Is There Growing Tension Between the Lakers and LeBron James? Where Do They Go From Here?

Lakers media continues to peel back the layers of the ever-evolving relationship between the team and LeBron James. 

It's become pretty clear that the pairing isn't nearly as tight as it once was, with James now clearly playing second fiddle (rightly) to Luka Dončić both in team schemes and roster building strategies. And it's certainly understandable that James wants the Lakers to be as good as they can possibly be this year, because his future extends maybe to next summer, probably not more than a year beyond that, and it's a lot more fun to be playing meaningful basketball than not. 

But the Lakers have to look at the next iteration of the team, going beyond LeBron's time on it. 

So what happens next? Is there a buyout coming? (Likely not, unless the season totally goes in the (bleep), which nobody wants to see.) A trade? Not exactly easy to put together, given LeBron's hefty salary and small list of teams he'd play with. 

But this tension is in many ways an avenue to discuss bigger questions about the direction of the team. Are they really just prioritizing 2026? Or even 2027? To the point they won't take on any real money that would sully their cap sheet? Would they make an aggressive move if the right player -- i.e. a star to pair next to Luka in a post-LeBron world -- presents itself? 

Or are they just spinning and trying to shape the narrative in an offseason that management promised would be very busy, and to this point has not? 

The offseason isn't over, but the questions are getting louder. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: LeBron vs. the Lakers? 

 

SEGMENT 2: What can be done, here? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers really just waiting for cap space to clear up? 

 

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