The Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic signaled a seismic shift in the franchise’s direction, securing their next generational superstar.
But, it also raised eyebrows within LeBron James‘ camp, as the organization’s rapid response to Doncic’s trade requests stood in stark contrast to how they handled James’ own desires over the past several seasons.
James has long advocated for the Lakers to make win-now moves, particularly in the twilight years of his career. While the franchise previously honored his demands—most notably by acquiring Anthony Davis in 2019 and Russell Westbrook in 2021—the last two seasons saw a different approach, with the front office prioritizing future assets over immediate contention.
Now, with Doncic in the picture, the Lakers’ sudden willingness to be aggressive in trades has led to speculation about a double standard in how the organization operates.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, it was “not lost” on James’ camp that Rob Pelinka quickly acted on Doncic’s request to acquire center Mark Williams, initiating a trade for the Charlotte Hornets big man within days of Doncic’s arrival.
For years, James had asked the Lakers to trade draft picks to improve the roster, only to be met with hesitancy as the franchise sought to protect its long-term future.
This sharp contrast in treatment became apparent when Pelinka instantly prioritized Doncic’s involvement in roster decisions, ensuring that his preferences were addressed just days into his Lakers tenure.
For James, who had to fight for every personnel move in recent years, this development raised questions about why the same urgency wasn’t applied when he made similar requests.
To be fair, the Lakers have previously gone to great lengths to satisfy James’ demands. The 2019 trade for Anthony Davis was one of the most significant moves in recent franchise history, gutting the team’s young core and surrendering multiple first-round picks to bring in the All-Star big man.
The franchise followed that up in 2021 by trading for Russell Westbrook, another James-backed move, which ultimately proved disastrous.
However, in the past two seasons, the Lakers shifted their philosophy, opting to preserve future assets instead of making short-term sacrifices. This decision came as James turned 40, with the front office prioritizing the post-LeBron era rather than solely focusing on maximizing his championship window.
While James has voiced frustration over the team’s reluctance to trade future picks, the organization made a calculated decision to preserve its flexibility for the future, knowing that James’ playing career is winding down.
Unlike James, who is nearing the end of his career, Doncic represents the franchise’s future. At just 25 years old, Doncic is viewed as the next long-term face of the Lakers, and the front office is doing everything possible to make him comfortable from the start. This includes giving him influence over personnel decisions, a luxury that James did not have to the same degree.
The reasoning behind this approach is clear: the Lakers cannot afford to lose Doncic in free agency in 2026. By ensuring that he feels valued and included in team-building decisions, they are making a preemptive effort to secure his long-term commitment.
This is why the Lakers aggressively pursued Mark Williams, a player Doncic specifically asked for. However, when Williams failed his physical, the Lakers were forced to rescind the deal, leaving lingering concerns about whether they could effectively build a championship roster around Doncic in time.
Despite the clear favoritism shown toward Doncic, James has remained professional and understands the business side of the NBA. Sources close to James have indicated that while he recognizes the shift in priorities, he also acknowledges that Doncic is the centerpiece of the franchise moving forward.
James has publicly praised Doncic, referring to him as one of his favorite young players in the league. Given that James has spent the majority of his career as the franchise player wherever he has played, he likely understands why the Lakers are prioritizing Doncic’s preferences—even if it comes at the expense of his own influence.
The Lakers now face the difficult task of managing two superstars at vastly different stages of their careers. On one hand, James is still playing at an elite level, chasing his fifth championship while battling Father Time.
On the other hand, Doncic represents the team’s long-term future, and the Lakers must navigate how to build a contender around him while James is still in the mix.
This balancing act will define the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The Lakers must find ways to keep James engaged and competitive while also ensuring that Doncic is set up for sustained success beyond the LeBron era. This could mean making additional win-now moves before the postseason or exploring buyout market options to address roster weaknesses.
The Lakers’ treatment of Luka Doncic versus LeBron James highlights a clear shift in the franchise’s priorities. While James has carried the Lakers to a title and remained their leader for the past six seasons, his influence is waning as the front office prepares for life after him.
Doncic, meanwhile, is being positioned as the new franchise cornerstone, with the Lakers doing everything in their power to secure his long-term future.
For James, this is simply the reality of being a superstar in his 40s. The Lakers will still compete for a championship this season, but their eyes are firmly set on the post-LeBron future. Whether or not James is comfortable with that reality, the Lakers have made their decision—and it’s clear that Doncic is now the top priority in Los Angeles.
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