Bombshell report claims LeBron James and Austin Reaves are not fond of playing with Luka Doncic

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn
NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn

The LA Lakers' offseason issues have gone from bad to worse with the latest reports suggesting that LeBron James and Austin Reaves are not fond of playing with Luka Doncic. The report emerges after Reaves declined a team-friendly $89 million four-year extension and James opted into his $52.6 million deal but is reportedly open to leaving the Lakers in search of a better chance to win.

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James has accepted that the Lakers are taking a new approach, surrounding their team to contend for multiple years with Doncic as the leader, not him. Insider John Gambadoro dropped the biggest scoop amid these rumors on Tuesday, saying:

"LeBron does not like playing with Luka, Reaves does not like playing with Luka. Reaves does not like getting the ball with two seconds left on the shot clock ... The Lakers are going to turn their attention to build around Luka. Not LeBron, so this is Luka's team now."
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The trio had an exceptional run together, helping the Lakers finish the regular season 50-32, third in the West. However, their flaws were prevalent in the postseason. The three couldn't mesh as well as they wanted to, resulting in the Lakers' first-round exit against the Timberwolves in five games.

Gambadoro's report is based on the three players' overlapping skills on offense, as they are all used to playing with the ball. Since Luka Doncic's arrival, Austin Reaves and LeBron James haven't had as many opportunities with the new Lakers superstar primarily anchoring the offense.

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Lakers reportedly not consulting LeBron James as attention on Luka Doncic increases

The LA Lakers are reportedly not consulting LeBron James on roster moves for the first time since his arrival in 2018, as per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. The Lakers are prioritizing building around Luka Doncic, the franchise's future. James, who turns 41 later this year, is potentially pushing for a trade, and LA is not under pressure from the four-time MVP.

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He's in the final year of his contract, giving the Lakers more leverage in this situation. If he stays or leaves next offseason, it would be a win-win situation for them. If LeBron does look for a move, the Lakers can open significant cap space next summer. While it may not land them a big-name free agent, it will be critical to their hopes of adding depth and top-tier role players who can fit with Doncic.

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Edited by Arhaan Raje
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