LeBron James told the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30, 2026, that he would not return for the next season.

The Lakers lost James, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart in free agency during the offseason.

Reports indicate Luka Dončić is preparing for the 2026/27 season with the Lakers, where he is expected to take on an even larger role following James's departure.

The read here is that the franchise is shifting its entire offensive core to a single player in a single season.