Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves want LeBron James to keep going. According to ESPN, both Lakers stars are hopeful that LeBron continues his career beyond this season, believing he’s still vital to Los Angeles’ championship chances. While the three stars are at different points in their careers, with LeBron nearing 41 and Doncic and Reaves still in their mid-20s, they’ve embraced their chemistry and want to keep building together.
“As great as James has been, extending his prime well beyond any reasonable actuarial table, there is a natural question as to how his timeline syncs up with the team’s two other best players, both of whom are in their mid-20s. Doncic and Reaves, for their part, love playing with James and want the partnership to continue,” wrote ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Both players have not inquired with James about when he plans to retire, sources said, wanting to show respect for James’ process. Doncic, who idolized James growing up, has enjoyed their partnership and believes James is vital to L.A.’s ability to win now.”
LeBron’s future has become increasingly uncertain. For the first time in his career, he’ll be playing on an expiring contract this season that will end with him becoming an unrestricted free agent. At 40 years old, James has never been closer to retirement and there’s a growing sense he may only have a couple of years left in the pros (at most).
Even if he does stick around past 2026, it may not be with the Lakers. As the franchise has pivoted toward Luka Doncic, LeBron’s needs have come secondary and it’s created a rift between him and the front office. This summer, amid so much doubt and uncertainty, LeBron himself was the subject of trade rumors as fans and insiders began to sense that he was on bad terms with the organization.
Unlike in previous seasons, the Lakers are not LeBron’s team anymore. The future belongs to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and if LeBron James isn’t cool with that, he may be better off spending his last playing days somewhere else. For what it’s worth, both Doncic and Reaves want to keep playing with LeBron and pick up where they left off back in April. In that stretch, there were signs that this arrangement could work.
In just half a season together, LeBron, Luka, and Reaves managed to win 50 games for the Lakers to secure the third seed in the West. While they were ultimately bounced out in the first round, they like their chances going into this season with that same trio and a vastly improved supporting cast that now includes Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia.
LeBron’s future might be uncertain, but his influence on this Lakers team is undeniable. Doncic and Reaves see him as both a leader and a bridge to something greater, and that mutual respect could be what keeps the Lakers competitive through the transition ahead. Whether this is the beginning of LeBron’s farewell or another chapter in his historic career, Los Angeles knows its window to win is still wide open with him in the mix.
