LeBron James stays but is ‘dethroned’: $52.6 million just to be Luka’s assistant?

LeBron James stays but is ‘dethroned’: $52.6 million just to be Luka Doncic’s assistant?

On July 25, the news that LeBron James activated his contract extension option worth up to $52.6 million with the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to be good news for fans of this team. However, the reality is more cruel when the Lakers are actively looking for a new young star to replace LeBron’s center position.

The most mentioned face is superstar Luka Doncic, who is the future of the NBA. Doncic, with his creative playing style and impressive leadership ability, is said to become the new “main character” in the Lakers lineup, pushing LeBron into the role of a strong supporter.

The $52.6 million paid to an “assistant” is causing great controversy among experts and fans. Many people question whether this is a reasonable decision when the Lakers are willing to spend a huge amount of money on a role that is no longer central?

In fact, although LeBron James is still maintaining stable performance, at the age of 40, it is undeniable that his influence on the field is decreasing. The Lakers are in need of a generational transition and Luka Doncic is the most ideal choice at this time.

Experts say that LeBron’s acceptance of staying but at the same time accepting the position of “assistant” is a strategic move for the team to be able to transform and compete for titles in the future. LeBron himself probably knows that his peak time is not long and it is time to give the stage to a younger, more talented generation.

However, is LeBron James ready to adapt and accept this new role? And can Luka Doncic really shoulder the expectations of the Lakers?

The upcoming season will be the clearest answer to all these doubts.