LeBron James is Done With Luka Doncic
The Los Angeles Lakers, one of basketball’s most storied franchises, are facing an existential crisis. On the surface, their record remains respectable, and their roster is loaded with star power. But beneath the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, cracks are beginning to show—cracks that threaten to derail their season and force a reckoning about the team’s future.
Head coach JJ Redick, in his first year at the helm, is fighting to maintain control over a locker room filled with big personalities and even bigger expectations. Meanwhile, LeBron James, the league’s elder statesman, seems increasingly detached from the grind, more interested in golf swings than game plans. And the experiment of pairing LeBron with Luka Dončić, another ball-dominant superstar, has yielded troubling results.
With the trade deadline looming and the Western Conference as competitive as ever, the Lakers must confront uncomfortable truths about chemistry, leadership, and the path forward.
JJ Redick’s Struggles: From Analyst to Embattled Coach
JJ Redick’s transition from respected NBA analyst and former player to head coach of the Lakers was met with optimism. Redick’s reputation for basketball IQ and candid analysis made him a popular choice among fans and front office executives alike. Yet, as the season has progressed, Redick has found himself in unfamiliar territory—overwhelmed, frustrated, and out of answers.
Redick’s candor has been both a strength and a liability. In recent press conferences, he has openly admitted his uncertainty: “I don’t know what else to do.” Such honesty is rare in a league where coaches often mask their doubts with bravado. But for a team like the Lakers, whose standard is championship or bust, these admissions have only fueled anxiety.
The problems are not just philosophical—they’re practical. Redick has fired off motivational tactics at a rapid pace, trying to spark a response from his players. Yet, as one observer noted, “You’ve got about six bullets you can fire at your team as a coach throughout the course of a season. JJ Redick seems to fire six a week.” The result is a locker room that feels more unsettled than inspired.
Leaked Footage and Locker Room Dynamics
Tensions came to a head following a particularly “uncomfortable” practice, footage of which was leaked to the media. Redick had warned the team that the session would be tough, hoping to instill urgency. Yet, video evidence suggested otherwise—players appeared unfazed, even amused by the coach’s attempts to shake things up.
DeAndre Ayton, one of the team’s key additions, was seen laughing on camera, undermining Redick’s authority. Ayton’s reaction was emblematic of a broader issue: the disconnect between the coach’s messaging and the players’ buy-in.
Redick’s Public Admission: “I Don’t Know What Else to Do”
Redick’s postgame comments after a pair of wins against the Memphis Grizzlies were striking. Despite the victories, Redick looked defeated, telling reporters, “I don’t know what else to do.” He revealed that the team had failed to execute eight out of twelve after-timeout plays—a staggering rate of miscommunication and lack of discipline.
Redick attributed the mistakes to the holiday season, a rationale that rang hollow given that other teams had played through similar distractions without issue. The Thunder, Cavaliers, and others maintained focus; the Lakers, by contrast, seemed lost.
Such excuses echoed the criticisms Redick himself had leveled at Doc Rivers during his analyst days. Redick once lambasted Rivers for “always making excuses, always throwing his team under the bus.” Now, Redick appeared guilty of the same, blaming holidays, missed assignments, and player errors rather than taking ownership.
LeBron James: The Checked-Out Superstar?
If Redick’s struggles were not enough, LeBron James’s demeanor has added another layer of complexity. Once the league’s most dedicated basketball junkie—tweeting about random Tuesday night games and setting the standard for preparation—LeBron now seems more invested in golf than hoops.
During a timeout against the Suns, LeBron was caught practicing his golf swing on the sideline. When asked about rising star Keonte George, LeBron responded, “I watch YouTube golf these days, so I’m the wrong guy to ask.” The comment was jarring, given LeBron’s history as a student of the game.
At age 41, after 23 seasons, perhaps LeBron’s detachment is understandable. But with the team struggling to execute basic plays, his lack of urgency has raised eyebrows. Even Dwyane Wade, LeBron’s longtime friend and teammate, joked about LeBron’s focus on golf, suggesting that the King’s mind might be elsewhere.
The LeBron-Luka Experiment: Chemistry or Catastrophe?
The Lakers’ decision to pair LeBron James with Luka Dončić was hailed as a potential masterstroke. Both players are generational talents, capable of orchestrating offenses and filling stat sheets. On paper, they should be the league’s most unstoppable duo.
Reality has been less kind. The numbers are damning: LeBron and Luka have a net rating of minus 10.6 in 303 minutes together—the worst two-man combination among Lakers starters. Even pairings like Ayton and Rui Hachimura, criticized for lack of fit, fare better.
The starting five of Luka, LeBron, Austin Reaves, Hachimura, and Ayton has a net rating of minus 6.7. The Lakers are the only team in the top 16 of the standings with a negative net rating overall. They are winning games, but the advanced metrics suggest they shouldn’t be.
Redick has acknowledged the problem: “There’s only one basketball.” Both LeBron and Luka need the ball to be effective, and both are defensive liabilities at this stage of their careers. The result is a team that can score, but struggles mightily to get stops.
LeBron’s usage rate has dropped to 24.2%, the lowest of his career. He is playing off-ball more than ever, sacrificing touches and influence. Is this sacrifice wearing on him? Is it the reason for his apparent disengagement? The answers remain elusive.
Luka’s Defensive Woes: A Persistent Problem
While much of the focus has been on LeBron, Luka Dončić’s defensive shortcomings are equally problematic. During a blowout loss to the Pistons, Reggie Miller called out Luka’s lack of effort, noting his failure to rotate or contest shots.
Luka’s offensive brilliance is unquestioned, but his defense remains a liability. When paired with a 41-year-old LeBron who can no longer guard elite wings, the Lakers’ perimeter defense is porous. In December, the team posted a defensive rating of 122.4—29th in the NBA.
These issues are not the result of missing personnel; they are systemic. The Lakers, as currently constructed, are not equipped to defend at a championship level.
Trade Rumors and Desperate Solutions
With the trade deadline approaching, speculation about potential moves has intensified. The Lakers have reportedly pursued defensive-minded players like Herb Jones, only to be rebuffed by the Pelicans. More recently, the name Dylan Brooks has surfaced as a possible target.
Brooks, known for his tenacity and edge, has a contentious history with LeBron. Their on-court clashes have been well-documented, and Brooks’s comments about “poking bears” and refusing to “bow down” have added fuel to the fire.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favali listed Brooks as a top trade target for the Lakers, citing his energy and defensive prowess. Brooks is enjoying a career year, averaging 21.4 points per game and providing perimeter defense. But the fit with LeBron is questionable at best. Their mutual dislike has led some analysts to question the wisdom of such a move.
Boogie Cousins went so far as to suggest trading Austin Reaves for Brooks, calling the latter a “culture changer.” But Reaves, averaging 26.6 points before his injury, is a fan favorite and a key piece for the Lakers’ future. The debate reflects the desperation in LA—a team searching for answers wherever they can find them.
Financial Realities: LeBron’s Contract and Roster Construction
Another layer to the Lakers’ struggles is financial. LeBron opted into his $54 million player option, a decision that has hamstrung the team’s ability to build a competitive roster. In the 2021 season, the trio of LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook failed not just because of chemistry, but because they consumed 37% of the salary cap.
This season, the Lakers are in a similar bind. Paying LeBron $54 million limits their flexibility, and the roster is a patchwork of players built half in Luka’s image, half in LeBron’s. The result is a team with championship aspirations but regular-season results.
LeBron continues to produce—31 points against the Grizzlies—but his future in LA is uncertain. With his contract expiring and the team struggling, speculation about his next move is rampant.
Coaching Parallels: Redick and Rivers
The irony of Redick’s predicament is not lost on observers. For years, Redick criticized Doc Rivers for making excuses and failing to hold his teams accountable. Now, as head coach, Redick finds himself in the same position—blaming holidays, missed assignments, and player errors.
The transition from analyst to coach is fraught with challenges. Redick’s theories and podcast energy have collided with the realities of managing superstars and egos. The result is a coach searching for answers, a team searching for direction, and a franchise searching for identity.
The Waiting Game: Uncertainty in LA
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Lakers’ season is the sense of waiting. Players, coaches, and fans alike seem to be biding their time—waiting for LeBron to decide his future, waiting for the front office to make a move, waiting for the season to end.
Games are slipping away as the team struggles to find cohesion. Redick’s confidence has given way to uncertainty, and LeBron’s legacy is in flux. Luka continues to do what Luka does—score, pass, and defend inconsistently—but the formula is not working.
The trade deadline is February 5th, one month away. The Lakers must act quickly if they hope to salvage their season and contend in the brutal Western Conference.
Conclusion: Can the Lakers Turn It Around?
The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads. JJ Redick’s honesty is refreshing but troubling. LeBron James’s disengagement is understandable but concerning. Luka Dončić’s brilliance is undeniable but incomplete. The team’s defensive woes, financial constraints, and chemistry issues have created a perfect storm.
Change is needed—whether through trades, coaching adjustments, or renewed commitment from the stars. The Lakers have the talent to compete, but talent alone is not enough. Leadership, accountability, and sacrifice are required.
As the trade deadline approaches, the basketball world will be watching. Can the Lakers rediscover their championship pedigree, or will this season go down as a missed opportunity? The answer will shape not just the fate of the franchise, but the legacy of its stars.
