Los Angeles — Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was displeased with the organization after a post-game ceremony during the 2025-26 season, viewing the gesture as evidence that the team had begun to overlook his contributions, according to reporting by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The incident occurred on May 9, 2026, shortly after the Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena. Inside the locker room, head coach JJ Redick announced several individual milestones to a round of applause: the victory was the 1,229th of James’s career, moving him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined regular-season and playoff wins in league history; Luka Doncic reached 15,000 career points; and Rui Hachimura eclipsed 5,000 points.
When team president and general manager Rob Pelinka stepped forward holding the game ball, James expected it to be handed to one of the players who had just notched career benchmarks. Instead, Pelinka presented the ball to Redick, commemorating the coach’s 100th career victory. Sources told ESPN that the decision irritated James, who felt his recent sacrifices were being ignored.
This season marked several firsts for the 41-year-old star. James played on an expiring contract for the first time, missed the first 14 games with an injury—the longest Opening Night absence of his career—and voluntarily became the team’s third scoring option behind Doncic and Austin Reaves. During one stretch with that arrangement, the Lakers went 16-2 and looked like contenders until additional injuries derailed momentum.
The episode deepened what sources characterized as a simmering tension between James and the front office that has lingered for roughly two years. Even so, there is mutual interest in a new agreement that would bring the four-time NBA champion back to Los Angeles for the 2026-27 campaign.
Following the Lakers’ playoff exit, James declined to specify his next move. “With my future, I don’t know,” he told reporters. “I’ve got to recalibrate with my family … and when the time comes, you’ll know what I decide to do.”
What the Lakers and James choose this offseason remains the franchise’s most consequential question as roster decisions loom ahead of training camp.
Source: LakersNation.com
