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 an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He holds the title of the NBA's all-time leading scorer and boasts an impressive record of four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances, including eight consecutive appearances from 2011-2018. James also secured the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers and has won three Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Widely regarded as one of basketball's all-time greats, his accomplishments solidify his place among the sport's elite.
1976: First Laker since Abdul-Jabbar to put up at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game
On January 27, 2024, James put up a triple-double with 36 points, a career-high 20 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 145–144 double overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors, becoming the first in Lakers history since Abdul-Jabbar in 1976 to put up at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.
1981: Tying Lakers Record
On November 15, 2024, he recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double of the season with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, in a 120–115 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, breaking his own record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made. He tied the Lakers record for the most consecutive triple-doubles, joining Magic Johnson (1981, 1987) and Russell Westbrook (2021).
1987: Tying Lakers Record
On November 15, 2024, he recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double of the season with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, in a 120–115 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, breaking his own record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made. He tied the Lakers record for the most consecutive triple-doubles, joining Magic Johnson (1981, 1987) and Russell Westbrook (2021).
1998: Cavaliers Playoff Berth
In 1998, prior to LeBron James's arrival, was the last time the Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs.
2000: 2008 Olympics Gold Medal
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Team USA won their first gold medal since 2000. In the final game against Spain, James had 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
2001: Feature in Slam Magazine
In 2001, before his junior year, LeBron James was featured in a Slam magazine article that praised his basketball abilities.
December 12, 2002: Game Against Oak Hill Academy
On December 12, 2002, LeBron James and the Fighting Irish played against Oak Hill Academy, a nationally ranked team, in a game televised on ESPN2.
2002: Petitioned for NBA Draft Eligibility
In 2002, following a loss in the Division II championship game, James unsuccessfully petitioned for a change to the NBA's draft eligibility rules.
May 2003: Signing with Nike
In May 2003, LeBron James signed a seven-year deal with Nike for approximately $90 million.
2003: Entered 2003 NBA draft
In 2003, LeBron James entered the 2003 NBA draft after losing his National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility and participating in year-end high school basketball all-star games.
2003: Selected First Overall in NBA Draft
In 2003, LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick in the NBA draft, marking the start of his professional career.
2003: Selected by Cavaliers and NBA Debut
In 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft and he chose jersey number 23. In his debut regular season game, James scored 25 points against the Sacramento Kings. At the end of the 2003-04 season, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year.
2004: Olympic Debut
As a 19-year-old rookie, James made his debut for the United States national team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He averaged 14.6 minutes per game with 5.8 points, and 2.6 rebounds per game. Team USA finished the competition with a bronze medal.
2004: First NBA All-Star Game Selection
In the 2004-05 season, LeBron James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection, contributing 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a winning effort for the Eastern Conference.
2005: Left Aaron Goodwin
In 2005, James left his first agent, Aaron Goodwin, for Leon Rose.
2005: Missed the playoffs
In 2005, James missed the playoffs for the first time.
2005: LJFF Annual Bike-A-Thon
In 2005, The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) started holding an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for various causes.
2006: FIBA World Championship
At the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, James took on a greater role for Team USA, averaging 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game as co-captain. The team finished the tournament with an 8–1 record, winning another bronze medal. James' behavior was questioned by teammate Bruce Bowen regarding his treatment of staff members.
2006: Contract Extension with Cavaliers
During the 2006 offseason, LeBron James signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Cavaliers, with the option for a fourth year.
2006: Negotiated a three-year contract extension with the Cavaliers
In 2006, James and the Cavaliers negotiated a three-year, $60 million contract extension instead of the four-year maximum. This allowed him the option to seek a new contract for more money as an unrestricted free agent following the 2010 season.
2006: All-Star Game MVP and Playoff Debut
In 2006, LeBron James was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP). The Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998. In his postseason debut, James recorded a triple-double in a win over the Washington Wizards.
2006: Cavaliers Playoff Run
In the 2006-07 season, the Cavaliers finished with 50 wins and entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
January 2007: End of Consecutive Games Scoring Over 10 Points Streak
On December 4, 2025, in a 123–120 win over the Toronto Raptors, James assisted on Rui Hachimura's game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer, but finished the game with eight points on 4-of-17 shooting. This ended his streak of 1,297 consecutive games with at least 10 points, setting a record. The last time he had scored fewer than 10 points was in January 2007.
December 11, 2007: First Time Coming Off The Bench
On December 11, 2007, LeBron James came off the bench for the first time in his career to prevent fans from booing his teammate Anderson Varejão.
2007: FIBA Americas Championship 2007
At the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, James averaged 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, including a 31-point performance against Argentina in the championship game. Team USA went 10–0, winning the gold medal and qualifying for the 2008 Olympics.
2007: First NBA Finals Appearance with Cleveland
In 2007, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance.
2007: Rose joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
In 2007, Leon Rose joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
June 2008: Donation to Barack Obama's campaign
In June 2008, LeBron James donated $20,000 to a committee supporting Barack Obama for the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
2008: 2008 Olympics Gold Medal
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Team USA won their first gold medal since 2000. In the final game against Spain, James had 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
2008: NBA All-Defensive Team
At the end of the 2008-2009 season, LeBron James made his first NBA All-Defensive Team.
2008: Member of the "Redeem Team"
In 2008, LeBron James was a member of the US Olympic team, also known as the "Redeem Team".
2008: NBA Scoring Title
In 2008, LeBron James won his first NBA scoring title while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
2009: Proficiency at the Chase-Down Block
In 2009, James demonstrated proficiency at the chase-down block, which involves coming in from behind the opposition in transition to block the shot.
2009: All-Defensive Honors in 2009
In 2009, James earned All-Defensive honors, starting a streak that lasted until 2014.
2009: First MVP Award
In 2009, LeBron James won his first MVP Award, achieving a franchise record of 66–16 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. ESPN described his season as "arguably the greatest individual season in history".
2009: Release of More Than a Game documentary
In 2009, LeBron James' production company, SpringHill Entertainment, released its first work, the Lions Gate documentary More Than a Game, chronicling James' high school years.
2009: Eastern Conference Finals Loss
In the 2009 playoffs, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games.
July 1, 2010: Free Agency
On July 1, 2010, LeBron James became an unrestricted free agent and was contacted by several teams, including the Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Cavaliers.
July 10, 2010: Signed with the Heat
On July 10, 2010, James signed a 6-year, $110 million contract with the Miami Heat, changed his jersey number to 6, and attended a welcome party where he declared the Heat would win multiple championships. This event was negatively perceived outside of Miami.
2010: Brought James to Miami
In 2010, Henry Thomas and Leon Rose helped bring James to Miami.
2010: Did not play at the 2010 FIBA World Championship
In 2010, James did not play at the FIBA World Championship
2010: James' Move to the Heat Defined a Decade of Player Movement
In 2010, James' move to the Miami Heat "defined a decade of player movement", fundamentally flipping the power balance between stars and their organizations.
2010: Move to Miami Heat
In 2010, James, along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, were able to sign with the Miami Heat due to his earlier contract negotiations.
2010: Joined Miami Heat for championships
In 2010, LeBron James went to Miami, aiming for championships.
2010: Second NBA MVP Award and Move to Miami Heat
In 2010, LeBron James won his second consecutive NBA MVP award and then controversially joined the Miami Heat as a free agent, a move announced in "The Decision" television special.
2011: Considered Playing Professional Football
During the 2011 NBA lockout, James received contract offers to play professional football from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, which he gave serious consideration to and even began training with it in mind.
2011: NBA Finals Appearance
In 2011, LeBron James began a streak of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances, showcasing his consistent dominance in the league.
2012: ESPN Ranks Game 5 Performance
In 2012, ESPN ranked LeBron James' performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals as the fourth greatest in modern NBA playoff history.
2012: Development into a Versatile Defensive Player in 2012
In 2012, James developed into a more versatile defensive player while playing for the Miami Heat, and the team relied on him to guard all five positions.
2012: First NBA Championship with the Heat
In 2012, LeBron James won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat, also earning MVP and Finals MVP honors.
2012: Investment in Blaze Pizza
In 2012, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in the fast-casual chain Blaze Pizza.
2012: 2012 Olympics Gold Medal
James rejoined Team USA for the 2012 Olympics in London, England, becoming the leader of the team. During a game against Australia, he recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic basketball history with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. Team USA won their second straight gold medal, again defeating Spain in the final game.
2013: Second NBA Championship with the Heat
In 2013, LeBron James secured his second NBA championship with the Miami Heat, earning MVP and Finals MVP honors for the second consecutive year.
2013: 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.
June 2014: Returned to the Cavaliers
In June 2014, James opted out of his contract with the Heat and became a free agent. He then signed a two-year, $42 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, switching back to jersey No. 23. Unlike his departure from Cleveland four years earlier, this announcement was well-received.
2014: Reported Request to Increase All-Star Break Duration
In 2014, James reportedly asked NBA commissioner Adam Silver to increase the duration of the All-Star break, and it was extended the following season.
2014: Ranked Among Top Three Defenders and Regression in Defensive Impact
In 2014, James was ranked among the top three defenders in the NBA by general managers. Beginning in 2014, some analysts reported a regression in his defensive impact, stemming from a lack of effort and expected age-related declines.
2014: All-Defensive Honors Streak Ends in 2014
In 2014, James' streak of earning All-Defensive honors ended, having earned them every season from 2009 to 2014.
2014: Profit 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 investment and promotion of the company's headphones.
2014: Returned to Cleveland to deliver a promise
In 2014, LeBron James returned to Cleveland, fulfilling a promise he had made.
2014: Return to Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2014, LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat.
February 13, 2015: Elected First Vice President of NBPA
On February 13, 2015, James was elected the first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
2015: Partnership with the University of Akron
In 2015, LeBron James announced a partnership with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for up to 2,300 children, beginning in 2021.
2015: Appearance in Trainwreck and Uninterrupted Funding
In 2015, LeBron James played himself in the film Trainwreck, receiving positive reviews, and his digital video company Uninterrupted raised $15.8 million from Warner Bros. Entertainment and Turner Sports.
2015: Ranked Sixth Highest Earning Sportsperson
In 2015, LeBron James was ranked the sixth-highest-earning sportsperson.
2015: Lowest Scoring Averages Since Rookie Season
In 2015, upon returning to the Cavaliers, James experienced subtle age-related declines in productivity, posting his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season.
2016: Continued Declines in Productivity in 2016
In 2016, James continued to experience subtle age-related declines in productivity, posting his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season.
2016: Signed with the Cavaliers on a three-year deal
In 2016, James signed with the Cavaliers on a three-year deal, becoming the highest-paid player in the league for the first time in his career.
2016: Donation to the 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: NBA Championship with Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2016, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA championship, ending Cleveland's sports curse.
2016: Ranked Third Highest Earning Sportsperson
In 2016, LeBron James was ranked the third-highest-earning sportsperson.
2016: Defensive Decline During Second Stint in Cleveland in 2016
In 2016, during his second stint in Cleveland, James' defense progressively declined, with analysts reporting a regression in his defensive impact.
November 2017: Approval of the I Promise School
In November 2017, the Akron School Board approved the I Promise School, a public elementary school created in partnership with the LJFF.
2017: Investment Growth in Blaze Pizza and Spokesperson Role
By 2017, LeBron James' investment in Blaze Pizza had grown to $25 million. James also became a spokesman for the company after ending his contract with McDonald's.
2017: Executive production of The Carter Effect
In 2017, LeBron James and Maverick Carter executive produced a Vince Carter documentary entitled The Carter Effect.
2017: 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: Production of House Party Film and "Shut Up and Dribble" Controversy
In February 2018, LeBron James' production company announced it would produce a new film in the House Party series. Later that month, Fox News host Laura Ingraham told James to "shut up and dribble" leading to the creation of his Showtime documentary film series, Shut Up and Dribble.
June 2018: Signed with the Lakers
In June 2018, James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became a free agent, signing a four-year, $153.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue his own aspirations.
July 30, 2018: Opening of the I Promise School
On July 30, 2018, the I Promise School officially opened, with LeBron James considering it his most important professional accomplishment.
2018: End of Consecutive NBA Finals Appearances
2018 marked the end of LeBron James' streak of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
2018: Joined Lakers
In 2018, James joined the Lakers hoping to make them championship contenders, but the team recorded only two wins in their first seven games.
2018: Signing with the Los Angeles Lakers
In 2018, LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.
February 2019: Executive Production of 2 Chainz's Album
In February 2019, LeBron James was revealed to be the executive producer of rapper 2 Chainz's new album, Rap or Go to the League, celebrating black excellence and focusing on the power of education and entrepreneurship.
2019: Lakers acquired Anthony Davis
In 2019, the Lakers traded players to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis, and James moved to point guard. The Lakers then started the season with a 17-2 record.
2019: Lakers missed the playoffs
In 2019, the Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2019.
2019: Breaking Record
On November 13, 2024, he logged a triple-double of 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists, in a 128–123 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. Aged 39 years and 319 days, he broke his record set in 2019 for the oldest player to record a triple-double in three consecutive games.
August 27, 2020: Boycott of the 2020 NBA Playoffs
On August 27, 2020, LeBron James and his Lakers teammates, along with the Bucks, began boycotting the 2020 NBA playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake.
November 2020: Angel Investor in Lobos 1707
In November 2020, James became an angel investor in Lobos 1707, a tequila and mezcal company.
2020: Signed extension with the Lakers
In 2020, James signed a two-year, $85.7 million extension with the Lakers, keeping him with the team through the 2022-23 season.
2020: NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2020, LeBron James won another NBA title with the Lakers, becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams.
2021: Scholarships for 2,300 children
In 2021, the scholarships for 2,300 children, as part of the partnership with the University of Akron, began.
2021: Tying Lakers Record
On November 15, 2024, he recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double of the season with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, in a 120–115 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, breaking his own record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made. He tied the Lakers record for the most consecutive triple-doubles, joining Magic Johnson (1981, 1987) and Russell Westbrook (2021).
June 2022: Launch of Hana Kuma Media Company
In June 2022, LeBron James announced the launch of a media company in partnership with Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter, named Hana Kuma.
August 2022: Signed contract extension with Lakers
In August 2022, James signed a two-year, $97 million contract extension with the Lakers, making his career earnings an NBA record of $529 million.
August 2022: Part Owner of A.C. Milan
In August 2022, LeBron James, along with Drake, became part owners of the Italian football club A.C. Milan.
2022: Season achievements and playoff run
In 2022, James achieved milestones and led the Lakers through a playoff run. He became the oldest player to have multiple 50-point games, recorded his 10,000th career assist, and led the Lakers to the Western Conference finals before being swept by the Denver Nuggets.
2022: James Voices Desire to Play into Forties
In 2022, James voiced his desire to play into his forties, potentially alongside or against his sons Bronny and Bryce.
2022: Partnership with Crypto.com
In 2022, LeBron James' charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation, partnered with Crypto.com to educate underserved Akron communities with blockchain-related knowledge and Web3 tools.
May 2023: Becomes a Billionaire
According to Forbes, in May 2023, LeBron James became the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.
2023: Inaugural NBA Cup Win
In 2023, LeBron James and the Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup (formerly the In-Season Tournament), adding another achievement to his career.
2023: NBA All-Time Leading Scorer
In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, a significant career milestone.
2023: Jersey Number Change and Milestones
In 2023, LeBron James switched back to jersey No. 23 in honor of Bill Russell. As Udonis Haslem and Andre Iguodala retired, James became the NBA's oldest active player. Throughout November 2023, James achieved milestones such as surpassing Karl Malone for the most 30-point games since turning 35, becoming the second-oldest player to record a triple-double, and becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 5,000 career turnovers.
January 25, 2024: 20th NBA All-Star Selection
On January 25, 2024, James was named an All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his 20th NBA All-Star selection, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections.
March 2024: Launch of Mind the Game Podcast
In March 2024, LeBron James and JJ Redick launched a podcast called Mind the Game.
June 2024: Suspension of Mind the Game Podcast
In June 2024, the Mind the Game podcast was suspended after JJ Redick was hired as head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
July 6, 2024: Re-signed with the Lakers
On July 6, 2024, James re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million contract which carried a no-trade clause and had a player option in the second year. James' son Bronny had been drafted 55th overall by the Lakers, marking the first father-son duo in NBA history.
October 22, 2024: First Time Sharing the Court with Son Bronny
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, marking a historic moment.
2024: All-NBA Teams Record in 2024
As of 2024, James has been named to 21 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records.
2024: First Father-Son Teammates
In 2024, LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son teammates in NBA league history.
2024: Olympics MVP
In the 2024 Summer Olympics, LeBron James was named the Olympics MVP. He also holds a record 22-time All-Star and 21-time All-NBA selection.
2024: 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
James rejoined the national team on the 2024 Olympic squad in Paris as Team Captain. James was named as one of the two Team USA flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the games, becoming the first male basketball player to be so honored. Team USA won their fifth straight gold medal, defeating France 98–87 in the final game.
2024: NBA Best Player Ranking
Through the 2024–25 season, James' career averages are 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. Throughout the 2010s, he was usually ranked as the best player in the NBA each season by ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
March 4, 2025: Surpassed 50,000 Career Points
On March 4, 2025, James surpassed 50,000 career points across the regular season and playoffs during a 136–115 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
March 2025: Announcement of Mind the Game Season Two
In March 2025, a second season of the podcast Mind the Game was announced, with Steve Nash replacing JJ Redick as LeBron James' new co-host.
October 9, 2025: Sidelined for Start of Season
On October 9, 2025, the Lakers announced that James would be sidelined for the start of the 2025–26 season due to sciatica on his right side.
2025: Hall of Fame Induction
In 2025, LeBron James was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team (also known as the "Redeem Team"). He and Chris Paul became the first NBA players inducted into the Hall of Fame while still active.
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