The Lakers' decision to trade for Luka Doncic – without informing LeBron James – reportedly marked the moment the franchise stopped being built around him and began planning for its future without him.
The Los Angeles Lakers' decision to trade for Luka Doncic without informing LeBron James beforehand reportedly could have marked a major turning point in their relationship with the four-time NBA champion.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, James' eventual departure from Los Angeles was not surprising because the Lakers stopped being built around him once they acquired Doncic and established a new direction for both the present and future.
"I wasn't surprised that the final chapter would occur outside of Los Angeles," Woike wrote. "The Lakers were the team he played for, but they were no longer his team."
"That changed the night they traded for Doncic (and didn't tell James) and gave themselves a clear direction for the present and future."
James learned about trade after it happened
The Lakers completed one of the most shocking deals in NBA history in February 2025, acquiring Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.
James was not consulted or notified before the agreement was completed.
He later revealed that he learned about the trade while having dinner with his family in New York and initially believed the news was fake.
"The first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake," LeBron said at the time. "I thought it was a hoax."
The reality began to sink in only after Davis contacted him directly and the transaction became public. James described the move as unlike anything he had experienced during his lengthy NBA career.
Credit AP-Scanpix
Doncic became Lakers' clear priority
Acquiring Doncic gave Los Angeles a younger franchise centerpiece capable of leading the team well beyond the end of James' career.
LeBron initially remained an important part of the roster, but the balance of power had clearly shifted. He later acknowledged that he needed to adapt his game around Luka as the Lakers worked to develop their partnership.
Over the following year, Los Angeles increasingly treated Doncic as the face of the franchise and its top organizational priority.
The Slovenian guard signed an extension with the Lakers, while the front office shaped its roster around his strengths and long-term future.
LeBron begins final chapter in Philadelphia
James ultimately ended his eight-season Lakers tenure and signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of his record-extending 24th NBA season.
The 41-year-old described the move as his "last decision," choosing Philadelphia because he believed the team offered him an opportunity to compete for a fifth championship.
James left Los Angeles after delivering the franchise's 2020 championship and averaging 25.9 points, 7.9 assists and 7.7 rebounds across 479 regular-season appearances in a Lakers uniform.
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