The reason why the Lakers reportedly want to move on from LeBron: “Luka Doncic in, LeBron James out”
The Luka Doncic trade was one of the most shocking deals in NBA history. Now it seems that the Los Angeles Lakers are prepping for life after LeBron James.
The wheels seem to already be in motion in the City of Angels. The Los Angeles Lakers saw their opportunity to bring in the superstar for the next generation and they jumped on it.
LA’s legacy of franchise players
It was the shock move of the season, and one of the most unbelievable trades in NBA history. Almost over night Luka Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. Luka was stunned. NBA Insiders were stunned. The entire league was stunned.
It’s almost a necessity in LA. The Lakers need a superstar. Someone to carry the team for a generation or more. They had their franchise guy even back when they were the Minneapolis Lakers with George Mikan. Then the franchise moved to LA, and Jerry West was the star of the show. After that, Wilt Chamberlin came to LA, but they weren’t’ the showtime Lakers yet. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the next up, then Magic Johnson and soon after that came Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Now, it’s Luka and LeBron.
Mikan, West, Baylor, Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq, Kobe, Pau, LeBron, AD, and now Luka.
— Chris Gomes (@StillChrisGomes) February 2, 2025
That’s unbelievable. #Lakers https://t.co/spL57bjWqn
It’s a tradition in LA. They depend on superstars to fill the Forum, the Staples Center or the Cyrpto.com Arena. Whatever the name of the Arena is, it is usually filled to the brim, and many of those games are packed with movie stars, singers and famous people from all walks of life.
LeBron’s release date is “set”
Now it seems like the Lakers are moving on from their latest superstar. LeBron James made become an Angelino after leaving his hometown of Cleveland for the glitz and glamour of LA in 2018. He brought the team their 17th NBA title in 2020 during the Bubble. He became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in a Lakers jersey. Over the last seven years he has cemented his legacy as not only one of the greatest Lakers, but one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Now it seems like the Lakers are ready to pass the torch.
All signs point to the Lakers wanting to move on from LeBron James by the spring of 2026, per @ramonashelburne & @WindhorstESPN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 11, 2025
“The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season. It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star's… pic.twitter.com/IRxU8lxlwv
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According to Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, “The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season. 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 2025-26 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.”
LeBron opted into his player contract this offseason, which in theory will keep him in LA for the next season, but there is still a possibility of him leaving before the season starts. One thing is for sure. Luka Doncic is the star of the future in LA. He has two years on his contact, but he could be in line for a record breaking contract extension, and it could be coming soon.
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