The excitement of the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Luka Doncic is not likely to wear off any time soon for Lakers fans. Doncic is set to be under the massive media spotlight of Los Angeles for quite some time. However, as a result of the hype around the new superstar for the Lakers, a pivotal discussion about the other is being ignored.
It almost feels crazy to refer to LeBron James as 'the other guy' in Los Angeles. Considering the point in their careers that both players are in, it feels more forgivable to think of James as the less important of the two. Despite that, the Lakers organization and their fans should not ignore how much power LeBron holds over their team's future in the upcoming offseason.
The King holds all the cards, as usual
There have been several key areas of focus when it comes to the 2025 NBA offseason that have received heavy coverage since Doncic's trade from the Dallas Mavericks. The biggest talking point has undoubtedly been the extension options for the 25-year-old superstar.
This feels fair as a central focus. Doncic represents both the present and the future of the Lakers' franchise. Ensuring the versatile superstar is in Los Angeles for as long as possible will allow the Lakers to always be at the forefront of the title picture in the NBA.
After the Mark Williams' trade rescinded due to the Charlotte Hornets failing to meet a condition of the deal, the need for a new big man in Los Angeles has taken the secondary spotlight to Doncic for this upcoming offseason. With Jaxson Hayes slotted in as the team's starting center, that also makes this a justifiable point of concern and coverage.
All that being said, the fact that James has a player option for the 2025-26 season has been woefully pushed aside as a focal point of the Lakers' offseason. The good news for fans in Los Angeles would be Brian Windhorst of ESPN reporting, "James hasn't wavered on his desire to finish his career with the Lakers." However, as Windhorst would point out after, "His situation still must be settled."
The four-time NBA champion was blindsided by the Doncic trade just like everyone else. "I was out with my family at dinner and got the news and the first time I heard it I thought it was for sure fake," James said. The deal sent his former championship-winning superstar teammate, Anthony Davis, packing out of Los Angeles.
One would imagine that having Doncic as his new running mate is not a fate that James thinks is too severe. However, being left out of the conversation is something that a player of LeBron's stature is not used to. As such, it is still important to highlight that James is one opt-out decision away from potentially reshaping the NBA landscape this offseason by picking a new destination for the final years of his career.
There is no reason to panic about this. However, being completely dismissive of the possibility would only make the potential decision that much more of a shock, if it happens.