Traditionally, NBA teams build around their best player – that star calls the shots, recruits teammates, and shapes the roster. For the Los Angeles Lakers, however, this summer marks a significant shift.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, it’s not LeBron James leading the charge, but Luka Doncic.
Luka has actively recruited key players like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart after their surprising free agency buyouts, signaling a new era for the Lakers.
In years past, LeBron was the one pulling strings, shaping teams to his vision. But now? The story barely mentions LeBron, aside from brief references to “drama” and an offhand comment about him training with Luka. This suggests that the Lakers’ future is now more Luka-centric than LeBron-centric.
Luka Doncic, still young and entering his prime, is one of the league’s elite talents – a player who defines a team rather than just leads it. Alongside stars like Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum, Luka is now the Lakers’ foundational star. Simply put, this is Luka’s team.
LeBron’s new role: From top dog to supporting cast
LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever. For nearly two decades, he’s been the best player on his teams, the centerpiece of their success and identity.
Entire franchises revolved around LeBron, building their rosters and strategies to maximize his talents. This focus led to multiple championships and cemented LeBron’s legacy.
But the landscape is changing. Age and the emergence of younger stars have gradually shifted LeBron from the unquestioned leader to one among many stars. While he continues to defy expectations by playing at an elite level close to 40 years old, younger players have risen to take the spotlight.
Anthony Davis once seemed like a viable co-leader for the Lakers, but injuries and his limited playmaking capacity capped his impact. Building around Davis in 2025 no longer makes strategic sense – yet that was the path taken. A questionable decision, to say the least.
The strangest part? Luka is now the driving force behind the Lakers’ roster moves, while LeBron takes a backseat. It’s a role reversal few expected.
LeBron loses grip on Lakers
Luka Doncic, the former franchise cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks, now shaping the Lakers. Meanwhile, LeBron’s role feels diminished, uncertain.
Historically, LeBron and the Lakers were either in sync or in conflict – LeBron vs. coaches, management, or teammates. But now, it feels like the Lakers are fully embracing Luka’s leadership, with LeBron sidelined in the background.
Perhaps behind closed doors, things are aligned perfectly. Maybe LeBron has willingly ceded control. But from an outside perspective, the Lakers appear to be Luka’s team now, and LeBron is along for the ride.
This is a new and unfamiliar dynamic for LeBron – someone who has spent nearly 20 years as the undisputed focal point. Whether it works out remains to be seen, but for now, the Lakers are ushering in a new era, one led by Luka Doncic, with LeBron playing a supporting role.
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