Lakers pivot to Luka Dončić as LeBron James' future looms

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2025-26 season openly built around Luka Dončić while the future of LeBron James remains uncertain. Dončić has signed a multi-year extension and arrives in Los Angeles after a summer of intense conditioning and dominant play at EuroBasket, while James exercised his player option for one more year and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, leaving his long-term plans undecided.

Dončić, 26, told reporters he feels embraced by the franchise and has lost significant weight this offseason as part of a renewed fitness regimen. He starred for Slovenia at EuroBasket, earning top-scorer honors and glowing internal reviews for increased defensive effort and leadership. Dončić also said he would be open to ending his career where it began, at Real Madrid, though he added that returning would require being at an elite level. Former Lakers greats and league officials have compared his court vision and rebounding to franchise legend Magic Johnson, and team executives say Dončić is now firmly the franchise centerpiece.

James, 40, has been more measured about his future. He told interviewers he is "preparing for the end, but I'm not there yet,"...