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LeBron James felt Lakers tried to push him out the door after Luka Doncic trade

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason facing major questions around LeBron James’ future after their second-round playoff sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that tensions built internally during the 2025-26 season after the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic and shifted more of the franchise focus toward the younger star.

James, 41, completed his 23rd NBA season after averaging 20.9 points per game while helping the Lakers reach the Western Conference semifinals. Despite injuries to Doncic and Austin Reaves late in the season, James carried the Lakers through the final weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs before Oklahoma City eliminated Los Angeles in four games.

According to McMenamin, frustration between James and the organization surfaced during a March 31 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The victory marked the 1,229th combined regular-season and playoff win of James’ career, moving him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most wins in NBA history. However, Lakers president Rob Pelinka presented the game ball to head coach JJ Redick for his 100th coaching win, rather than to James.

LeBron James Felt Los Angeles Lakers Were Moving Toward Luka Doncic

GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James

McMenamin wrote that James viewed the moment as another example of the organization “taking him for granted.” A source close to James told ESPN the Lakers “tried to ‘push him out the door,’” after acquiring Doncic last season.

McMenamin added that James left Crypto.com Arena “without even stopping to change clothes” and was “simmering from another perceived indignation delivered by the organization.”

The report stated James was also frustrated because he had willingly accepted a reduced offensive role behind Doncic and Austin Reaves during the Lakers’ late-season surge. Lakers coach JJ Redick later praised James for adapting.

“Being challenged to and then volunteering to accept a different role in Year 23,” Redick said. “That is incredible growth.”

The Lakers went 16-2 during a stretch between early March and late April while James played more off the ball alongside Doncic and Reaves. But injuries quickly changed the team’s postseason outlook.

Reaves strained his oblique muscle on April 2 against Oklahoma City, while Doncic suffered a hamstring injury in the same game that sidelined him for the remainder of the playoffs. James then returned to a larger offensive role and helped the Lakers defeat the Houston Rockets in the first round before being swept by the Thunder.

A source close to James told ESPN: “LeBron was the last man standing.”

Rob Pelinka and Los Angeles Lakers Address LeBron James Future

GettyGeneral Manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick

Despite the reported frustrations, both sides publicly downplayed any conflict after the season ended.

“There’s no static from me,” James told ESPN following the Game 4 loss to Oklahoma City.

Pelinka also praised James during the Lakers’ exit interviews.

“We probably haven’t seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game,” Pelinka said. “He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization. And the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back.”

James exercised the final year of his contract instead of negotiating a longer extension with Los Angeles last offseason. His agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN at the time: “LeBron wants to compete for a championship.”

Paul added, “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.”

McMenamin also reported that Lakers officials discussed James’ market value internally as the franchise transitions toward building around Doncic. According to ESPN, league personnel identified the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and LA Clippers as possible destinations if James decides not to remain in Los Angeles.

James said after Monday’s loss that he plans to spend time with his family before deciding on his future.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me, obviously,” James told reporters.