It appears that the tension between LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers has finally reached a breaking point. According to reports, James has not been pleased with the team’s decision to contact Luka Doncic about offseason plans while keeping him in the dark. Conversely, the Lakers acknowledge that Doncic is their future. However, James is now a victim of the choice. Paul Pierce does, however, think it’s time for LeBron to accept himself.
James is aware that Doncic will be the franchise’s future face, of course. There has traditionally been a passing of the torch when a young player is on a team with another outstanding player.
That process is organic rather than coerced. Keyshawn Johnson stated on Speak on Fox Sports:
“20-something years in the league being King James,” “I’m not just going to all of a sudden pass the torch.”
“They’re trying to help transition LeBron to the bald head stage,”. “LeBron, if you’re listening, this is what I need you to do. I need you to go to the bathroom. Grab those clippers. Close your eyes, and just go straight down the middle. It’s time to let it go. It’s time to give up the keys to Luka,”
It is necessary to have a discussion about whether the Lakers are morally righteous for excluding James from their future ambitions. He did, after all, voluntarily join the Lakers in 2018 and helped them become relevant, winning an NBA championship in 2020. Did they need to involve him in these discussions? Most likely.
That they didn’t is the truth of the matter. If James were still in his mid-30s, this would be a whole different situation. In December, he will turn 41. Retirement is rapidly approaching.
