Did the Los Angeles Lakers Waste the LeBron James-Anthony Davis Era by Failing to Build the Right Championship Core?

When the Los Angeles Lakers orchestrated a blockbuster trade to pair LeBron James with Anthony Davis in 2019, the basketball world braced for a dynasty. Two generational talents, one of the most storied franchises in sports, and a city that lives for championships—it felt like the perfect storm. In their first full season together, LeBron and AD delivered on the promise, capturing the 2020 NBA title inside the Orlando bubble. It was a triumphant moment, and for a brief time, it looked like the Lakers were back to their dominant roots. But five years later, the narrative feels far more complicated. That championship stands alone. The seasons that followed were marked by inconsistent roster moves, injuries, and front-office turbulence. And now, in 2025, the Lakers’ future is clouded by doubt, as rumors swirl around a new era centered on Luka Dončić—reportedly being informed of ownership changes while LeBron was left in the dark. It raises a fundamental and uncomfortable question: Did the Lakers waste the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era?

For fans and analysts alike, the frustration lies not in the effort of LeBron and Davis, but in the inability—or perhaps unwillingness—of the Lakers front office to build a sustainable, balanced team around them. From questionable free-agent signings to abrupt coaching changes and a series of win-now trades that rarely yielded results, the Lakers often looked more reactive than strategic. Even as LeBron, in his late 30s and now 40, continued to defy Father Time with All-NBA-level performances, Los Angeles repeatedly failed to surround him and AD with a roster capable of contending deep into the playoffs. The 2020 title was legitimate and hard-earned, but subsequent campaigns were marred by early exits and play-in drama.

The Russell Westbrook trade in 2021 looms large in this conversation. It was an aggressive move—one reportedly endorsed by the stars—but ultimately derailed the Lakers’ chemistry and spacing. In trading away valuable depth like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma, the Lakers sacrificed versatility for star power, a gamble that quickly backfired. Injuries played a role, particularly to Davis, whose health has often determined the Lakers’ ceiling. But availability aside, it’s hard to argue the Lakers consistently gave their stars the supporting cast needed to compete with deeper, more cohesive teams like the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, or even the upstart Sacramento Kings.

What stings more for some fans is how the Lakers seemed to pivot before the LeBron-AD window was fully closed. The 2025 season ended with a second-round exit, but LeBron and Davis were still productive. Yet, the franchise has reportedly set its sights on the next superstar phase—this time with Luka Dončić. Dončić, still only 26 and arguably the league’s most gifted offensive player, represents the future. But the way the transition is unfolding is causing waves. According to reports, Dončić was notified in advance about the Buss family’s sale of a majority stake to billionaire investor Mark Walter. LeBron James, on the other hand, was not. Instead, he reportedly learned through media coverage—an omission that speaks volumes. This wasn’t just a shift in communication. It was a shift in loyalty.

The optics are jarring. LeBron has carried the Lakers brand with pride and commitment, helping restore the team’s global prestige. He trusted the Lakers’ vision. He recruited Davis. He re-signed. He sacrificed. And now, he appears to be on the outside looking in during one of the most critical front-office transitions in franchise history. If that’s how the Lakers treat arguably the greatest player in league history, how can any superstar fully trust the organization moving forward?

Anthony Davis, too, has reason to feel conflicted. While often injured, AD has still been one of the NBA’s most impactful two-way forces when healthy. He committed long-term to the Lakers, signing an extension signaling his belief in the direction of the franchise. But with LeBron potentially out and Dončić reportedly next in line, Davis’ place in the Lakers’ evolving power structure is suddenly murky. Will the Lakers build around both Luka and AD, or is Davis slowly being phased out of the future core as well?

This perceived mishandling could have ripple effects across the NBA. In a league where player empowerment is king, trust between stars and front offices is currency. LeBron and AD gave the Lakers their primes. The least they deserved was transparency and consistency in communication. Instead, they received mixed signals and, according to reports, a seat behind the curtain as organizational tides shifted. If you’re a superstar in 2027, are you looking at the Lakers as a trustworthy destination—or a franchise that values you only until the next big name becomes available?

The idea that the Lakers “wasted” the LeBron-AD era isn’t rooted in bitterness—it’s rooted in opportunity cost. With two top-10 players, one of them an all-time great, most franchises would do everything to optimize the window. Instead, the Lakers often seemed to bank on their brand name doing the heavy lifting. Even the 2023 Western Conference Finals run, while promising, felt like an overachievement rather than the result of a master plan. And in a league as competitive and evolving as today’s NBA, overachievement is fleeting. Teams like the Nuggets, Celtics, and Bucks built around continuity, elite coaching, and roster synergy. The Lakers, by contrast, shuffled lineups, fired coaches, and gambled on splash moves—hoping star power alone would carry the day.

There’s also a cultural element at play. The Lakers have always operated as the league’s Hollywood franchise, valuing headline moves and marquee names. But the modern NBA is about fit, development, and smart cap management. The failure to strike that balance has plagued the post-2020 Lakers and, in the eyes of many, squandered the twilight of LeBron’s greatness.

This moment feels like the inflection point. With Mark Walter’s purchase likely ushering in a new leadership philosophy, and with Dončić apparently positioned as the new face of the franchise, the Lakers are undergoing a quiet but seismic identity shift. But in doing so, they’ve alienated the very players who delivered their only championship in the last decade. LeBron and AD trusted the vision. They gave their bodies, their voices, and their leadership. The return was one ring and a franchise that seemingly couldn’t wait to turn the page.

For fans, it’s a painful reckoning. For other superstars around the league, it’s a cautionary tale. And for the Lakers? It’s a pivotal moment. Because no matter how promising Dončić’s arrival might seem, championships are not won on potential—they’re won on trust, stability, and execution. And right now, many wonder if the Lakers are still capable of delivering that.