NBA insiders say that James will leave the Lakers because he believes that the Lakers have disrespected him many times

When will the strife between the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James be in a trust crisis? It is a very dangerous thing for both sides to fall into a crisis of trust. According to ESPN's NBA insiders Ramona Shelbourne and Brian Windhorst, LeBron James is likely to leave the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2025-26 season begins. They specifically mentioned LeBron James's views on the Lakers' reconstruction around Luka Doncic.

"James understands that the Lakers are taking advantage of an opportunity to turn to young superstars. But sources say that from James' perspective, there are sometimes nuances in the transformation process. Luka Doncic has never asked to be a Lakers player. As far as James is concerned, he chose Los Angeles in 2018 when the team missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the team's worst performance since Minneapolis relocation. Two years later, James helped the Lakers win their 17th title."

LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers for many years, leading the team to the Western Conference Finals twice, and in 2020, won the NBA championship. LeBron James' outstanding performance during the Lakers should be praised and not questioned. However, LeBron James' excessive arrogance also caused his situation today. For example, he even thought he should get a statue of himself outside the Lakers Arena and force the Lakers to take Brownie James.

Shams Charania publicly stated that the Los Angeles Lakers will not renew any contract for 40-year-old LeBron James, which also means that the 2025-26 season will be the last season of LeBron James' Lakers' career. But, more importantly, the Lakers don't necessarily let him finish his last season with the team, and are even considering a trade to send LeBron James away and finish the reconstruction quickly.

"The Lakers have stated that they will not provide James with a contract that exceeds this season. It is obvious that the 21-time All-Star player as the Lakers spokesperson has a planned end date for the first time, even if James' record-breaking NBA career is not over yet. Whether the 2025-26 season is James' last season in the NBA depends on him. But if he wants that Hollywood-style ending, the Lakers can give legendary stars an end date. In the spring of 2026, Luka Doncic renewed his contract and LeBron James left."

LeBron James was 40 years old and had an annual salary of $52.6 million, and was criticized by many fans and media. However, they forgot LeBron James' contribution and influence, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds in the regular season in the 2024-25 season. Lead the team in the Western Conference in the regular season, and the MVP votes sixth.

Moreover, in the playoffs, Luka Doncic's influence is obviously not as good as LeBron James. More importantly, LeBron James was also arranged to play as a center, which was once very effective. Such LeBron James said that he was not worth $52.6 million is unfair.

However, what made LeBron James' relationship worse and the Los Angeles Lakers completely put on the table should be the remarks of LeBron James' agent, and the recent remarks of Ayton. Because in an interview, Ayton publicly stated that after joining the Lakers, Luka Doncic contacted him, but LeBron James did not contact him. This does not conform to LeBron James' common sense. Basically, as long as someone joins the Lakers, LeBron James will send pictures or phone calls to contact the other party.

According to reports, the Lakers will not let LeBron James leave as a free agent. They will trade him before the end of the final trading deadline in February 2026. Will LeBron James be traded in the end? This may be the first time in his career that the team took the initiative to trade and sell it. Will the Lakers accept a low offer to get rid of LeBron James' $52.6 million contract in the last year? Or, if they really can't find a trading destination, will they agree to LeBron James' request to buy out or cut LeBron James' contract and let him join the competitor?