The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to pivot away from 2020 Finals MVP LeBron James going forward, claims an insider. <\/p>\n
During an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Ethan J. Skolnick of 5 Reasons Sports unpacks how L.A. is shifting its mindset from being a team constructed around the four-time league MVP and 21-time All-Star to one that is clearly oriented around five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, who at 26 is closer in age to Bronny James (20) than LeBron (40).<\/p>\n
More news: Lakers Fans React to LeBron James\u2019 Cleveland Return After Schedule Leak<\/a><\/p>\n The Lakers shocked the NBA world in February, when they traded 10-time All-Star center\/power forward Anthony Davis, 3-and-D starting shooting guard Max Christie, and a single future first-round pick in 2029 to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic and reserve big men Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Davis is really a center at this stage of his career, but on Dallas he can once again waste his coaches’ time pretending to be a power forward.<\/p>\n It was a stunning move, and one that instantly reshaped the balance of power in the Western Conference. One of the top squads in the West, hot off a 2024 NBA Finals appearance, slid into the lottery, while the Lakers suddenly opened up their long-term title window. Of course, the Mavericks then lucked into Duke phenom Cooper Flagg by snagging the No. 1 pick, and now their future is pretty bright once again.<\/p>\n Per Skolnick, Los Angeles is open to moving on from Doncic’s best co-star, James, sooner rather than later. James is now playing on an expiring $52.6 million contract, after failing to reach terms with L.A. on a new one-plus-one deal this summer.<\/p>\n \u201cHe recognizes he\u2019s not their priority anymore.”@EthanJSkolnick<\/a> tells @BGeltzNBA<\/a> and @SamMitchellNBA<\/a> why LeBron James\u2019 time in LA might be coming to an end soon. pic.twitter.com\/srfk4D3PYc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “This feels to me like the Lakers want to get out of LeBron James’ business. They want to pivot. He doesn’t like not to be celebrated,” Skolnick opined. “It just feels like he recognizes he’s not their priority anymore, and that’s created some tension, some friction, and that’s why we’ve seen Rich Paul come out and said and [hinted] things in this regard.”<\/p>\n More news: Lakers\u2019 LeBron James Reacts to Shedeur Sanders NFL Debut in Preseason<\/a><\/p>\n James remains an incredibly talented and productive player. Is he the All-Defensive force he had been during his Miami Heat prime? Perhaps not, but he’s still one of the elite offense forces in the game. <\/p>\n His advanced age (he’s been the league’s oldest player for two years running) makes him a perpetual injury risk, and his epic contracts make it hard to build contenders around him.<\/p>\n For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visitLos Angeles Lakers on SI<\/a>.<\/p>\n