Why The Dynamic Between LeBron James And The Lakers Was Complicated

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with the media during Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 29, 2025 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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The partnership technically produced results that you would want with any star signing.

LeBron James helped end the Los Angeles Lakers’ worst stretch in franchise history (2014-2018). He guided them to an NBA championship (2020). He led them to two Western Conference Finals (2020, 2023) out of six playoff appearances in eight seasons. He defied Father Time with his enduring play and training. He eclipsed Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He dominated and adapted with his role amid a fluid roster.

And yet James’ eight years with the Lakers seemed more complicated to assess. If only it were as simple as just analyzing the bottom-line results. No doubt, the Lakers and James operated in a transactional way with each other. But that kind of partnership also spawned because of their circumstances both with their alliance and everything that happened afterwards.

That’s why it doesn’t seem surprising that James informed the Lakers on Tuesday that he would neither prolong his NBA career with the Lakers nor retire as one. James plans to play his 24^th NBA season elsewhere. I had argued the Lakers had always been the best realistic option available from both a monetary and roster construction standpoint. But it makes sense if James wants a farewell tour in his third stop in Cleveland. It also makes sense if James wants to join a previously hated Finals opponent (Golden State) so he can have fun with a former Olympic teammate (Stephen Curry) and an adversary-turned friend (Draymond Green). All of that seems reasonable, even when accounting for the drastic paycut, family distance and flawed rosters.

The Lakers could pay James the most money. But their priorities would rightfully center on their next generational star (Luka Dončić). James could adjust his role as he did with production and minimal complaint as he did last season. But despite his respect for Dončić’s talent and work ethic, James naturally would feel less comfortable with Dončić’s ball-dominance for better and for worse. Given that dynamic, James could find more fulfillment and a better ending to his NBA career. The Lakers have to prove it with execution, but they also have the potential to construct a better team around Dončić much more effectively without James.

Despite those varying agendas, both parties kept their departure respectful. James alerted the Lakers with enough forewarning before free agency officially begins on Tuesday evening about his future plans. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss tweeted a gratitude-filled message about James. She told me three years ago that the Lakers will retire James’ jersey following his inevitable Hall-of-Fame induction, regardless of where his NBA career ended. Even with the Buss family since selling the majority share of the team, I would expect the Lakers follow through on that promise. In turn, James also tweeted out a heartfelt tribute.

So why did the dynamic between James and the Lakers feel awkward both through their successes and shortcomings?

Some of the disconnect seemed inevitable.

The Lakers sought James because of his enduring stardom after carving out enough cap space and developing enough young talent when he became a free agent in 2018. By then, James already delivered Cleveland an NBA champion and did all he could against a Warriors team featuring Curry, Green, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala. Though James arrived as the Lakers’ savior following their worst stretch in franchise history, he hardly built the same equity as the organization’s home-grown legends (Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant). Lakers fans often fully embrace a winning star, but only after the moment happens. Meanwhile, the Lakers showed early they would follow their own agenda. After the Lakers and Luke Walton parted ways during James’ first season, the Lakers declined to hire James’ former coach in Cleveland (Tyronn Lue) because of a dispute over contract length and influence over his staff.

James eventually delivered in only his second season with the Lakers in the 2019-20 campaign. James excelled immediately with Anthony Davis after pushing the Lakers to acquire him. James gave a heartfelt speech to Lakers fans before the first game following Bryant’s tragedy. He led the Lakers to a 2020 NBA title with another Finals MVP performance along with strong chemistry with Davis and his supporting cast. James fulfilled this job description while playing in the campus bubble without fans during a global pandemic without any physical connection to the outside world.

Yet, some of the disconnect seemed circumstantial.

James surely would have cemented a stronger bond with the Lakers franchise and their fanbase had that championship season taken place during a more conventional season. James could have delivered the Lakers’ 17^th NBA title in front of Lakers fans. He could have basked in a championship parade around Los Angeles. Though the Lakers lost the following season in the first round, James at least could have experienced the same afterglow throughout that season had more than a limited number of fans were allowed to attend home playoff games.

But things became more complicated with the actual team following the Lakers’ NBA title run. The Lakers immediately broke parts of their championship team in hopes to bolster their depth, but the plan backfired. The Lakers went all in on acquiring Russell Westbrook the following year, which yielded a missed playoff appearance amid a poor fit and overlapping injuries on a veteran-laden team. Publicly, the Lakers have always taken ownership of the move. Privately, James and the Lakers viewed each other’s influence over that move differently. The Lakers’ version: they nearly acquired Buddy Hield in a deal, only for James to advocate for Westbrook in the final hour. James’ version: he presented the Lakers’ front office with various options, including Westbrook, Damian Lillard and DeMar DeRozan. While it’s typical for star players to talk with the front office about potential deals, the organization has to make the final decision and take ownership of it.

Regardless, that moment contributed to more subtle tension.

Even with the Lakers’ struggling season in 2021-22, they did not feel compelled to make any moves ahead of the trade deadline. The Lakers didn’t find a valid reason to squander their draft capital to improve a team they felt should compete for an NBA title (if healthy). Meanwhile, James floated the idea publicly about ending his career in Cleveland and publicly praised the LA Rams for dealing draft picks to ensure a Super Bowl-contending team. James contended he wasn’t taking shots at the Lakers. He maintained confidence in the Lakers’ front office. He stressed he wants to stay with the Lakers’ “as long as I can play.”

Nonetheless, James repeatedly referred questions about the personnel decisions to Pelinka since then. Though James always wanted the Lakers to make win-now moves to increase his chances to win an NBA title, he vowed not to advocate for any specific trades or free-agent signings. The Lakers made new coaching hires in 2022 (Darvin Ham) and in 2024 (JJ Redick) partly with James in mind, but that also contributed to more adjustments. Yes, the Lakers eventually drafted Bronny James with their No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which ensured his dream to play on the same NBA team with his son. But before and after that move, the Lakers made moves that fit their timeline, not James’.

That philosophy helped the Lakers reach the 2023 Western Conference Finals following a 2-10 start and 13^th-place standing leading into the trade deadline. They traded an injury-prone guard (Kendrick Nunn) and two second-round picks to Washington for a promising wing (Rui Hachimura). They dealt Westbrook in a three-team trade for a better playmaker (D’Angelo Russell), a respectable shooter (Malik Beasley) and a strong interior defender (Jarred Vanderbilt). But after seeing James and Davis performs better with roster depth than a third star, the Lakers abstained from pursuing Kyrie Irving the following offseason. Still, James reiterated on his 40^th birthday that “it’s still the plan” to retire as a Laker.

“I would love for it to end here,” James said on Dec. 30, 2024. “That would be the plan. I came here to play the last stage of my career and to finish it off here. But I’m also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well, to know the business of basketball. But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. And hopefully, I don’t got to go nowhere before my career is over.”

That dynamic changed just over a month later once the Lakers unexpectedly acquired Dončić from Dallas for Davis, a role player (Max Christie) and one first-round pick (2029). James conceded he felt shocked over losing Davis. But he also publicly embraced playing with Dončić and would adjust his role willingly. Not only did that change James’ place on the depth chart. The Lakers also prioritized everything around Dončić. Understandable. Though James still played at an All-Star caliber level throughout his Lakers’ tenure, he also endured numerous injuries and could no longer carry a franchise like he once could. Dončić has already become one of the NBA’s next generational stars in talent and popularity.

So after James exercised his $52.6 million player option to stay with the Lakers last summer, agent Rich Paul released a statement to ESPN and The Athletic that sparked league-wide speculation about James’ intentions. Some contended James doesn’t think the Lakers have the same priorities to contend for an NBA title in the 2025-26 season. Some believed James took offense the Lakers

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said in the statement. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie and Rob and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

A year later, both the Lakers and James expressed support for each other filled with respect and gratitude for their partnership. It became clear both parties seemed ready to move on, even if a renewed partnership could have yielded more benefits. Hence, it seemed a fitting end to a productive yet complicated relationship.