ESPN Facing Backlash After Changing LeBron James, Luka Doncic Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

According to ESPN, there was a series of "microaggressions" that signaled the Lakers' desire to focus on Luka Doncic over LeBron James.

During the 2024-25 NBA season with Los Angeles after the trade, Doncic played in 28 games. He averaged 28.2 points per game to go along with 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals. Doncic shot 43.8 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from three-point range.

For months, publicly and privately, the Lakers have been signaling their desire to begin the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, even if it meant ending the LeBron James one.

A private dinner in West Hollywood may have just signaled the start of a new era for the Lakers, and the end of another.

A recent ESPN report claimed that LeBron James wasn't notified of the sale of a majority stake of the Lakers, but that report has been updated.

Luka Doncic and his representatives met with Los Angeles Lakers brass earlier this offseason and are on the same page moving forward.

In a public statement, Luka Doncic's manager stressed just how much Luka values playing alongside LeBron James.