The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear they are building their future around Luka Doncic after signing him to a significant three-year, $165 million contract extension. This move signals a decisive change in direction for the team, moving away from the long-standing focus on LeBron James. Instead, the franchise is prioritizing Doncic’s leadership as it aims for sustained success.

Sam Quinn of CBS Sports highlights that James is one of the biggest losers following Doncic’s contract extension, as the Lakers are no longer conforming to the demands traditionally made by the four-time NBA Finals MVP. The team is opting for a strategy centered on Luka’s vision, choosing long-term flexibility over the immediate championship pursuits that defined much of LeBron’s tenure.

If a young LeBron James had been in Doncic’s shoes, there is a good chance he would not have signed this extension,

Quinn wrote, noting James’s history of pushing for aggressive trades and moves geared toward instant title contention.

LeBron James faces new challenges amid team’s evolving strategy

Doncic’s approach contrasts sharply with James’s past tactics. While Doncic appears to be focused on patient development, the Lakers are passing on blockbuster trades to rely on veterans with shorter contracts as they build upward. This method diverges from how James influenced the Lakers, particularly when he orchestrated the 2019 trade for Anthony Davis to chase immediate success.

At age 40, LeBron has reportedly distanced himself from these new team dynamics, skipping Doncic’s press conference and having his agent, Rich Paul, send a veiled message through insider Shams Charania after James exercised his player option for the next season. This distance underscores the tension between James’s desire for immediate competitiveness and the Lakers’ longer-term plan.

Quinn further explains James’s past behavior:

James frequently signed short-term deals in his prime to maintain flexibility. When he wasn’t happy, he left,

which contrasts sharply with Doncic’s recent commitment and vision for the franchise.

Luka Doncic’s leadership defines the Lakers’ future path

The Lakers’ new direction is a clear signal that the team’s championship ambitions no longer pivot around LeBron James’s timeline. Doncic’s patient, forward-thinking approach places the franchise on a course that prioritizes sustained success over immediate glory, which may reduce the Lakers’ ability to compete at the highest level during James’s remaining years.

Quinn sums up this shift by stating that the Lakers are no longer adhering to LeBron’s style of play: they are instead aligning with Luka’s approach. This choice highlights who the organization trusts to lead them into a new era, underscoring that the future dynasty of the Lakers is expected to be built around Doncic, not the King.