“At Some Point, It’s Somebody’s Turn”: Stephen A. Smith Explains Why LeBron James Shouldn’t Feel Disrespected as Lakers Hand the Keys to Luka Dončić
For nearly two decades, the NBA has revolved around LeBron James. From his first days in Cleveland to his championships in Miami, back to delivering a title to his hometown Cavaliers, and eventually bringing the Los Angeles Lakers their 17th banner in 2020, LeBron’s voice has carried weight unlike any other. Roster moves, coaching hires, even team identity when LeBron spoke, franchises listened.
But in 2025, things feel different in Los Angeles. For the first time in the LeBron era, the Lakers are unapologetically building around someone else: Luka Dončić.
This isn’t a rumor. This offseason, Dončić reportedly had direct involvement in the recruitment of new teammates, including Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart moves designed specifically to complement Luka’s game. Meanwhile, LeBron wasn’t in those rooms. Instead, he spent his summer traveling, golfing with his son Bronny, and enjoying family time. To some of his most loyal fans, that absence and the Lakers’ willingness to move forward without his input feels like a slap in the face.
But not to Stephen A. Smith. The outspoken ESPN commentator believes that this transition is both natural and overdue.
“That’s Business” – Stephen A.’s Perspective
On Gil’s Arena, Smith laid out the blunt truth: LeBron James has no reason to feel disrespected.
“They got new blood,” Stephen A. said. “A cat that’s going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade, where [LeBron] is contemplating walking away from the game in the next year or two. Last time I checked, that’s business.”
And beyond that? Smith pointed to the money. “It’s pretty hard to be insulted when you’re being paid $52 million for one year’s work. Don’t get me wrong, he deserves more. But you’re still getting $52 million. You need to get over that.”
In Smith’s view, the Lakers aren’t disrespecting James—they’re simply preparing for the future. Every superstar has their moment when the spotlight shifts.
The Aftermath of the Bubble Title
Since the Lakers’ 2020 championship inside the Orlando bubble, the front office has consistently catered to LeBron’s wishes. He wanted Russell Westbrook, they delivered Russ at great cost. He wanted JJ Redick as coach, they gave him his podcast co-host.
But 2025 is a turning point. Dončić, not James, is the franchise cornerstone. For the Lakers, it’s less about loyalty to the past and more about securing the future.
And to Stephen A., that’s fair. “At some point in time, it’s somebody else’s turn,” he said. “This brother [Luka] is that special, and it cannot be ignored.”
Luka’s Arrival Redefines Everything
The shift in power isn’t just symbolic it’s seismic. Luka Dončić isn’t just a star; he’s a generational talent whose numbers already place him alongside the greatest to ever play. In the postseason, he’s putting up statistical lines that compare only to Michael Jordan. At just 26 years old, he represents both the present and the next decade for the Lakers.
With Luka at the center, Los Angeles has started to recruit and build differently. Ayton gives him a pick-and-roll partner. Marcus Smart gives him a defensive-minded guard to take pressure off his shoulders. The Lakers’ system, identity, and future all orbit around Luka now.
For a player like LeBron whose career has been defined by always being the guy this shift could easily sting. But according to Smith, it’s less about rejection and more about evolution.
LeBron’s Quiet Acceptance
Interestingly, the “LeBron feels slighted” narrative isn’t actually coming from James himself. It’s being pushed by media members and commentators. NBA analyst Ethan Skolnick even suggested that James has already come to terms with his new role.
“This feels to me like the Lakers want to pivot,” Skolnick said. “He doesn’t like not being celebrated… but it just feels like he recognizes he’s not their priority anymore.”
LeBron, however, hasn’t shown signs of bitterness. By opting into his $52.5 million player option for 2025-26, he’s committed to running it back for at least one more year in purple and gold. According to his agent, Rich Paul, the focus this offseason has been on enjoying family and leisure, not dwelling on headlines about power shifts.
The Bigger Picture: Legacy and Transition
In many ways, this moment mirrors transitions of the past. Kareem eventually gave way to Magic. Magic to Kobe. Kobe to LeBron. And now, LeBron to Luka.
The challenge for LeBron isn’t about control it’s about legacy. He’s spent 22 years setting records, changing narratives, and proving doubters wrong. Now, as the Lakers pivot toward Dončić, James has a chance to show the league what grace in transition looks like. Can he coexist with Luka not just as a teammate, but as a partner in building a new era? Can he embrace the role of co-star while still proving he’s “that dude” on the court?
For the NBA, this transition is monumental. It represents the official passing of the torch from one generational icon to the next. Luka isn’t just a great player he’s the chosen heir in Los Angeles, the city that has always defined basketball royalty.
The Bottom Line
Stephen A. Smith’s message is clear: LeBron James has nothing to feel disrespected about. He’s still making $52 million. He’s still one of the greatest players alive. But the Lakers, like any smart organization, are thinking about the next decade, not just the next season.
“At some point in time, it’s somebody’s turn,” Smith said.
For twenty years, that turn belonged to LeBron James. Now, it belongs to Luka Dončić.
But if history has taught us anything, it’s that LeBron never fades quietly. If the Lakers do make Luka the centerpiece, don’t be surprised if LeBron uses this very moment the so-called passing of the torch as motivation to remind the basketball world that his flame still burns.
And that, in itself, may make this Lakers season one of the most compelling in NBA history.
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