It has been an interesting offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. For the first time in his career, James is not the face of the franchise. That title now belongs to Luka Doncic after the blockbuster mid-season trade brought the superstar to Los Angeles.
LeBron may very well still be the face of the NBA, but it appears as if he is second-fiddle in the City of Angels.
A new report is now signaling that the end of the LeBron James’ Era with the Lakers is seemingly imminent.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne and Brian Windhorst detailed the events that have transpired throughout the offseason, signifying a shift in the organization. A shift away from LeBron James and towards Luka Doncic.
“The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season,” writes the ESPN duo. “It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star’s time as the face of the Lakers had, for the first time, a planned end date, even if James’ record-setting NBA career did not yet.
Whether the 2025-25 season is to be James’ final season in the NBA is up to him. But if he wanted the kind of Hollywood ending that only the Lakers can give legends of the game, the release date was set. Spring 2026. Luka Doncic in, LeBron James out.”
Could The Los Angeles Lakers Trade LeBron James Before His Contract Expires?
James is under contract with the Lakers for this season. With James and Doncic, the Lakers will be a competitive team. Pair them with the additions of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, plus they still have last year’s talent of Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura.
This is actually a really good roster. They will have the potential to compete for an NBA title this year and send LeBron James off into the Los Angeles sunset.
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However, if things do not click, it is very possible that the Lakers will deal James to a contender at the NBA Trade deadline. This would help them recoup a ton of assets to build around Doncic in the coming years.
- LeBron James 2024 Stats: 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists
The Golden State Warriors were very serious about trying to trade for James last year. Would they be interested again? Would the Rockets try to go all-in at the deadline and pair James with new addition Kevin Durant? The Nuggets have a new head coach and new management. James and Joker?
The Lakers will have plenty of suitors if they so choose, but the best option is to go on a title run and have LeBron James retire as a member of the Purple and Gold.
Either way, it appears as if this season will be James’s last with the Lakers.