The Los Angeles Lakers have a difficult offseason decision to make on LeBron James’ future, but things will be different even if he returns. Head coach JJ Redick convinced him to be the number three option this season behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. It was working swimmingly until both Doncic and Reaves were injured in the same game. That shifted back into LeBron’s team. He won them a playoff series, but fans won’t get to see it again in Los Angeles.
King James averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals playing 38.4 minutes per game in the playoffs. This was after he played the fewest minutes per game and had his lowest scoring average since his rookie campaign in 2004. The superstar who brought LA a title in 2020 returned in the most important games, but it was a short-lived final glimpse for fans.
LeBron is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Lakers didn’t try to extend him. They want to build around their roster around Luka. Fans can’t believe what they are doing to James, but it is time to accept reality.
LeBron James’ Lakers are over
Los Angeles isn’t building around LeBron. He will be the number three option behind Doncic and Reaves if he returns next season. King James is signing up for that role the moment he puts pen to paper. It will likely come with a pay cut and foreign responsibilities for arguably the greatest player of all time.
LeBron proved he can fill it admirably as the Lakers won 16 of 18 from Feb. 28-April 1. He averaged 17.9 points, 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals over that stretch. King James shot 56.0 percent from the field and 38.5 percent on his 3-point attempts. He was touching the ball plenty, but Luka and AR were the top two scorers.
King James was the star for his first six and a half years in Los Angeles, but that changed when they traded Anthony Davis for Doncic. LeBron saw his co-star and close friend leave town without being consulted on the move. As soon as Luka arrived, he had a say in personnel decisions. It was clear for the first time that this wasn’t LeBron’s team.
James still felt like the number two. He was taking the second-most shots and averaged over four more points per game than Reaves. That dynamic flipped this season as AR averaged 23.3 to James 20.9. LeBron is now the Chris Bosh or Kevin Love of his previous trios. With AD, it was two alphas. He stayed in the top two when Doncic arrived, but Reaves finally passed the 41-year-old.
Luka and Austin are the Lakers' stars when healthy. It is their team, and LeBron is the greatest role player in NBA history if he sticks around.
LeBron could look to move on and play a starring role elsewhere. He holds the cards in free agency, but fans witnessed the final moments of James being the Lakers' alpha in these playoffs. He is no longer that man, and will only get to be if Doncic and Reaves are both sidelined. That is unlikely to happen often if ever again.
This is truly the end of an era. LeBron James made the Los Angeles Lakers a contender and champion again after six straight years of missing the playoffs. He got them back to glory and is a Lakers legend. LeBron deserves his flowers, but his time as the star of the purple and gold is done. Luka Doncic is the face of the franchise, and Austin Reaves is his co-star.
If LeBorn returns, he is doing it as the number three. The Lakers have made that clear, and the ball is in King James’ court. Does he want to finish his career in Los Angeles? Fans will soon find out.
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