Luka Dončić quietly becomes the new face of the Lakers

From the moment Luka Dončić arrived among the "lakes" during the last season, it was clear to many that something big was brewing. As reported by ESPN, a well-known American television station, after the Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves, a special dinner was organized in a luxury restaurant in Los Angeles.

At that table sat everyone who means something in the club - Luka, his representatives, new coach JJ Redick, and leading people from the administration. What immediately caught the eye of many is that LeBron James was not present. Just a year or two ago, deals like this wouldn't have gone through without him.

For years, James was the most important link of this great team.

It's time for a new chapter

Rumor has it, it was that dinner that marked the turning point. "Luka is now the face of the franchise," said sources close to the club. And indeed, everything indicates that the Lakers want to build the future around the 25-year-old Slovenian.

Meanwhile, LeBron faces uncertainty for the first time. In his 23-year career, he was never closer to parting ways with a team. Although he used the option in the contract and extended the cooperation for the 2025/26 season, for which he will receive more than 50 million dollars, it is clear that the end of an era is approaching.

"We want to consider what is best for James at this point in his career. He wants to use every season he has left and the Lakers understand that," said his longtime agent Rich Paul.

There is no shortage of interested clubs. The Warriors are mentioned the most, and the Cavaliers, Clippers, and even the Mavericks are also mentioned as possible candidates, where he could play alongside Luka, but on the other side of the court.

In general, the future on the NBA scene is very interesting, and we will see in which direction everything will go. James is certainly a player that every team would like to have in their team.