BREAKING: All Signs Indicate Lakers Will Move On from LeBron James by Spring 2026, Targeting Luka Doncic as Future

The Los Angeles Lakers are quietly — but unmistakably — preparing for a seismic shift in the franchise’s direction. And the latest signs leave little room for doubt: the LeBron James era is nearing its end in L.A., with the spring of 2026 marked as the symbolic farewell point. After six seasons, a championship, and countless historical milestones, LeBron James is no longer part of the Lakers’ long-term vision. Instead, sources close to the organization suggest the team is aiming squarely at the next generational superstar: Luka Dončić.

The message was subtle at first. But with each decision made by the Lakers front office over the past year, the writing has become clearer and bolder. When James was not offered a contract beyond the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, it was not merely a financial move — it was a philosophical one. It was the Lakers signaling, in unmistakable terms, that they are pivoting toward a new identity, one that does not feature James at its core.

While LeBron James remains a marvel at age 40, his contract situation now looms as a decisive marker of the Lakers’ intent. As reported by league insiders, the team has made no meaningful push to secure James beyond the next season. In past years, the Lakers moved swiftly to assure the superstar of his place in their future. But this time, those conversations have been noticeably absent. This isn’t a negotiation tactic — it’s a plan.

“LeBron James may still be productive, but the Lakers have been preparing for life after him for two seasons,” one league source familiar with the organization’s thinking told us. “There’s a growing belief that spring 2026 marks the end of the Lakers-LeBron marriage — whether he retires or not.”

And therein lies the twist: LeBron’s career isn’t necessarily ending. In fact, those close to him say he’s more motivated than ever, especially if he has the chance to share the court with his son, Bronny James. But just because LeBron wants to keep playing doesn’t mean the Lakers want to keep building around him.

The split, should it happen as expected in 2026, may not be acrimonious. But it will be deliberate. It may even be mutual. The Lakers, long obsessed with star power and long-term flexibility, appear to be constructing their next phase — and their eyes are locked on Luka Dončić.

Dončić’s friendship with Nikola Jokić has already stirred speculation that the two European superstars might one day team up in Los Angeles. Add to that the fact that the Lakers are actively preserving cap space for the summer of 2027 — exactly when Jokić will be a free agent — and the picture becomes clearer. While that could still be speculative, the Luka Dončić part is anything but.

Multiple sources around the league believe the Lakers’ true target is Dončić, not just because of his skill set and age, but because he’s a player ready to become the face of a franchise with global reach. He’s already had playoff success, already logged MVP-level seasons, and, most importantly, has expressed occasional frustration with Dallas’ front office and postseason shortcomings.

If Dončić ever decides to leave the Mavericks — and that day is not as far off as some might think — there are few destinations that can offer the global platform and winning potential the Lakers can. Especially if it comes after the team has cleared enough cap space and gathered a more complementary supporting cast.

There’s also the changing nature of LeBron’s role. While he continues to defy age and produce at an elite level, his usage rate and minutes have gradually dipped. For the first time in his storied career, James is beginning to look like a legend transitioning into a new phase: elder statesman, mentor, and secondary option.

He may not like it. He may not accept it. But the numbers don’t lie. And neither does the silence from Lakers brass.

In the past, when LeBron hinted at uncertainty, the team responded with contract extensions and roster improvements. Now, with James approaching the final year of his current deal, there’s no such urgency. Instead, there’s a careful preservation of cap space, draft flexibility, and long-term assets. That’s not how you behave when you’re building around a 41-year-old in 2026. That’s how you prepare for someone younger, fresher — someone like Dončić.

Even the optics surrounding Bronny James’ arrival speak volumes. While drafting Bronny offered sentimental and marketing advantages, the Lakers did not move heaven and earth to secure his spot. It was a second-round pick, not a grand gesture. LeBron made it clear he wanted to play with his son, and the Lakers obliged — but in the most noncommittal way possible.

It’s all part of a pattern. The Lakers are gently placing their most legendary player on a glide path to exit — not because of any falling out, but because the NBA is a business of futures, not legacies. As beloved as LeBron is in Los Angeles, his presence limits the Lakers’ ability to fully reset and pursue younger stars. A franchise built on legacy cannot afford to be sentimental when a new era is within reach.

Of course, there is risk involved. Banking on Dončić — or even Jokić — to leave their current teams is far from guaranteed. The Lakers would be betting heavily on variables they can’t entirely control. But such gambles are not new to this front office. Magic Johnson did it to land LeBron in the first place. Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss understand that the biggest prizes require bold positioning.

And so, spring 2026 becomes the invisible deadline.

For LeBron James, it may be the end of his Lakers chapter — a storied one that brought the franchise its 17th championship in 2020 and solidified his place as a global ambassador of the sport. For the Lakers, it will be the beginning of their next courtship — one aimed at the future face of the NBA.

Whether that future includes Dončić, Jokić, or another superstar altogether, what’s now undeniable is this: the Lakers are no longer LeBron’s team. The Hollywood ending he may have envisioned is no longer a guarantee. His legacy is cemented. But his time in purple and gold now has a quiet expiration date.

Spring 2026.

It’s not official. But it’s coming.

And from inside the halls of Crypto.com Arena to front offices around the league, everyone knows what it means.

The Lakers are ready to turn the page.