Insiders explain how the relationship between James and the Lakers broke down, originating from Luca s joining the team

Rumors about LeBron James' trading in the 2025 offseason are getting worse and worse. Many fans and media even believe that LeBron and James may really part ways with the Lakers this time. Since joining the Lakers in 2018, LeBron James and the Lakers have always had a harmonious relationship.

However, in the past two seasons, the Lakers have refused to strengthen the lineup according to LeBron James's requirements, and the relationship between the two sides has gradually broken down. You should know that LeBron James played for the Lakers for 7 seasons, leading the team to the Western Conference Finals twice. In 2020, he led the team to the Finals and won the NBA championship.

Now, the relationship between LeBron and James and the Lakers is not only drifting away, but can be said to have deteriorated beyond our imagination. According to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a dramatic parting stage of LeBron James.

Brian Windhorst said, "One of the things I feel very good today is that LeBron's time with the Lakers has begun to end, you know? They started to separate, and in fact, you can say that it started with their trade in Luca."

LeBron James has been the core figure of the Lakers over the years and the player with the most say. The Lakers have always wanted Anthony Davis to replace LeBron James, but they have failed to do it. It all started to change after they decided to trade Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and then let Luka Doncic replace LeBron James.

Because the Lakers did not inform LeBron James in advance about Anthony Davis's deal for Luka Doncic. As the core leader of the team, according to the NBA's unspoken rules, the team will tell them in advance what the team will do next. Obviously, the Lakers ignored LeBron James' feelings. After all, LeBron James has always been a player who wants to be respected by others. Faced with disrespect from the management, LeBron James naturally will not cooperate with them.

"I know everyone thinks LeBron is one of them. I know I said at the time that I didn't believe it. LeBron was not involved. I don't know how to tell you that he was not involved, he didn't object, you know? I think he was shocked by their dealings with Anthony Davis, but LeBron was not involved in the decision-making process. I know that some people think he is a general manager and you can't convince them, so I won't try it, but it's a move away from LeBron as the center of the team."

For LeBron James, sending Anthony Davis away is equivalent to ruining his final hope of winning the championship. Because we can see that the teams winning the championship in the past few seasons have all had a top space-type No. 5 player. They have two superstars, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, and just need to strengthen a great defender and take a blue-collar center to get Anthony Davis back to the fourth position, just like in the 2019-20 season.

However, after obtaining Luka Doncic, the Lakers' back defense was as poor as ever, and there was no reinforcement measure after the center position became weaker. In the first round of the playoffs, 40-year-old LeBron James was also allowed to play in the No. 5 position. For LeBron James, the Lakers' behavior, to put it simply, is forcing LeBron James to leave the team.

In the 2024-25 season, LeBron James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. With his current state, there is no shortage of suitors. You should know that LeBron James can play for at least 2 seasons. If he joins other teams and holds a retired tour season, he can bring at least hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to the other party. Therefore, LeBron James still has enough confidence to part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers.