What looked like a dream pairing might already be turning into a nightmare.
After swinging for the fences with a blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to pair one of the league’s brightest young stars with one of its greatest players ever. But behind the scenes, tension is reportedly simmering. And it might already be threatening to tear the locker room apart.
According to NBA insider John Gambadoro, LeBron James and Austin Reaves “do not like playing with Luka.”
“Reaves does not like getting the ball with two seconds left on the shot clock,” Gambadoro said on Burns and Gambo. “LeBron is not fond of playing with Luka… This is Luka’s team now.”
A Power Shift in L.A.
The Lakers’ internal dynamic may have shifted more than fans realized. For years, LeBron was the centerpiece. LeGM in every sense, consulted on every major roster move. But this offseason, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that the front office is no longer consulting LeBron, signaling a changing of the guard.
Translation: Luka Doncic is now the franchise priority.
The change hasn’t gone unnoticed, and it might be fueling the reported tension between the veteran trio of LeBron, Reaves, and Doncic. While LeBron has praised Luka publicly in the past, sources suggest the on-court experience hasn’t matched the off-court admiration.
Reaves Caught in the Middle
Austin Reaves has also been named in these reports, despite his offensive numbers improving next to Luka. He averaged 21.0 points and shot 47.9% from the field when sharing the floor with Doncic, better than his splits without him.
Still, frustration with his offensive role and the timing of passes from Luka, particularly late in the shot clock, are reportedly an issue. And with Reaves seeking a significant pay raise soon, the Lakers may face another roster dilemma.
Trade Watch: LeBron’s Future Uncertain
For now, LeBron has opted in to his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season. But insiders warn it’s far from a guarantee he’ll finish that year in purple and gold.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a guaranteed no-brainer LeBron comes back,” Gambadoro said. “There are guys that don’t like playing with Luka.”
LeBron’s decision may come down to whether the front office builds a championship-caliber roster—one that he feels still centers him, not Doncic.
Luka’s Team Now?
Doncic, meanwhile, appears locked in. The 26-year-old is expected to sign a long-term extension in August, and every offseason move the Lakers are making seems tailored to fit his timeline. Not LeBron’s.
If the reports are true, the Lakers now face a potential locker-room crisis just one season into the Luka era. Whether that ends in a trade, a power reset, or a championship run remains to be seen.