The Los Angeles Lakers have clearly planted their flag as they usher in the Luka Doncic era. With all kinds of different reports swirling, it appears that they are prepared to move on from LeBron James, whether that be this season or once his contract expires at the end of the year.
I don’t think this is crazy of the Lakers, and I think most would agree. As great as James is, and as much as he has meant to the franchise, he is 40 years old and will turn 41 in the middle of the season. He has flirted with retirement for multiple years now, and is undecided on next year as it stands.
Doncic just recently turned 26. It only makes sense to make him the face of the franchise and plan for a LeBron-less future.
What is odd, however, is how they have handled it, essentially excommunicating James.
One NBA Exec went as far as to call their offseason ‘idiotic’ and the fact that they haven’t even announced the fact that James picked up his player option ‘very strange.’
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In speaking with Hoops Wire, a veteran NBA Exec spoke about the fact that the Lakers have yet to officially announce James’ player option being picked up.
“Yeah, usually when a star player like LeBron opts into his contract, the team announces the move. I find this very strange. Something is definitely going on behind the scenes. I mean, the odds of LeBron getting traded are very, very low. His salary is just too high.”
During his time in LA, it has been reported and speculated many times that LeBron James was very influential in many, if not most, of the decisions that the front office made. He was certainly a voice involved in the hiring and firing of coaches.
So this situation certainly is an odd one.
The exec continued.
“But I think LeBron and the Lakers’ front office are butting heads. They haven’t had an impressive offseason at all, and then there are rumors that Rob (Pelinka) is saving cap space for 2027. That’s just idiotic when you have LeBron and Luka.”
While this exec is critical of the Lakers’ offseason, they have improved the roster. They signed both Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton, while retaining Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura (for now).
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Ayton is a very low-risk-high-reward signing. He will be the most talented center they have had since Dwight Howard (if you consider Anthony Davis a PF); they just need to tap into that potential.
On paper, the roster looks good enough to compete for a championship, which should appease James. But all indications are that the two sides are at an uneasy crossroads.
Will it affect this season? Let’s hope not, because as mentioned, James’s $52.6 million salary makes him difficult to trade.
Time will tell.