What’s going on with LeBron James?

Luka Doncic re-signed with the LA Lakers earlier in the month, and the heavyweights of the Los Angeles board were present at the event which included some of the playing staff including the recent signings of DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart.

The event offered a way to show a united front, to give a sense of team spirit, and to let everyone know that unity was the daily bread of an organization that desperately seeks to recover the glory of the past and return to those better days.

The Slovenian is seen as a driving force in the Lakers future successes and for that reason the franchise were quick to ensure the point guard’s continuity and make him the new hero of the City of Lights. However, one leading name was conspicuous by his absence with LeBron James absent from the ceremony.

The King’s summer has been, to put it mildly, unusual. Initially, there was a lot of talk about him leaving the Lakers, and a possible return to the Cleveland Cavaliers to end his glory days, but these rumors faded along with the stars presence in the public eye, with all eyes on Doncic’s renewal.

The situation relating to LeBron remains unprecedented: he’s always been the center of attention, the one who mattered most, and the one pulling the strings. But now, it seems that the Lakers have decided to place Doncic on centre stage relegating LeBron to the shadows. This is understandable from a business perspective, since James is about to turn 41 and is winding down his sports career, while his current teammate is in his theoretical prime, and the Lakers’ plan is for him to be with them for a long time.

With so much speculation rife, journalist Marc Stein offered some detail with the information probably coming from the veteran player’s entourage, stating. “LeBron and his son Bronny James were not present at the press conference, but I’ve been told that LeBron FaceTimed Doncic on Saturday morning to congratulate him on his new contract. Austin Reaves, meanwhile, is in Asia on a promotional tour for his signature Rigorer sneakers,” he said, also mentioning and excusing the absence of the aforementioned Reaves. The explanation doesn’t fully resolve the situation and does cast certain doubts on LeBron’s relationship with Doncic... and also with the LA franchise.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka also stated: “Every interaction we’ve had with LeBron, and Rich Paul in particular, has been positive and supportive. If he has the opportunity to retire as a Los Angeles Lakers player, that would be fantastic.” That is to say, it’s no longer a top priority for the Lakers for LeBron to retire in a Lakers jersey.

This narrative has changed (a lot) compared to past seasons, especially considering that LeBron is set to play his eighth consecutive season with the franchise in yellow and purple, staying in the same place longer than ever.

But the acquisition of Doncic changed everything. The Angels are now turning their attention to a new star, looking to the future, and no longer believing it essential for a player on his way to 41, no matter how much of a legend he is, to remain tied to the team. A star who, for the first time, only has a one-year contract, and whose future remains unknown.

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