NBA version of the NBA version of the wine to release military power? 22 years have passed, James has never been so neglected

ESPN famous reporter Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst jointly reported, revealing many inside stories of the Lakers this season, involving James' future, Doncic's trade, and the Lakers' future plans. There are a lot of explosive information and the full text is long. The version after Alang compiled is as follows:

Craig Restaurant on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood has two entrances. Celebrities who don't mind being photographed by paparazzi outside the restaurant will enter through the front door. Those who do not want to be seen will enter through the private entrance on the back door.

On May 3, the fourth day after the Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves, Craig Restaurant reserved a private compartment for the four VIPs: Doncic and his agent Sieger, Lakers General Manager Pelinka, and head coach Redick.

James - the core figure in every decision and strategy of the Lakers over the past seven years, has not attended - or rather, been invited.

Redick, Pelinka and Sieg enter through the front door, while Doncic enters through the back door.

But all four left through the front door, and the paparazzi and fans saw them and took the video. Doncic even stopped to sign a few names before leaving.

The purpose of this meeting is just like the way they left: the Lakers declared Doncic as the team's facade—they want everyone to know this, including James.

Sources told ESPN that during that supper meal, Pelinka and Redick not only explained the strategy to Doncic about building a team around his technical characteristics, but also patiently explained the complexity of the NBA's new labor-capital agreement and how they plan to deal with it.

Pellinka turned the dinner into a work meeting and brought a thick folder.

The folder records the Lakers' offseason plan and longer-term strategic planning.

In the past, that folder was often presented to James in such meetings.

Since completing the shocking transaction, Pelinka has maintained close communication with Doncic. Because they are keenly aware that Doncic will be eligible to renew his contract with the team from August 2.

No matter how it worked before, there is only one most important thing for the Lakers during the offseason: getting Doncic's promise to renew the contract.

Doncic can be a free agent next summer, but that will upset the Lakers, and they will do their best to finalize an early renewal.

Doncic can sign a four-year, $223 million contract, or it may be more inclined to three-year, 160 million, and the Lakers will happily accept any option.

But they may need to be patient: Doncic will represent the Slovenian national team in the European Championship this summer, and the event will continue until mid-September, and the renewal may be delayed until then.

When the group left the front door, the Lakers tactfully sent the public a message that they were ready to start the Doncic era in Los Angeles, even if it meant that James' era was about to end.

Less than two months after the dinner meeting with Doncic, James also conveyed his attitude through Ritchie Paul.

"We understand that it is not easy to strive for the current championship and prepare for the future. We do want to evaluate what is the best for LeBron at this stage of his career," Paul said in a statement to Shams before James decided to execute the $52.6 million player option in his last year in his contract.

"He hopes that every remaining season he has made sense. The Lakers understand this and support him very much. I hope he can get the best result."

This statement immediately caused an uproar in the NBA. This reads like a farewell letter, suggesting that a larger plan is brewing. Executives from the

league teams interpreted the statement one after another.

An Eastern Conference executive firmly believes that James wants to leave Los Angeles.

It is reported that several teams, including the Warriors, are again considering whether to offer a offer for James.

A Western Conference executive believes that this is nothing more than a carefully planned hype because the Lakers don't offer James a new contract, and James needs to vent his emotions.

Another Western Conference executive believes that this is putting pressure on the Lakers management to build their teams this season, rather than insisting on clearing the cap space for the summers of 2026 and 2027 after James' salary expires.

No matter what the reason is, James' decision has affected the fate of many people. League sources revealed that Daluo was originally considering joining the Lakers because he could start there, but due to uncertainty about James' future with the team, he eventually chose to sign with the Clippers - even if he had to play as a substitute.

Before Ritchie Paul issued the statement, he also informed Doncic and the Lakers in advance.

Sources said Paul called Sieg, who had a friendship with him, and wanted to show goodwill. He wanted to make it clear that James has always admired Doncic and knew that Doncic understood the business operations of the league. This is not what James has to say about them playing together.

Paul also said that if James finally takes any further action, he will communicate in time.

James understands the Lakers' idea of helping Doncic take over. But sources said that in James' view, some details were disappointed in this transition.

Doncic never asked to be a member of the Lakers, and James chose to come to Los Angeles by himself. When he joined in 2018, the Lakers had missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the team's worst record since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. Two years later, James helped the team win the 17th championship in team history..

Sources also said that James' execution of the player option was actually a helpless move. Because before that, the Lakers did not take the initiative to discuss renewal with him - this is the first time James has received such a cold reception since joining the Lakers and even entering the NBA. The Lakers have shown their attitude. Whether the 2025-2026 season will become James' last dance depends on himself. But if he wants to have a Hollywood-style finale that only the Lakers can provide, then the date for this ending has been determined -

Spring 2026.

By then, the Doncic era begins and the James era ends.

If James finally decides to retire, the Lakers will of course hold a grand retirement tour for him just like they would bid farewell to Kobe in 2016. But compared to the Lakers' current attitude, the tour seems to be less important.

Sources said that the Lakers' attitude was not beyond James' expectations, but he still struggled to accept it.

Since the Doncic's trade was concluded, the Lakers have hinted through a series of subtle actions that the team is transitioning from the James era to the Doncic era:

They did not notify James in advance of the trade of Doncic with Davis. Sources said James forgives this because he respects Doncic and understands that the team needs to keep the deal as confidential as possible. Within a few days after getting Doncic, Pelinka tried to match him with Williams, a young athletic center. And Davis and James have been asking for the introduction of a real center for many years, but they have gained nothing.

On June 18, when the Bass family agreed to sell the team's majority stake to Mark Walter, Doncic received the news in advance and posted a congratulations on social media afterwards. James did not, and did not make any public statement afterwards.

James' response to this treatment was a vague hint at his thoughts, which he had done several times during his career when he was dissatisfied with the team.

After the Lakers were eliminated, when asked whether they were more struggling in the confrontation after losing Thick Brows, James said: "Nothing to say. Because my brother AD said what he needed, he was traded."

After executing the player options and publishing the statement that triggered many speculations in the NBA offseason, James further sparked heated discussions through a series of social media posts, all of which were related to the Cavaliers.

On July 4, he reposted a photo of the Lakers commenting on Ellie wearing a Cavaliers jersey and commented: "Garment is appropriate." Ellie is from Cleveland and worked for the Cavaliers during her time with James from 2014 to 2018.

Two days ago, he posted a video of himself playing golf in Cleveland, in which he wore a hat with the words "Welcome Home".

Ritchie Paul's explanation is that James wears the hat to support his friend Paul Rivera. Rivera is the co-creator of James’ show The Shop, who recently created a new media company called “Homecoming.”

But many people don't think so.

"Everything LeBron does is not accidental," said a source who knows him well.

James considers a bigger plan when doing anything.

There are many big planned anniversary this week. Tuesday marks the 15th anniversary of his "decision" to leave the Cavaliers to join the Heat. Wednesday marks the 11th anniversary of his decision to return to the Cavaliers through the Sports Illustrated cover story.

But this time, James' plan was disrupted.

For the past five years, James has been building his mansion on a hilltop in Beverly Hills. It took him three years to get all the licenses, according to reports. His kids attend school in Los Angeles. His company is also in Los Angeles. He lives in Los Angeles almost all except returning home and on vacation every year.

However, the trade that introduced Doncic, the team's sale to Walter, and a series of events clearly show that the Lakers are focusing on the future of another person.

James has never encountered such a situation. As one of the most capable players in NBA history who can control his destiny, he has always firmly grasped his destiny with his vision and unprecedented influence.

Now, at the end of his career, a turning point that he had never expected himself has appeared.