LeBron James didn’t just join the Lakers—he redefined what this era of Lakers basketball would even look like. Since 2018, it’s been a whirlwind of legacy-building, record-breaking, and impossible consistency. He dragged a bubble squad through a pandemic and came out with a championship like it was just another Tuesday. He passed Kareem as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer—as a Laker, in Los Angeles, in front of that same Lakers crowd. Aging? Dude is 40 going on MVP. This LeBron era isn’t just a chapter in Lakers history—it’s a glorious saga.

But just as quickly as the LeBron era built itself into Lakers lore, the 2025 playoffs reminded everyone how brutal this league can be.  The Lakers, loaded with expectation after trading for Luka Dončić midseason, got bounced in the first round, 4-1 by the Timberwolves. The star duo looked elite on paper, but on the court? Not so much. Their chemistry never clicked, the defense couldn’t hold up, and JJ Redick’s aversion to playing traditional bigs made L.A. a soft target inside. Game 5 was a heartbreaker: LeBron went down with a left knee sprain in the fourth quarter after taking a screen from Donte DiVincenzo. He finished the game, but the 103–96 loss sealed their season.

And that’s where Paul Pierce came in, sharp as ever. The Celtics legend didn’t hold back when asked what the Lakers need to do next. “This is what needs to happen: if the Lakers want to get back to being a championship contender moving forward, you have to get out of the constraints of the LeBron James era,” Pierce said. “He’s had a grasp over the whole organization, bear-hugging them, for so long now.” It wasn’t all criticism—Pierce gave LeBron his due, calling him statue-worthy in L.A.—but made it clear that, in his eyes, the franchise can’t move forward until it lets go of its past.

Pierce’s argument centered around fit—specifically, how Luka Dončić thrives with high-level defenders and athletic rim-runners around him, not alongside another ball-dominant, aging star. “It’s time for the Luka era now, because I don’t know if you can play them together moving forward,” he said. And the numbers back that up.

Since LeBron arrived in 2018, the Lakers have made five playoff appearances and won it all in the 2020 Bubble—but haven’t made it past the first round in three of those five runs. Add in a 2024 In-Season Tournament win and a 2023 Conference Finals trip, and yes, there are highlights—but the foundation feels shaky. The idea of a “Luka era” isn’t just about changing players—it’s about reimagining what kind of basketball this team wants to play. And as Pierce suggests, that might mean finally turning the page.

And here’s where things get even more complicated—LeBron remains one of the highest-paid players in the league, and according to multiple reports, he’s not exactly eager to take a pay cut to ease the Lakers’ cap crunch.

LeBron James’ future? $52 million says he’s still all in

After the Lakers’ early playoff exit, the conversation didn’t just stick to missed rotations or chemistry issues—it veered straight into LeBron James’ future. But not just the “Will he retire?” stuff. The more immediate question on the table: is LeBron going to help this roster by taking a pay cut? Spoiler: probably not. Despite being 40 and heading into Year 22, he’s still one of the most productive players in the league—and one of the highest paid. His current deal with the Lakers is worth $101.3 million over two years. He’s finished year one and now holds a $52 million player option for next season. He can opt in and stay, or test free agency and potentially renegotiate a new deal.

LeBron hasn’t made a decision yet. When asked about retirement after Game 5, he told reporters, “I don’t have the answers to that. I’ll sit down with my family… and see what happens.” But according to multiple reports—including The Athletic—what he’s not expected to do is take another financial haircut. Last summer, he shaved about $2.7 million off his salary to help L.A. stay under the dreaded second apron and preserve roster flexibility. He even considered a deeper cut to help the team chase big names like James Harden, Klay Thompson, or DeMar DeRozan. None of those deals landed, and in the end, LeBron signed closer to his max.

And honestly? He’s earned it. Down the stretch this season and into the playoffs, LeBron was arguably the Lakers’ best two-way player. There’s no pressure on him to accept less. His contract includes a no-trade clause and a 15% trade kicker if he ever does choose to be moved—so the control is entirely in his hands. And with the 2025 free agent class looking weaker than last year’s, there’s even less incentive for him to take a discount this time around. The Lakers still have room under the second apron to maneuver if they get creative—but don’t expect that wiggle room to come from LeBron’s wallet.

The Lakers are at a crossroads, with LeBron’s legacy undeniable but Luka Dončić offering a potentially more balanced future. Paul Pierce’s call to move on from the LeBron-centric approach might be the reset L.A. needs—shifting focus to players who complement Luka’s skillset. The key to sustainable success could lie in embracing this new direction.