Brian Windhorst Reports Lakers Planning to Pivot From Lebron by Spring 2026

After causing jaws to drop to the floor and making some believe they had been Centel’d due to a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Some basketball enthusiasts and insiders started to sense that Los Angeles was changing course to one that might not include their veteran superstar. In fact, ESPN journalist and two-time New York Times bestseller, Brian Windhorst reports that the Lakers are planning to pivot from Lebron by the spring of 2026.

For the purple and gold, they are extremely happy with Luka. For them, he is their future. And they want to start building around him for a championship ASAP.

On Friday, ESPN discussed the situation at length revealing, “The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season. It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star’s time as the face of the Lakers had, for the first time, a planned end date, even if James’ record-setting NBA career did not yet. Whether the 2025-26 season is to be James’ final season in the NBA is up to him. But if he wanted the kind of Hollywood ending that only the Lakers can give legends of the game, the release date was set. Spring, 2026. Luka Doncic in, LeBron James out.”

Ramona Shelburne and Windhorst went on to elaborate as to why James may have been caught off guard. They state,

“James understood the Lakers taking advantage of an opportunity to pivot to the younger superstar. But from James’ perspective, sources said, nuance was sometimes lost during the transition. Doncic had never asked to be a Laker. James, for his part, had chosen L.A., coming in 2018 when the team had missed the playoffs five consecutive seasons, the worst run for the franchise since it moved from Minneapolis. Two years later, James had helped deliver a 17th championship.”

Furthermore, apparently Lakers ownership notified Luka Dončić ahead of time about selling majority control of the Lakers. LeBron James, however, was left in the dark. Thus, only adding more fuel to the fire.

Brian Windhorst Reports Lakers Planning to Pivot From Lebron by Spring 2026

Nevertheless, passing the torch from one franchise superstar to another is never easy. There’s a lot of moving parts. Therefore, the Lakers are attempting one of the most delicate transitions in NBA history. Shifting from an athlete with the longest tenure in professional basketball and the all-time leading scorer.

Luka Doncic’s manager, Lara Beth Seager says that Luka has been treated very well since coming to LA, wants to win and has enjoyed playing with James. Seager mentions,

“The Lakers leadership team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of Luka since we arrived in L.A. We’ve spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other over the last few months, and we’ve formed a strong working relationship.

Championships are won when you work together. We all share that same goal. Luka loves playing with LeBron and has learned so much from him. He has nothing but the utmost respect for LeBron and considers it an honor to be his teammate.”

Luka and Lebron is definitely a pairing that sells tickets. However, by these recent reports the Lakers seem ready for a new era. An era they hope to embark upon in less than a year.

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