James has played for three different NBA franchises in his 21-year career, including two separate stints with the same franchise.

Here’s a look at how James fared with each of his three clubs.

James started his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who took the Akron native with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

He was one of the most hyped prospects in league history, earning national attention by becoming the first high school underclassman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 16.

James immediately lived up to the hype, averaging 20.9 points per game in his first season and winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors. His scoring average improved to 27.2 points per game in his second season and a career-high 31.4 points per game in his third.

James led the league in scoring average for the only time in his career in 2007-08 with 30.0 points per game. He did not lead the league in total points, however.

James exceeded 2,100 points in six straight seasons from 2004-05 to 2009-10. He accumulated 15,251 points during his first stint with the Cavaliers, averaging 27.8 points per game.

After a four-year hiatus with the Miami Heat, James returned to Cleveland in 2014. He played four more seasons with the Cavs, helping them win their first NBA title in franchise history in 2016.

James scored 7,868 points during this four-year stretch – nearly identical to his point total from his four seasons with the Heat (7,919). His scoring average dropped to 26.1 points per game, however, and he only had one season with more than 2,000 points.

James led the league in total points for the only time in his career during his final season in Cleveland with 2,251 points in 2017-18.

Overall, James recorded more than half of his career points (23,119) with the Cavs and has more than twice as many points as anyone else in franchise history.

Miami Heat

James tallied 7,919 points and averaged 26.9 points per game with the Heat – his fewest with any team. His scoring numbers dipped slightly during these years as he had to share the ball with fellow superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

That said, James’ scoring numbers were remarkably consistent during these four seasons, as he averaged between 26.7 and 27.1 points each year.

James’ sacrifice paid off, as Miami made the NBA Finals in all four of his seasons and won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

James also became a more efficient scorer during these seasons, improving his 3-point shot and his post game. James shot 54.3% from the floor and 36.9% from deep with the Heat – both his highest marks with any team.

The improved shooting helped James finish top-3 in MVP voting during all four of his seasons with Miami, including back-to-back wins in 2012 and 2013.

Los Angeles Lakers

James left Cleveland again in 2018 to join his third franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers. After dominating the Eastern Conference for his entire career, James was ready for a new challenge in the Western Conference.

James has spent the past six seasons in LA, winning his fourth title in the bubble in 2020.

His total scoring numbers have declined as he’s lost more time to rest and injuries. James has missed at least 10 games in four of his first five seasons out west (excluding this year) and has yet to score 1,700 points in a season with the Lakers after reaching that benchmark in 13 of his first 15 seasons.

However, James has continued to age gracefully and remained an efficient scorer. He’s averaged 27.0 points per game with Los Angeles, just below his career average of 27.1.

His best scoring average with the Lakers was in 2021-22 when he averaged 30.3 points per game at age 37 – his third season over 30 points per game and first since 2007-08.

James has 8,888 points and counting with Los Angeles.