The Los Angeles Lakers will begin their 2025-26 season without LeBron James, and while his recovery from sciatica has sidelined him indefinitely, it may also give the 40-year-old superstar time to evaluate something much bigger than his health – the direction of the team itself.
James, now entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season, has never been one to tolerate mediocrity. And according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, his absence early in the campaign could set the stage for difficult conversations about his future with the Lakers if the team falters.
“LeBron’s gonna be watching while he’s out,” McMenamin said on NBA Today. “If they are struggling, that could lead to the next step we could see at some point this season.
“Remember what Shams [Charania] was told by Rich Paul, that LeBron will be watching the Lakers’ every move because the priority is to win. If they’re not winning, maybe he’s gonna have to go elsewhere to find that winning combination.”
It’s a rare public signal, but one that echoes a familiar theme in LeBron‘s storied career. When teams around him stagnate, he doesn’t hesitate to apply pressure and at this stage, every remaining season is about chasing one last championship.
Lakers under scrutiny as Doncic steps into the spotlight
While LeBron recovers, the focus in Los Angeles shifts to Luka Doncic, who begins his first full season in purple and gold. The Lakers built their offseason around the Slovenian star, signing Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Deandre Ayton to bolster both ends of the floor.
The goal is clear: build a more complete, defensively sound roster capable of sustaining success even when LeBron isn’t on the court.
“It’s a big change,” Doncic told ESPN. “He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be next man up.”
Doncic, who has embraced leadership duties since his blockbuster trade from Dallas last season, added that his focus remains solely on winning, not on shouldering LeBron‘s absence. “I just want to play basketball,” he said. “If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes for me to get a win.”
Behind the scenes, Lakers management insists there’s no panic despite a tough Western Conference landscape. Team officials are confident that once LeBron returns, Los Angeles can contend for a title. But that optimism may not last if the team slips below .500 early on.
James’ camp has made it clear that his top priority is winning, and while he opted into his $52.6 million player option this summer, that commitment doesn’t necessarily guarantee he’ll finish the season in Los Angeles.
Multiple insiders have hinted that if the Lakers underperform, LeBron could consider seeking a trade to a more immediate contender – a scenario that would send shockwaves across the NBA.
There’s also the long-term question of whether the Lakers‘ roster construction truly aligns with James’ final years in the league. His pairing with Doncic has enormous potential, but it’s also untested. And as Los Angeles eyes a deep playoff run, the pressure to prove this experiment works will only intensify.
For now, LeBron is staying quiet publicly, focusing on recovery while keeping a close watch on how his team performs in his absence.
But as McMenamin and others have suggested, if the Lakers stumble out of the gate, the biggest story of the season might not be LeBron‘s return, it could be whether he ever plays in purple and gold again.
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