Wed Jul 02 22:00:00 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**
An NBA insider, John Gambadoro, claims that LeBron James and Austin Reaves are reportedly unhappy playing alongside Luka Doncic on the Los Angeles Lakers. Gambadoro suggests James may struggle with no longer being the team’s primary player, now that the Lakers are built around Doncic. This contrasts with previous public statements where James praised Doncic. Interestingly, statistics show Reaves actually performs better alongside Doncic. While defensive liabilities between Doncic and Reaves were exploited in the playoffs, Reaves has downplayed these concerns. While Reaves was initially rumored for trade, attention has shifted to James potentially leaving if he feels the team cannot contend for a title. Doncic is expected to remain with the Lakers long-term, solidifying his position as the franchise cornerstone.
**News Article:**
**Report: Friction in Lakers Locker Room as James and Reaves Allegedly Clash with Doncic**
Los Angeles – Despite outward appearances of a harmonious transition, rumblings of discontent are emerging from the Los Angeles Lakers’ locker room. According to NBA insider John Gambadoro, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are reportedly unhappy playing with Luka Doncic, a claim that has sent shockwaves through the NBA.
“LeBron does not like playing with Luka,” Gambadoro stated on the “Burns and Gambo Show”. “Reaves does not like playing with Luka… LeBron is not fond of playing with Luka.”
Gambadoro also hinted at James struggling to adapt to a secondary role, suggesting the Lakers are now unequivocally Doncic’s team. This shift could reportedly influence James’ decision to remain with the franchise, with Gambadoro stating he “wouldn’t say it’s a guaranteed no-brainer LeBron comes back to the Lakers.”
The claims are particularly surprising considering James’ previously glowing remarks about Doncic’s game. Further, statistics seem to contradict the reported unhappiness of Austin Reaves, who actually sees an uptick in key offensive categories when playing alongside the Slovenian superstar, including increased scoring efficiency.
While the duo of Doncic and Reaves have drawn criticism for defensive shortcomings, Reaves has publicly dismissed these concerns.
Despite the internal rumblings, Doncic is widely expected to sign a long-term extension with the Lakers this August, solidifying his place as the franchise’s future. Speculation that Austin Reaves would be traded this off-season has shifted toward to the possibility of James looking to leave the organization to compete for more championships.
The future of the Lakers roster remains uncertain, with Doncic firmly at the helm and both James and Reaves potentially looking elsewhere, but only time will tell if the Lakers are able to figure things out for the 2025-26 season.
First Piper 