announces Support for Biden-Harris Campaign

On August 19, 2020, LeBron James announced his support for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign and that of his running-mate Kamala Harris. James also spoke in support of the More Than a Vote movement, encouraging the African-American community to vote.

August 27, 2020: James Boycotts NBA Playoffs to Protest Shooting of Jacob Blake

On August 27, 2020, LeBron James and his Lakers teammates began boycotting the 2020 NBA playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake. In response, Jared Kushner planned to reach out to James, and Barack Obama advised the players to continue playing and finish the NBA season.

November 2020: Angel Investment in Lobos 1707

In November 2020, James became an angel investor in the tequila and mezcal company Lobos 1707.

2020: Won Championship with Lakers

In 2020, LeBron James won another NBA title with the Lakers, becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams.

March 2021: Assistance in Buying the Atlanta Dream and Joining Fenway Sports Group

In March 2021, James assisted Renee Montgomery in her bid to buy the Atlanta Dream after frustration with Kelly Loeffler's comments on Black Lives Matter. Also in March 2021, he joined Fenway Sports Group as a partner.

2021: Joined by Anthony and Westbrook

In 2021 LeBron James was joined by Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook on the lakers team.

2021: Starred in Space Jam: A New Legacy

In 2021, LeBron James starred in the sports film "Space Jam: A New Legacy".

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2021: University of Akron scholarships

In 2021, the partnership between the LeBron James Family Foundation and the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children began.

June 2022: Launching Hana Kuma Media Company

In June 2022, James announced the launch of a new media company in partnership with Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter, named Hana Kuma, which means "flower bear" in Japanese.

August 2022: Part Ownership of A.C. Milan

In August 2022, James, along with Drake, became part owners of the Italian football club A.C. Milan.

August 18, 2022: James re-signs with the Lakers

On August 18, 2022, LeBron James re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $97.1 million contract, making him the highest-paid athlete in NBA history at $528.9 million, surpassing Kevin Durant in all-time earnings.

2022: James Appears in Crypto.com Super Bowl Ad

During Super Bowl LVI in 2022, LeBron James appeared in a Crypto.com advertisement, produced by his SpringHill Company and directed by Calmatic, where he offered advice to a CGI version of his younger self. The commercial sparked social media buzz and inspired memes.

2022: 2022-23 Season

During the 2022-23 season, LeBron James finished the regular season with averages of 28.9 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, and 6.8 assists per game, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season.

2022: Crypto.com NFT Airdrop and LeBron James Family Foundation Partnership

In 2022, Crypto.com launched an NFT airdrop campaign featuring the NBA champion, distributing 5,550 tokens to randomly chosen participants. Additionally, in 2022, James' charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation, partnered with Crypto.com to provide blockchain and Web3 education to underserved communities in Akron.

2022: James' Desire to Play Into Forties in 2022

In 2022, LeBron James voiced his desire to play into his forties potentially alongside or against his sons Bronny and Bryce.

February 7, 2023: James becomes all-time leading scorer

On February 7, 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, marking a monumental career milestone.

May 2023: James Becomes First Active NBA Player Billionaire

According to Forbes, in May 2023, LeBron James became the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status.

2023: Oldest player in the league

Entering the 2023–24 NBA season, LeBron James became the oldest player in the league, following the retirements of Udonis Haslem and Andre Iguodala.

2023: Lakers reach Western Conference Finals

In 2023, LeBron James led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals, marking their second Conference Finals appearance in five seasons. They were ultimately swept by the Denver Nuggets.

2023: Became NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer

In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

2023: Won NBA Cup

In 2023, LeBron James won the inaugural NBA Cup with the Los Angeles Lakers.

March 2024: Launch of Mind the Game Podcast

In March 2024, James and JJ Redick launched a podcast called Mind the Game, where they discussed basketball.

June 2024: Podcast Suspension

In June 2024, the Mind the Game podcast was suspended after JJ Redick was hired as the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.

July 6, 2024: James re-signs with the Lakers

On July 6, 2024, LeBron James re-signed with the Lakers, continuing his career with the team.

October 22, 2024: James and Bronny Share the Court for the First Time

On October 22, 2024, in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James and his son Bronny shared the court for the first time.

October 31, 2024: James Supports Kamala Harris 2024 Presidential Campaign

On October 31, 2024, LeBron James announced his support for the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign in the 2024 U.S. presidential election through a video posted on social media.

2024: 20 All-NBA Teams as of 2024

As of 2024, LeBron James has been named to 20 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records.

2024: James' Career Averages Mentioned

As of 2024, LeBron James' career averages are 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.

2024: First Father-Son Teammates

In 2024, LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son teammates in league history.

2024: James Rejoined National Team on 2024 Olympic Squad

In 2024, after a 12-year gap, LeBron James rejoined the national team on the Olympic squad in Paris as Team Captain. He was named as one of the two Team USA flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the games. James led the team in rebounds and assists, recording his second Olympic triple double in a comeback win in the semi-final against Serbia. Team USA went on to win their fifth straight gold medal, defeating France 98–87 in the final game. James recorded 14 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and was named the FIBA Men's Olympics MVP and was selected to the FIBA Men's Olympics All-Star Five. James became the third male basketball player to win three gold medals at the Olympics.

January 3, 2025: Most 30-point games in NBA history

On January 3, 2025, LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games in NBA history with 563 games.

March 4, 2025: 50,000 Career Points

On March 4, 2025, LeBron James surpassed 50,000 career points across the regular season and playoffs during a 136–115 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.