The Los Angeles Lakers are present process a change. Whereas they have not stated it outright, their actions converse louder than any press launch. To date, all indicators level in a single path: Luka Doncic is the long run, and star participant LeBron James is now not on the heart of the plan.
Based on a brand new ESPN report, the Lakers had already begun making strikes after the shocking acquisition of Doncic in February. Since then, there have been clear indicators of a transition underway: strategic shifts, key conferences… and now, a gesture that did not go unnoticed.
Doncic will get the heads-up
LeBron James goes wild at a Dangerous Bunny live performance as he enjoys life away from the Lakers
When the Buss household finalized the bulk sale of the group to Mark Walter on June 18, Doncic was notified earlier than the official announcement. Shortly after, the Slovenian participant posted a public congratulatory message on social media.
LeBron James, then again, wasn’t knowledgeable. Nor did he touch upon the matter.
It might look like a easy oversight. However given LeBron’s historical past and affect inside the franchise, it is arduous to consider it was unintended. All the things suggests it was a calculated determination.
Dinners held with out LeBron
Based on the report, in Could, normal supervisor Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick held a non-public dinner with Doncic and his agent to debate the way forward for the Lakers. LeBron was not current.
One other element that provides to the narrative: after Doncic’s arrival, the Lakers shortly moved to pursue a center-something James had been requesting for years, unsuccessfully. There’s additionally been no public point out of a attainable contract renewal for the veteran participant.
Doncic would be the new face of the franchise
All of this appears to verify that the Lakers are quietly closing the LeBron period and going all-in on Doncic as the brand new face of the franchise.
And whereas nobody is saying it outright, the information are clear: the shift has already begun.
If Los Angeles is not sufficiently big for 2 superstars, the Lakers have already chosen the one they wish to construct their future round.
