According to a report by Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ shareholders had doubts about LeBron James’ role in the team’s new hierarchy under coach JJ Redick.
Writing for The Athletic, Woike and Amick reported that Redick asked James to take a step back in favor of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves running the offense:
“While James publicly would say he’d do whatever necessary to help the Lakers win, the team’s stakeholders were still unsure about how he’d handle the new hierarchy. Making this work, they thought, would be difficult.”
The Lakers’ change in play produced strong results, with them posting a 15-2 record in March while also being ranked in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rankings. Their promising run did not last long, with Reaves and Doncic both sustaining injuries.
Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring sprain and Reaves picked up a Grade 2 left oblique strain against the OKC Thunder on April 2. They missed the rest of the regular season with their injuries. Reaves returned in Game 5 of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Doncic, meanwhile, did not heal in time to participate in the playoffs. The Thunder completed their sweep of the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals on Monday, grabbing a 115-110 win in Game 4.
Lakers coach JJ Redick deflects question on LeBron James’ future after playoff exit
Speaking after the Lakers’ Game 4 loss against the Thunder, coach JJ Redick did not reveal much when questioned on the potential timeline of James’ impending future decision.
“I haven’t even thought about that. We’ll deal with the offseason in the offseason, which is the next two months,” Redick said.
With the Lakers’ season now being over, James’ contract with the team has also ended. He will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. At 41, it remains unclear whether James will sign another contract or hang up his shoes ahead of the 2026-27 season.
He played 60 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, shooting 51.5%, including 31.7% from 3-point range.
Read More: Is This LeBron James’ Last Season?
