LeBron James’ Future with the Lakers Receives ‘Definitive’ Update

When the Lakers shockingly acquired Luka Doncic a year ago, fans knew the purple and gold had secured their next face of the franchise. But as the team operates on two timelines this season, it seems LeBron James’ Hollywood ending could come sooner rather than later.

LeBron James’ Future with the Lakers Receives ‘Definitive’ Update

Jake Fischer: LeBron, Lakers “Ready to Move On”

In his Bleacher Report livestream Monday afternoon, NBA insider Jake Fischer discussed the Lakers’ lack of aggression ahead of the trade deadline and the team’s desire for cap flexibility this summer. He then delivered the harsh yet expected reality regarding LA’s relationship with LeBron:

“Definitively, the Lakers are ready to move on from LeBron James and I think LeBron James is ready to move on from the Lakers as well. That’s kind of the foregone sentiment in Los Angeles right now about what’s to come this summer.”

The 22-time All-Star is in his eighth season in LA, marking his longest single stint with a franchise. And although he has etched his name into Laker lore and further cemented a legendary career, it’s abundantly clear that this partnership has run its course.

With the Lakers potentially standing pat this year—despite having over $40 million in expiring contracts on the table—it’s yet another example of the front office’s mismanagement in the LeBron era, and a glaring factor behind why both sides have gotten to this point. With mere days before the Feb. 5 deadline, the Lakers remain a borderline bottom-five defensive team while continuing to struggle with bench scoring—areas that could’ve been addressed by now with one or two meaningful moves.

Such inactivity has led fans to vehemently air their grievances about Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, proving that the weather isn’t the only thing heating up in LA.