The crown hasn’t been lost in a hard-fought Finals defeat, nor has it been snatched away by a rival superstar on the court. Instead, the “King” is facing a much more humiliating end to his reign: a total and voluntary rejection by his own subjects. In early 2026, a shocking consensus has emerged within the city of Los Angeles. According to multiple fan polls and local insiders, nearly 90% of Lakers Nation is ready for LeBron James to move on. The gratitude for the 2020 “Bubble” championship has been replaced by a toxic mix of frustration, exhaustion, and a feeling that the franchise has been hijacked by a single ego.
The tipping point occurred on what should have been a celebratory Sunday for the Lakers organization. The team had just finalized a massive three-year, $165 million extension for Luka Doncic, officially solidifying him as the new face of the franchise. It was a moment that demanded unity—a passing of the torch from one legend to the next. The entire building was present: head coach JJ Redick, GM Rob Pelinka, and even newly acquired veterans like DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart. Every key member of the team was there to show respect for the future.
Except for LeBron James.
While his teammates and coaches were gathered at the podium, LeBron was conspicuously absent. But he didn’t just disappear; he made sure the world knew exactly where he was. In a move that insiders have described as “passive-aggressive” and “calculated,” James posted photos of himself on the golf course during the press conference. The message was impossible to ignore: if the day isn’t about LeBron, LeBron isn’t coming. This wasn’t a scheduling conflict; it was a strategic choice to undermine the narrative of Luka Doncic’s arrival as the team’s centerpiece.
The reaction from the fan base was swift and merciless. For years, Lakers fans have tolerated the “circus” that follows LeBron—the coaching changes, the cryptic tweets, and the roster-building power plays. But the snub of Doncic felt personal. As one lifelong fan, Brandon, noted in a recent interview, there is a clear distinction between “Lakers fans” and “LeBron fans.” Those who bleed purple and gold are tired of watching their franchise orbit a player who seems more concerned with his individual brand than the collective success of the team. “I’d rather trade him for whatever you can get,” Brandon stated, reflecting the sentiment of the overwhelming majority.
The power struggle inside the building is no longer a secret. For years, the Lakers operated under “LeBron gravity,” where every decision had to pass through his filter. But the signing of Doncic represents a shift in strategy by Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka. They have chosen youth, hunger, and a player who is actively recruiting teammates and building relationships—unlike James, whose “leadership” has recently consisted of silence and social media games. Luka is the one sitting down for dinner meetings and laying the bricks for the future, while LeBron appears to be struggling with the reality that he is no longer the decision-maker.
This loss of control has manifested in increasingly “narcissistic” behavior, according to team insiders. From posting workout photos with rival team logos in the background to laughing at teammates on the bench after missed plays, the “veteran mentor” role that was promised has never materialized. Instead, LeBron seems trapped in a “Main Character” complex that prevents him from celebrating someone else’s moment. By skipping the Doncic extension, he didn’t just insult the front office; he insulted the man he is supposed to go to war with for 82 games.
The Lakers now find themselves in a pressurized locker room with no easy exit. LeBron’s massive contract and age make him nearly untradable, meaning the team is likely stuck with a superstar who feels wronged by the very organization that catered to him for half a decade. Fans have already written off the 2026 season, with many predicting a 0% chance of a championship run due to the lack of defensive focus and the prevailing toxicity.
The irony of LeBron’s Lakers tenure is that he spent a career meticulously crafting a legacy of leadership and excellence, only to tear it down with his own hands in the twilight of his career. He had the perfect off-ramp: to be the wise veteran who guided Luka Doncic and helped secure the next decade of Lakers greatness. Instead, he chose pettiness. He chose to golf. He chose himself. And in doing so, he has ensured that his departure from Los Angeles won’t be a celebration of a legend, but a sigh of relief from a fan base that finally has its franchise back.
Would you like me to create a comparison of the Lakers’ team chemistry metrics before and after the Luka Doncic extension to accompany this article?
