Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Lakers ‘Want to Get Out of LeBron James’ Business’ Says NBA Insider

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 3:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to pivot away from 2020 Finals MVP LeBron James going forward, claims an insider.

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).

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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.

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.

Lakers Looking to Transition Away from LeBron James

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.

“He recognizes he’s not their priority anymore."@EthanJSkolnick tells @BGeltzNBA and @SamMitchellNBA why LeBron James’ time in LA might be coming to an end soon. pic.twitter.com/srfk4D3PYc
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 9, 2025

"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."

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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.

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.