Why else was LeBron James unhappy with the Lakers?
Ahead of the official start of free agency, LeBron James informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he would not be returning for a ninth season.
It was reported that LeBron wanted to play "meaningful, competitive basketball," and that was one of the reasons why he decided to leave the Lakers.
The Lakers finished fourth in the West this past season and won their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets in six games despite missing Luka Doncic for the entire series and Austin Reaves for the first four games.
They were swept in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending LeBron's tenure with the team.
LeBron's Unhappiness
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, being the third option on the Lakers was not LeBron's preferred style.
LeBron was willing to take a backseat to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in the second half of the season, especially in March when they had their best stretch of the season.
LeBron proved in April and the playoffs that he can still be the top option as Doncic was injured and Reaves was either injured or not quite 100%.
He has always been a ball-dominant, high-usage player, but last season he posted the lowest usage rate of his career at just 27.2%. His previous low was his rookie season in Cleveland, where he had a 28.2% usage rate.
LeBron has often spoken about playing off the ball more or being willing to play off the ball, and while he's shown that he can accept that role, it typically hasn't lasted long.
A Changing Role
LeBron was the top option from the moment he joined the Lakers in 2018. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma were not established players who could carry the offense.
Even when Anthony Davis arrived the following season, LeBron was still the top option, as Davis wasn't a complete offensive engine the way LeBron is. No matter who the Lakers brought in or who they acquired, LeBron was the guy with the ball in his hands.
That changed when Luka Doncic was acquired in 2025, bringing in an even more ball-dominant player than LeBron. Luka is best with the ball in his hands, and offers less off-ball willingness than LeBron.
Austin Reaves, emerging as a lead guard who also needed the ball in his hands, took more opportunities away from LeBron.
The Lakers won't be able to replace what LeBron brought to the table in terms of his creation, but with him gone, they were able to put players around Reaves and Doncic who might be better overall fits.
