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 is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a four-time NBA champion, having appeared in 10 NBA Finals, including eight consecutive from 2011-2018. He led the Lakers to win the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023. A three-time Olympic gold medalist, James is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
1982: Third Reigning MVP to Change Teams
In 1982, Moses Malone was the first reigning MVP to change teams, LeBron James became only the third reigning MVP to change teams in 2010.
1998: Cavaliers last qualified for Playoffs
Lebron James led the Cavaliers to qualify for the playoffs in 2006, for the first time since 1998.
2002: Petitioned NBA Draft Eligibility Rules
Following a loss in the Division II championship game, in 2002, LeBron James unsuccessfully petitioned for a change to the NBA's draft eligibility rules in an attempt to enter the 2002 NBA draft.
May 2003: Signed deal with Nike
In May 2003, LeBron James signed a seven-year deal with Nike for approximately $90 million.
2003: Entered the 2003 NBA draft
In 2003, LeBron James participated in three year-end high school basketball all-star games and made it official that he would enter the 2003 NBA draft.
2003: Drafted into NBA and First Regular Season Game
In 2003, LeBron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick of the NBA draft. In his first regular season game, James scored 25 points in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.
2003: Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2003, LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick of the NBA draft.
2004: Received NBA Rookie of the Year Award
At the conclusion of the 2003–2004 season, LeBron James became the first Cavalier to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
2004: First NBA All-Star Game Selection
In 2004, LeBron James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection.
2004: James debuts at the 2004 Olympics
In 2004, as a 19-year-old rookie, LeBron James made his debut for the United States national team at the Olympics in Athens, Greece. Team USA won the bronze medal.
2005: Left Aaron Goodwin
In 2005, LeBron James left his first agent, Aaron Goodwin, for Leon Rose.
2005: Set Cleveland Single-Game Points Record
On March 20, 2005, LeBron James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland's new single-game points record. At the end of the season, James was named to his first All-NBA Team.
2005: LeBron James Family Foundation Annual Bike-a-thon
Since 2005, the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) has held an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for various causes.
2006: The Trio's Discussion
Back in 2006, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade discussed their upcoming 2010 free agencies.
2006: Signed contract Extension with Cavaliers
During the 2006 offseason, LeBron James signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers with a fourth year player option.
2006: James at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
In 2006, LeBron James played a bigger role for Team USA at the FIBA World Championship in Japan, where the team won another bronze medal.
2006: Named All-Star Game MVP and Qualified for Playoffs
In 2006, LeBron James was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. Under James' leadership, the Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
2006: Cavaliers Finished Season with 50 Wins
In the 2006 season, the Cavaliers finished the season with 50 wins for the second consecutive year and entered the playoffs as the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference.
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.
2007: James shines at the FIBA Americas Championship 2007
In 2007, LeBron James averaged 18.1 points at the FIBA Americas Championship, leading Team USA to win the gold medal and qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
2007: Co-hosted the ESPY Awards with Jimmy Kimmel
In 2007, LeBron James co-hosted the ESPY Awards alongside comedian Jimmy Kimmel, marking one of his early forays into the entertainment industry.
2007: Led Cleveland to First NBA Finals
In 2007, LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers to its first NBA Finals appearance.
2007: Won Eastern Conference Championship and Lost NBA Finals
In 2007, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to win the Eastern Conference championship. They subsequently lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
2007: Leon Rose Joined Creative Artists Agency
In 2007, Leon Rose joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
2007: Exploited by Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich in the 2007 Finals
In the 2007 NBA Finals, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich exploited James' weaknesses by giving him space in the half court and forcing him to settle for three-pointers and long two-pointers. James converted on only 36 percent of his field goals in four games.
June 2008: Donation to Barack 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: NBA All-Defensive Team
At the end of the 2008 season, LeBron James made his first NBA All-Defensive Team.
2008: Member of "Redeem Team"
In 2008, LeBron James was a member of the U.S. Olympic team (also known as the "Redeem Team") that will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
2008: Named All-Star Game MVP and Won Scoring Title
In 2008, LeBron James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time and won his first scoring title. He also became the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer.
2008: Won First Scoring Title
In 2008, LeBron James won his first scoring title.
2008: James wins gold at the 2008 Olympics
In 2008, after improving his attitude, LeBron James and Team USA won the gold medal at the Olympics in Beijing, marking their first gold medal since 2000.
2009: Proficient at the Chase-Down Block
In 2009, LeBron James became proficient at the chase-down block, which involves coming in from behind the opposition in transition to block the shot.
2009: Release of More Than a Game documentary
In 2009, SpringHill Entertainment, owned by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, released its first work, the documentary More Than a Game, chronicling James' high school basketball years.
July 1, 2010: James Became an Unrestricted Free Agent
On July 1, 2010, LeBron James became an unrestricted free agent, contacted by several teams including the Bulls, Clippers, Heat, Knicks, Nets, and Cavaliers.
July 10, 2010: James Signs with the Heat
On July 10, 2010, LeBron James officially signed a 6-year, $110 million contract with the Miami Heat, changing his jersey number to 6.
2010: Opted for a new contract
Following the 2010 season, LeBron James opted for a new contract, which allowed him, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh to sign together with the Heat.
2010: Did Not Play at FIBA World Championship
In 2010, LeBron James did not participate in the FIBA World Championship.
2010: Won Second MVP and Left Cleveland
In 2010, LeBron James won his second consecutive MVP award and subsequently left the Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat as a free agent, a decision announced in the nationally televised special titled "The Decision".
2010: Move to Heat Defined a Decade of Player Movement
In 2010, LeBron James' move to the Heat "defined a decade of player movement", and that he "fundamentally flipped the power balance between stars and their organizations."
2010: CAA Helped Bring James to Miami
In 2010, Leon Rose and Henry Thomas of CAA helped bring LeBron James to Miami.
2010: Intense Criticism of James
In 2010, upon leaving the Cavaliers, LeBron James faced intense criticism from analysts, executives, fans, and players due to 'The Decision' and his move to the Miami Heat.
2010: Extension Aligned for Free Agency
Lebron James aligned his potential free agency in the 2010 offseason with fellow draft class members Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
2011: Received Contract Offers to Play Professional Football
During the 2011 NBA lockout, LeBron James received contract offers to play professional football from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.
2011: James Works with Hakeem Olajuwon
During the extended summer of 2011 due to a lockout, LeBron James worked with Hakeem Olajuwon to improve his post up game.
2011: Fenway Sports Group Became Sole Global Marketer of Rights
In 2011, Fenway Sports Group became the sole global marketer of LeBron James' rights, and as part of the deal, James was granted a minority stake in the English Premier League football club Liverpool.
2012: Joins Team USA for the Olympics and Wins Gold
In 2012, LeBron James rejoined Team USA for the Olympics in London, becoming a team leader. 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, defeating Spain in the final game, with James contributing 19 points and 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 the Heat
In 2012, LeBron James won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat and earned the MVP and Finals MVP honors.
2012: Invested in Blaze Pizza
In 2012, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in Blaze Pizza.
2012: Option to Swap First Round Picks
In 2012, as part of the sign-and-trade deal when LeBron James signed with the Heat, the Cavaliers had the option to swap first round picks with the Heat.
2012: Miami Starts the Year with a Franchise-Best Record
In 2012, behind LeBron James' expanded skillset, Miami began the year with a franchise-best 18–6 record, and James was eventually named MVP for the third time.
2012: Developed into a More Versatile Defensive Player
In 2012, while playing for the Heat, LeBron James developed into a more versatile defensive player, and the Heat relied on him to guard all five positions.
2012: Heat's 27-Game Winning Streak
In February of the 2012–13 season, the Miami Heat began a 27-game winning streak, which is the third longest in NBA history.
2013: Surpassed Bryant as the 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: Won Second NBA Championship with the Heat
In 2013, LeBron James won his second NBA championship with the Miami Heat, earning MVP and Finals MVP honors for the second consecutive year.
2013: James Scores Career-High 61 Points
On March 3 of the 2013–14 season, LeBron James scored a career-high and franchise-record 61 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats.
June 25, 2014: James Opts Out of Heat Contract
On June 25, 2014, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat, becoming an unrestricted free agent.
2014: Reported Regression in Defensive Impact
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: 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; he had originally struck a deal to get a small stake in the company at its inception in exchange for promoting its headphones.
2014: Request to Increase All-Star Break Duration
In 2014, LeBron James requested NBA commissioner Adam Silver to increase the duration of the All-Star break, which was granted the following season.
2014: Returned to Cleveland
In 2014, LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat.
2014: Partnered with Arnold Schwarzenegger for Ladder
In 2018, LeBron James partnered with Arnold Schwarzenegger to found Ladder, a company that developed nutritional supplements. This came about after James experienced severe cramps during the 2014 NBA Finals.
February 13, 2015: Elected Vice President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)
On February 13, 2015, LeBron James was elected the first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
2015: James Plays in Fifth Consecutive Finals
In 2015, LeBron James advanced to the NBA Finals for the fifth consecutive time, becoming the first player since the 1960s to achieve this milestone.
2015: Partnership with the University of Akron for Scholarships
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: Starred in Trainwreck and Expanded Uninterrupted
In 2015, LeBron James appeared as himself in the film Trainwreck, receiving positive reviews. Also in 2015, his digital video company Uninterrupted, received $15.8 million in funding from Warner Bros. Entertainment and Turner Sports to expand athlete-created content.
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, LeBron James began to experience subtle age-related declines in productivity, posting his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season.
2015: James Declines Player Option and Re-Signs
In the 2015 offseason, LeBron James declined his $21.5 million player option and re-signed on a two-year, $46.9 million contract.
November 2016: Endorsement and Campaigning for Hillary Clinton
In November 2016, LeBron James endorsed and campaigned for Hillary Clinton for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
2016: James Re-Signs with the Cavaliers
Following the championship, LeBron James again opted out of his contract and re-signed with the Cavaliers on a three-year, $100 million contract in 2016.
2016: Ranked Among the Top Three Defenders in the NBA
From the years 2012–2016, LeBron James was ranked among the top three defenders in the NBA by general managers, earning the vote as the best perimeter defender in the league preceding the 2014–15 NBA season.
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: Won First Championship for Cleveland
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, LeBron James posted his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season.
2016: Became Highest-Paid Player in the NBA
In 2016, LeBron 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: Ranked third highest earning sportsperson
In 2016, LeBron James was ranked the third highest earning sportsperson, 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 LJFF.
2017: Blaze Pizza Investment Value Increased
By 2017, LeBron 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: Received 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."
2017: Executive Produced The Carter Effect
In 2017, at the Toronto International Film Festival, the documentary The Carter Effect, about Vince Carter, was executive produced by LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Drake, and Future the Prince.
February 2018: House Party Film and Laura Ingraham Controversy
In February 2018, LeBron James' production company announced 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, which led to the creation of his Shut Up and Dribble documentary series on Showtime.
June 29, 2018: James opts out of contract with Cavaliers
On June 29, 2018, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers, becoming an unrestricted free agent, signaling a major shift in his career.
July 30, 2018: I Promise School Officially Opened
On July 30, 2018, the I Promise School officially opened in Akron, with LeBron James considering it his most important professional accomplishment.
2018: Signed with the Lakers
In 2018, LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
February 2019: Executive Produced 2 Chainz's Rap or Go to the League Album
In February 2019, LeBron James was the executive producer of rapper 2 Chainz's album Rap or Go to the League, celebrating black excellence and focusing on the power of education and entrepreneurship.
2019: Trademark Attempt for Taco Tuesday Denied
In 2019, LeBron James filed for a trademark on the term "Taco Tuesday" for use in various media and entertainment services, but the request was denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
August 19, 2020: Announced support for Joe Biden's Presidential Campaign
On August 19, 2020, LeBron James announced his intentions to support the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign and that of his running-mate Kamala Harris in advance of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
August 27, 2020: Boycott of 2020 NBA Playoffs to Protest Shooting of Jacob Blake
On August 27, 2020, LeBron James and his Lakers teammates, as well as the Bucks, began boycotting the 2020 NBA playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake.
November 2020: Became Angel Investor of Lobos 1707
In November 2020, LeBron James became an angel investor in the tequila and mezcal company Lobos 1707.
2020: Won Championship with the Lakers
In 2020, LeBron James won another NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams.
March 2021: Assisted in Buying the Atlanta Dream
In March 2021, LeBron James assisted Renee Montgomery in her bid to buy the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. Also in 2021, James joined Fenway Sports Group as a partner, becoming part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, RFK Racing, and Liverpool F.C.
2021: Scholarships for 2,300 children provided with the University of Akron
In 2021, the University of Akron and LeBron James provided scholarships for as many as 2,300 children, as part of the partnership announced in 2015.
June 2022: Launched Hana Kuma Media Company
In June 2022, LeBron James, in partnership with Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter, launched a media company named Hana Kuma, which means "flower" and "bear" in Japanese.
August 2022: Became 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.
August 18, 2022: James signs contract extension with the Lakers
On August 18, 2022, LeBron James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Lakers, solidifying his position as the highest-paid athlete in NBA history.
2022: Appeared in Crypto.com Super Bowl advertisement
During Super Bowl LVI in 2022, LeBron James appeared in a Crypto.com advertisement, where he conversed with a CGI version of his younger self, offering advice about the future.
2022: Crypto.com NFT airdrop campaign and blockchain education partnership
In 2022, Crypto.com launched an NFT airdrop campaign featuring LeBron James, and also partnered with the LeBron James Family Foundation to educate underserved Akron communities on blockchain and Web3 tools.
2022: Desire to play into his forties
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 passes Abdul-Jabbar as all-time leading scorer
On February 7, 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The game was paused for an on-court ceremony where James received the game ball from Abdul-Jabbar and gave a speech.
May 2023: Became the first active NBA player to become a billionaire
According to Forbes, in May 2023, LeBron James became the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, making him one of the richest celebrities.
2023: James enters 2023-24 season
Entering the 2023–24 NBA season, LeBron James switched back to jersey No. 23 from No. 6 in honor of Bill Russell. In November 2023, James became the first player in NBA history to reach 5,000 career turnovers.
2023: Lakers reach Western Conference finals
In 2023, LeBron James led the Lakers to the Western Conference finals after defeating the Golden State Warriors. Although James set his personal playoff record with 31 points in the first half, the Lakers 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 inaugural NBA Cup
In 2023, LeBron James won the inaugural NBA Cup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
January 25, 2024: James named All-Star starter for 20th time
On January 25, 2024, LeBron James was selected as an All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his 20th All-Star selection, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record.
March 2024: Launched Mind the Game Podcast
In March 2024, LeBron James and JJ Redick launched a podcast called Mind the Game, where they have "pure conversations about basketball."
June 2024: Mind the Game Podcast Suspended
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: James re-signs with the Lakers
On July 6, 2024, LeBron James re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year contract. Bronny James, his son, had also been drafted by the Lakers two weeks earlier.
October 22, 2024: Shared the court with son Bronny
On October 22, 2024, LeBron James and his son Bronny shared the court for the first time in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the first father-son duo in NBA history.
October 31, 2024: Support for the 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 in a video posted on social media.
2024: Teamed with Son Bronny in the NBA
In 2024, LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son teammates in NBA history.
2024: Returns to Olympics and wins Gold Medal
In 2024, LeBron James rejoined the national team for 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 and recorded his second Olympic triple double in a comeback win in the semi-final against Serbia with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. James became the first player in Olympic history with two triple doubles. Team USA won their fifth straight gold medal, defeating France 98–87 in the final game. James was named the FIBA Men's Olympics MVP and was selected to the FIBA Men's Olympics All-Star Five.
2024: Ranked as one of the best players in the NBA
Through the 2024-25 season, LeBron 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.
January 3, 2025: James Surpasses Jordan in 30-Point Games
On January 3, 2025, LeBron James scored 30 points against the Atlanta Hawks, surpassing Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games in NBA history. He also passed Dirk Nowitzki for the fourth-most games played in the regular season.
March 4, 2025: James surpasses 50,000 career points
On March 4, 2025, LeBron James surpassed 50,000 career points across the regular season and playoffs during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
March 2025: Mind the Game Season 2 Announced
In March 2025, a second season of Mind the Game was announced with Steve Nash replacing Redick as James' new co-host.
2025: James to be Inducted into Hall of Fame
In 2025, LeBron James is scheduled to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, becoming one of the first NBA players inducted while still active.
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