Is the LeBron James era with the Los Angeles Lakers over? Some analysts think it should. After losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, multiple voices are rising, calling for the team to move forward with Luka Doncic, leaving the “King” James era for the history books.
Doncic’s arrival, just before the trade deadline, raised high expectations among Lakers fans. However, despite having Luka and LeBron on the roster, the T-Wolves dispatched them in just five games in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Needless to say, the debacle caused widespread disappointment among Lakers fans. However, Hall of Famer Paul Pierce was blunt in saying it’s time for the Lakers to end the James era and begin the Doncic reign.
On Fox Sports’ “Speak,” the former Boston Celtics star sent a clear message to Lakers owner Jeannie Buss. “If the Lakers want to get back to being a title contender, you have to get out of the constraints of the LeBron era,” Pierce warned.
He explained that the franchise needs to free itself from James’ influence over all its decisions. “They have to find a way to just be like, ‘Okay, he’s had a grasp of the whole organization,’ bear-hugging them for so long now.”
However, Pierce acknowledged LeBron’s legacy with Los Angeles, saying, “He’s done some wonderful things for the Lakers organization. 100 percent, they’ll finally build a statue for LeBron in front of Crypto Arena,” but it’s time to move on.
Since arriving in California in 2018, the “King” has led the team to five postseason appearances, winning the 2020 championship and reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2023. However, they were eliminated in the first round on three other occasions, and the last time they lifted a trophy was when they won the 2024 In-Season Tournament.
There’s no doubt LeBron has made history with the Lakers; however, Buss and head coach J.J. Reddick need to recognize that it’s time to build a team around Luka Doncic, and unfortunately, experts agree that James isn’t the kind of player who will make the rising star shine.
