When LeBron James first signed with the Lakers in 2018, he likely imagined it would be the final stop of his NBA career. But after seven seasons with the Purple and Gold, it seems the relationship between LeBron and the Lakers organization has deteriorated beyond what anyone thought possible. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Lakers are now in the early stages of a dramatic breakup with the King.
"One thing I feel pretty good about today, although things can pivot, is that LeBron’s time with the Lakers is beginning to come to an end, you know? They are beginning to move apart," said Windhorst. "You can actually argue that that started when they traded for Luka [Doncic]."
For years, LeBron had complete control and autonomy over the Lakers. He was at the center of every move they made and their vocal leader both on and off the court. Since the trade for Luka Doncic in February, however, things have changed for LeBron. As Windhorst explained, that blockbuster trade took LeBron off guard and put him in unfamiliar territory.
“I know that everybody thought that LeBron was in on that. And I know I said at the time I didn’t believe that. LeBron was not in on it. I don’t know what to tell you. He was not in on it. He wasn’t against it, you know? I think he was shocked that they traded Anthony Davis. But LeBron was not in part of that decision process. I know that there are people who believe that he’s a general manager and you can’t talk them out of it, so I will not try. But that was a move that was away from LeBron as the center of the team.”
Every NBA team has a pecking order, and LeBron has been at the top for pretty much his entire career. With the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers, he was the star of the show and the leading voice of reason. Luka Doncic's arrival, however, has shifted the balance of power.
For the first time in his career, LeBron is no longer the most important member of his team. He's being treated as an expiring contract while the Lakers are focusing everything around Luka's game. After 22 seasons, the Lakers know that James' days in the league are numbered, and it's why he's become an afterthought in their team-building plans.
Unfortunately for LeBron, this arrangement is less than ideal, considering he's still in the business of winning a title. Even at 40 years old, James wants to compete at the highest level, and he's growing impatient with the current situation in Los Angeles.
As his future grows more and more unstable, teams across the league are already preparing for his potential availability. With averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season, LeBron can still deliver at an elite level, and leaving the Lakers now would change the NBA hierarchy for years to come.
Regardless of what happens, the Lakers are Luka's team now, and if James doesn't want to get with that program, he'll be better off somewhere else to spend the rest of his career.
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