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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic in action.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ late-game loss to the Orlando Magic may have counted as just another defeat in the standings, but its implications could stretch far beyond Tuesday night.
Following a bizarre finish to the Lakers’ 110–109 loss at Crypto.com Arena — punctuated by a miscommunication between LeBron James and Luka Dončić in the final seconds — league insiders believe the organization is quietly preparing for a future that no longer centers on James.
With James set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, the 41-year-old all-time great could be approaching his final months with the franchise he has played for longer than any other team in his career.
Rival Executives Expect Lakers to Pivot Toward Dončić
According to Bleacher Report salary cap expert Eric Pincus, the leaguewide expectation is that the Lakers’ internal planning has already shifted toward building around Dončić — even if public messaging continues to signal openness to James’ return.
“Plan A for the Lakers, per competing executives and player agents, appears to be moving on from James to build around the younger star, Luka Dončić,” Pincus wrote. “Scouts across the league are skeptical that L.A. can defend well enough with a core of Austin Reaves, Dončić, and James.”
That skepticism has grown as the Lakers navigate roster construction issues tied to age, defense, and overlapping offensive responsibilities at the top of the hierarchy.
Lakers’ Public Support, Private Reality
Publicly, the Lakers have gone out of their way to express respect for James and his legacy.
Team president Rob Pelinka reiterated before the season that the organization would welcome James back if he chose to continue playing.
“Yeah, I expect him to retire as a Laker,” Pelinka told reporters during the press conference marking Dončić’s long-term commitment to the franchise in August. “If he had a chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great.”
Pelinka emphasized that James’ personal timeline remains paramount.
“The number one thing we have to do is respect his and his family’s decision in terms of how long he’s gonna play,” Pelinka said.
Behind the scenes, however, the message has been more measured.
Jeanie Buss Puts Decision on James
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss recently struck a different tone, placing the onus squarely on James during an interview with CNBC.
“He certainly hasn’t given an indication [about coming back],” Buss said. “He’s earned the right to decide how his career will go.”
The comment underscored the growing sense around the league that the Lakers are no longer structuring their long-term plans around James’ presence.
Salary Remains the Biggest Obstacle
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers would still welcome James back for a 24th NBA season — but only under specific financial conditions.
“If James wants to play a 24th season, he would be welcomed back in L.A.,” McMenamin reported. “But his salary would be a major factor in determining exactly what kind of team the Lakers could build.”
James earned $52.6 million this season and would need to accept a significant pay cut to fit into the Lakers’ broader roster plans. While he could chase another championship elsewhere — including with contenders willing to offer a veteran-minimum contract — Los Angeles still represents his clearest path to one more sizable contract, albeit at a reduced figure.
Lakers’ Cap Space Signals New Direction
The complication for James is that the Lakers are projected to open up the largest cap space in the NBA this offseason. That flexibility is expected to be used to reshape the roster around Dončić with younger, defensive-minded players who better align with his timeline and usage.
From the perspective of rival executives, James and Dončić — both ball-dominant creators — represent too much overlap at this stage of their careers.
The miscommunication on the Lakers’ final possession against Orlando only reinforced that perception.
To outside observers, the play symbolized a roster still caught between eras — and a franchise nearing a definitive choice.
An Inflection Point Approaches
James retains full control over his future. The Lakers, however, appear increasingly committed to clarity.
As the offseason approaches, leaguewide expectation continues to build that Los Angeles is preparing for life after LeBron — not out of disrespect, but out of necessity — as it fully turns the page toward the Dončić era.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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