Change is in the air in Los Angeles, but the Lakers are determined to keep their focus on championship aspirations as the 2025-26 NBA season approaches. With LeBron James entering his eighth season with the franchise—and his 23rd overall in the league—questions about the team’s leadership, future direction, and the evolving relationship between James and new superstar Luka Dončić took center stage at the Lakers’ recent media day in El Segundo.
The event, held on September 25, 2025, brought together Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick. Both were immediately confronted with the elephant in the room: is this still LeBron’s team, or is a passing of the torch to Dončić underway?
Redick, who was just signed to a contract extension after a successful debut season, didn’t shy away from the topic. “I’ve talked to LeBron fairly frequently and had two great in-person meetings with him,” Redick shared. “One, he finally made it out to The Hamptons, so he and I had dinner in Sag Harbor right around free agency, and then I was able to spend some time with him here in L.A. a couple of weeks ago. And I came away from that thinking that he’s in a great spot mentally, and I know he’s going to give us his absolute best.”
Those words echo a sense of optimism and trust that’s crucial as the Lakers navigate a season filled with both opportunity and uncertainty. Redick’s own journey is a remarkable subplot: after a 15-year NBA playing career, he took the reins as Lakers head coach at age 40, guiding the team to a 50-32 record and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference last season. Despite that regular season success, the Lakers fell in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs—a result that still stings for fans and players alike.
But it was the front office’s bold moves this past year that truly signaled a new era. In early February, the Lakers stunned the basketball world by acquiring 26-year-old superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks. The move was both a statement of intent and a bet on the future. By August, the Lakers doubled down, signing Dončić to a three-year, $165 million max extension, ensuring the Slovenian sensation will be at the heart of their plans for years to come.
Pelinka, for his part, was unequivocal about the team’s approach. “The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of how many years he’s going to continue to play,” he said during the news conference. “He’s earned that right, and he’s the best one to talk about that in terms of how many years he’d like to play. But we were very intentional this summer in terms of the pieces we added with Luka and LeBron—once LeBron opted in—making sure that they had the necessary pieces around them to be on a really competitive, strong team. And we built into that and for that.”
James’ future, however, remains the subject of intense speculation. After picking up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season in June, the four-time NBA MVP has not been offered an extension by the Lakers, according to a July 11 ESPN report. The same report revealed that James was not informed about the franchise’s sale from the Buss family to Mark Walter, while Dončić was reportedly clued in about the transaction. That difference in communication has not gone unnoticed by league watchers and has only fueled rumors about James’ long-term intentions.
Pelinka was pressed about the possibility of James wanting to play beyond the 2025-26 campaign. His answer was both diplomatic and heartfelt. “We would love if LeBron’s story would be to retire as a Laker,” Pelinka said, echoing sentiments he’s shared before. “That’d be a positive story.”
While James’ contract status is in flux, Redick’s future with the franchise is more secure than ever. After signing a four-year extension in June 2024, Redick has been publicly affirmed as the team’s basketball leader. Pelinka made it clear: “Just to make it clear that he’s the basketball leader in terms of our coaching and on-court performance,” he explained, highlighting Redick’s role in shaping “the culture of Lakers excellence.” The decision, Pelinka added, boiled down to “confidence and belief” in Redick’s ability to define the team’s identity and guide its long-term development.
Redick himself expressed gratitude for the organization’s faith in him. “It’s not lost on me, this sort of rarity of a first-time head coach getting an extension,” he said. “I recognize how fortunate I am to be in an organization that supports me in that way.” Redick’s connection with both James and Dončić appears to be a cornerstone of his coaching philosophy. “I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job as a coach to bring that out on a daily basis,” he said. On James, he doubled down: “[James is] in a great spot mentally and know he’s going to give us his absolute best.”
As for the supporting cast, Redick was less forthcoming. Unlike last season, when he announced his starters early, he’s keeping his cards close this time. “It’s not that important to me,” Redick said when asked about the starting lineup. “I haven’t spent a ton of time thinking about it. We certainly have a number of players—seven or eight starter-level players in the NBA. I do know this: I did say that last year. And that starting lineup started eight games together to start the season, and we started 24 lineups throughout the year. Not going to spend too much time banging my head against the wall on that before we have a practice.”
The Lakers’ approach this offseason has been one of calculated risk, blending experience with youth, and trusting in the chemistry between their two biggest stars. The franchise’s sale to Mark Walter, the addition of Dončić, and the commitment to Redick all point to a new chapter—one in which the Lakers hope to maintain their status as perennial contenders while navigating the inevitable transitions that come with NBA stardom and aging legends.
As the Lakers prepare to open training camp next week, the spotlight remains firmly on LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Will this be the season that marks a true changing of the guard in Los Angeles? Or will the blend of old and new propel the Lakers to another deep playoff run? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the Lakers’ storylines are as compelling as ever, and the basketball world will be watching every step of the way.
