Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Collin Cowherd Sends LeBron James Major Lakers Warning

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Patrick Warren | Last updated Nov 13, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers received some positive news Wednesday regarding the health status of star forward LeBron James, who returned to practice (albeit with the Lakers' NBAGL affiliate) after missing over three weeks of the regular season.

In James' absence, the Lakers have performed well for the most part, thanks to the stellar play of guards Luka Doncic, who has cemented himself as an MVP candidate, and Austin Reaves, who is playing his way into a lot of money next offseason.

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While James' return should help the Lakers evolve into one of the best offenses in the league, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd views James' role with the team in a different light.

"LeBron's gotta fall in line or leave. This is not Cleveland. And it's not even Miami."@colincowherd says it's clear that LeBron is no longer THE guy for the Lakers pic.twitter.com/FtML64U15b
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) November 6, 2025

Citing unconfirmed sources about James being unhappy regarding his contract situation with Los Angeles, Cowherd said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that the Lakers' are no longer the 21-time All-Star's team.

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"My least favorite quality in men is high maintenance and neediness. I'm not saying that LeBron is doing that but there are those, there is some supposition that LeBron has his feelings hurt because he hasn't been offered an extension," Cowherd said. "I don't know if that's true or not. I think LeBron is smart enough to know the torch has been passed in L.A. ... It's Luka's team. The Lakers don't need LeBron to sell tickets, just like they didn't need Kareem to sell tickets just like they eventually found out they didn't need Shaq to sell tickets."

Doncic is off to a hot start for the Lakers, setting NBA records while averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists through six games.

A Harsh Message for the League MVP

Cowherd's line of thinking has no evidential basis, as James has said nothing indicating that he is unhappy with the Lakers or jealous of Doncic's success. Regardless, Cowherd had a harsh message for the four-time MVP.

"My take away on all of this is that LeBron's gotta fall in line or leave," Cowherd said. "This is not Cleveland and it's not even Miami. It's a pass-the-torch city and when I look at LeBron right now, are his feelings getting hurt a little bit?"

Feelings hurt or not, James will soon have the opportunity to remind the league of his on-court abilities after an extended offseason. James is not expected to return to the Lakers during their five-game road trip, and could possibly make his season debut at home against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 18.