Ric Bucher Says Lakers Turned the Page on LeBron James After Landing Luka Doncic
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Los Angeles, July 5, 2026 — Veteran NBA reporter Ric Bucher said the Los Angeles Lakers effectively ended their commitment to LeBron James when the club acquired All-Star guard Luka Doncic.
Speaking on July 5, Bucher asserted that team executives viewed the blockbuster move for Doncic as a signal that the franchise’s future no longer centered on the four-time MVP. “The Lakers were done with LeBron once they got Doncic,” the insider said, adding that the organization had shifted its long-term strategy to the 27-year-old Slovenian star.
Bucher’s remarks come as James approaches his 23rd NBA season. The 41-year-old forward, who led the Lakers to a championship in 2020, is under contract through 2027. Doncic, a five-time All-NBA selection, joined Los Angeles this offseason in a widely publicized trade.
Neither the Lakers nor representatives for James immediately responded to Bucher’s comments.
Source: New York Post
