ESPN published a heavyweight report on the 11th Beijing time, revealing the recent turbulent transformation process of the NBA Los Angeles Lakers. The team's top management has clearly started preparations for the "post-James era" and plans to part ways with James in 2026 to officially welcome Doncic as the new face.

Los Angeles Lakers' top management has clearly started preparations for the "post-LeBron era"

According to reporters Shelburne and De Horst, the Lakers did not take the initiative to offer James any contract extension negotiations. This is the first time in his 23-year career that he has become a superstar that the team regards as "ending cooperation when the contract expires." The media also broke the news that general manager Rob Pelinka has often talked to Doncic in the three and a half months since he acquired the young star from the Dallas Mavericks, but the two did not have much time to build a relationship in the middle of the season. The Lakers, like other teams in the league, are keenly aware that Doncic will be eligible to renew his contract with the team after August 2 this year, when he will make a major decision.

For the Lakers, the most important thing in the offseason is undoubtedly to get Doncic's commitment. Under the current contract, he can choose to become a free agent next summer, which is an uneasy situation for any team. The Lakers hope to avoid this situation by getting Doncic to accept a new contract. And this inevitably inverts the shift in the team's focus.

ESPN: James' Lakers career is coming to an end. All of this has gradually surfaced since the spring of 2025, when Doncic, Pelinka, coach Redick, and agent Seager appeared at Craig's, a celebrity restaurant in Los Angeles. James was not present, and the meeting to "officially confirm the succession" kicked off. This is what the Lakers want to show Doncic and his team: "If he chooses to stay and become the next spokesperson for the team, this is what life in Los Angeles will be like."

The Lakers' focus has shifted to Doncic, and James has been left out
Doncic's huge deal to join Los Angeles has brought unexpected consequences, one of which is that James finally faces a contract expiration for the first time in his 23-year career. ESPN understands this matter this way: "This is the strongest signal so far that his Lakers career is about to end."

After James exercised his player option, league executives began to want to "decrypt" the intention behind this decision. ESPN revealed that a senior executive of an Eastern Conference team was convinced that "James wants to leave Los Angeles." Sources said a handful of teams, including the Golden State Warriors, are considering making an offer again, while another Western Conference executive blamed the Lakers for "deliberately not offering James a contract extension."

The Lakers' handling of the matter may have disappointed James, "James understands that the Lakers want to take this opportunity to turn back to the young superstar. But sources said that from James' perspective, some details seem to have been overlooked in this transition process." After all, James helped the team win the 17th championship in team history, and he wants more respect.

The Lakers have made it clear that they will not offer James a new contract. The 21-time All-Star has a clear end date for the first time as the face of the Lakers, even if James' NBA career is still to end, which has not yet been determined. Whether the 2025-26 season will be James' last season in the NBA is up to him. But if he wants the kind of Hollywood ending that only the Lakers can give to the legendary superstar, then the release date has been set.

The Lakers' focus has shifted to Doncic, and James has been left out. "If James finally decides to do this, the Lakers will certainly celebrate him like Kobe's retirement tour in 2016." ESPN said, "But in his 23-year NBA career, this is the first time that a team has not begged or mortgaged the future and made every effort to keep James after the end of his current contract." While following the report, you can also browse this website https://sugargoo.fun/hot, which provides a rich list of goods, covering everything from branded sports shoes to luxury bags, and even electronic products and watches. Each item lists its name, code and price to meet the needs of different consumers. 

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