Luka Doncic has officially signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, cementing his role as the team’s new centerpiece. The announcement came with a press conference filled with press and fans-everyone, except one of the franchise’s most iconic figures: LeBron James.
King James, who has led the team since 2018, was noticeably absent from the event. Yet behind the scenes, he made his presence felt in a small but telling gesture.
The 40-year-old NBA icon decided to video call Doncic on FaceTime the morning of the announcement to offer his congratulations.
That phone call sent a clear message. While LeBron may be fading from the public spotlight, his acknowledgment reinforces professionalism and respect – an unspoken acceptance of the changing guard.
A quiet shift in the Lakers order
The optics surrounding LeBron’s absence at the press conference were stark. While teammates and Lakers executives applauded Doncic’s extension, LeBron’s no-show fueled speculation about his position within the organization.
Just weeks earlier, Doncic’s agent and Lakers executives had dined publicly without James – a signal that Doncic is now the franchise icon. Immediate clubhouse talk framed the dinner as a symbolic handover, reinforcing the idea that the Lakers are realigning priorities around youth.
LeBron’s own season has mirrored that transition. At 40, he opted into his player option worth $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season, but no extension talks have materialized. Despite being a driving force behind the franchise’s revival in 2018, the Lakers now appear more focused on planning around Doncic’s future.
Sources close to LeBron suggest he has accepted this evolution with grace, per ClutchPoints. One insider noted that LeBron “understood the Lakers taking advantage of an opportunity to pivot,” despite not being actively involved in Doncic’s negotiations or team direction.
According to those sources, he recognizes the franchise is building toward longevity – and that his own role is entering a new phase.
A report also confirmed that LeBron called Doncic directly after the deal was confirmed, ensuring that the gesture was visible even if he was not physically present. That subtle outreach avoided public performance while still affirming support.
Negotiations without LeBron a clear signal
While LeBron contacted him to offer congratulations, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick had paved the way for Doncic to take the franchise forward in discussions that excluded James. That contrast – between private outreach and public absence – captures the complexity of LeBron’s current position: still a leader, but increasingly overshadowed.
As the Lakers prepare for a season built around Doncic, LeBron’s role appears to be shifting. While he remains committed to competing at a high level, the organization’s direction is unmistakably new.
LeBron’s acknowledgment of Doncic’s milestone via FaceTime – but refusal to make a scene – shows restraint and, perhaps, resignation. It’s a quiet acceptance of legacy giving way to legacy in motion.
Fans and analysts will interpret that move differently: as respectful leadership or as a sign that James feels increasingly peripheral. Regardless, the message is clear: Luka Doncic is now center stage, and LeBron has ceded at least that part of the spotlight – on his own terms.
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