When the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off their blockbuster trade in February to bring Luka Doncic to LA, it signaled a major pivot in the franchise’s vision. By sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks and pairing Doncic with LeBron James, the Lakers hoped to extend their championship window while setting up a future built around a younger superstar.
However, that bold move could be coming back to bite them. Speculation about James’ long-term future in Los Angeles has only grown in recent weeks. Per ESPN's Shams Charania, his agent, Rich Paul, openly admitted that James is considering what’s best for his career, leading to rumblings that his time in purple and gold may be coming to an end.
The Lakers’ front office, on the other end, has yet to officially announce his player option decision, further fueling talks that the relationship between the two sides may be more strained than it appears on the surface.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and forward LeBron James speak during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2025.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and forward LeBron James speak during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2025.
Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Now, a new report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne reveals just how James really feels about the Lakers’ recent decision making.
“James understood the Lakers taking advantage of an opportunity to pivot to the younger superstar,” they wrote. “But from James' perspective, nuance was sometimes lost during the transition. Doncic had never asked to be a Laker. James, for his part, had chosen L.A., coming in 2018 when the team had missed the playoffs five consecutive seasons, the worst run for the franchise since it moved from Minneapolis. Two years later, James had helped deliver a 17th championship.”
Additionally, James was reportedly not informed about the Lakers' team sale, yet Doncic was.
"When the Buss family agreed to sell a majority stake in the franchise to Mark Walter on June 18, Doncic was given a heads-up and notably posted a congratulations on social media afterward," ESPN reported. "James was not given the same notice and did not post any public acknowledgement afterward."
This shift has placed LeBron in an unprecedented position: for the first time in his career, under contract on an expiring deal with no extension in sight—while the franchise runs forward centered on Doncic. While James is still under contract with the Lakers, it remains to be seen if the franchise will prefer to keep him beyond next season.
James, 40, averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in his 22nd NBA season.