Lakers Want To Keep Their Salary-Sheet Clean For 2026; Plan To Find Luka Doncic's Future Partner In Two Ways
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly committed to keeping their salary sheet clean for the summer of 2026, with a long-term plan that centers around finding Luka Doncic's future co-star. According to Dan Woike, the franchise is positioning itself to make a major move once it gains access to its 2026, 2031, and 2033 first-round picks.
Advertisement
"Much of the tension appears to stem from the Lakers' desire to keep their salary-cap sheet as clear as possible starting next summer, allowing them to find Luka Doncic's future partner either in free agency or via trade, when they'll have access to use first-round picks in 2026, 2031 and 2033 for a single trade."
That timeline, however, is not sitting well with LeBron James. Despite opting into the final year of his $52.6 million deal, the relationship between LeBron and the Lakers has become strained, with reports suggesting that James feels disrespected by the team's decision to prioritize Doncic's long-term timeline over winning right now.
At the heart of this tension lies a philosophical divide. LeBron, who will turn 41 during the 2025–26 season, wants to maximize what remains of his prime with a championship push.
His agent, Rich Paul, made that clear when James chose to opt in. Paul's statement hinted at an understanding between both parties but also a need to 'evaluate what's best' for LeBron moving forward. For the Lakers, that 'best' apparently involves a future with Doncic as the franchise centerpiece, surrounded by younger stars, and potentially paired with another max-level talent acquired in 2026.
Advertisement
The Lakers' strategy revolves around flexibility. With no major long-term contracts outside of Doncic, who arrived via trade this offseason, the team wants to maintain cap space and draft capital for 2026, the first offseason where they can package three first-round picks in a single blockbuster deal.
That could be used to acquire Doncic's co-star via trade, or to lure a free agent looking to join one of the game's premier young talents in Los Angeles.
It's a smart long-term play, especially given the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement and its harsh luxury tax penalties. Still, for James, whose clock is ticking, this approach feels like a betrayal of their previous win-now ethos.
James' frustrations are not just based on projections. Over the past 18 months, the cracks have been visible. ESPN reported that LeBron felt the organization's priorities had shifted away from him.
Advertisement
The front office's refusal to offer a contract extension this summer, combined with their tepid trade efforts, sent a clear message: the franchise is no longer willing to mortgage the future to appease its aging star. For a player who's been the Lakers' engine, face, and savior since 2018, that realization stings.
The Las Vegas Summer League only added to the intrigue. LeBron arrived courtside with family, cheered on Bronny, and interacted with team staff, but the real story was what he didn't say.
There were no public endorsements of the front office, no declarations about 'unfinished business,' and no signals that he's locked in beyond this season. While his presence appeared cordial, the undercurrent of tension remains very real.
In the end, this may come down to irreconcilable timelines. The Lakers want to build for Doncic. LeBron wants to win now. And somewhere between the lines of loyalty, legacy, and long-term planning, the greatest player of this generation may quietly be preparing for his final exit from Los Angeles.
Related: Luka Doncic Confirms He Loves Playing With LeBron James: "It's An Honor To Be His Teammate..."
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
8 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Citi Shares Climb to Highest Since 2008 on Stock Buyback Plan
Citigroup Inc. shares rose to the highest level since 2008 after the bank said it would ramp up stock buybacks following a strong result in regulatory stress tests. The bank plans to repurchase at least $4 billion of shares this quarter, Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason said Tuesday on a call with analysts. That's more than the $3.75 billion the firm bought back in the entire first half of the year, and the plans helped push the stock briefly past $90 for the first time since the financial crisis.
Fox News
14 minutes ago
- Fox News
Fox News lands licensing deal with popular 'Ruthless' podcast as part of expansion into new media
FOX News Media announced Tuesday it has landed a licensing deal with the popular "Ruthless" podcast as part of the company's expansion into new media. "The FOX News Media ecosystem we have built over the past seven years continues to thrive and set new records, and the 'Ruthless' deal is a natural extension of our powerhouse brand as audiences reshape how they consume quality content," FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement Tuesday. "We have cultivated an unrivaled bench of successful personalities who are well-positioned to excel in today's evolving media landscape, where podcasting offers the kind of deep engagement our platforms are known for." Fox News Digital President and Editor-in-Chief Porter Berry will be expanding his role to oversee the new media venture. "Porter is a talented executive whose leadership will enhance these new media ventures and creators, while further strengthening FOX News Digital," Scott said. "I am honored to step into the New Media role and advance Suzanne's bold vision across digital, social, and podcasting," Berry said. "As the creator economy continues to evolve — a spirit that 'Ruthless' has championed from the start — we are expanding our reach to meet audiences wherever they engage with FOX News Media content, which remains in a league of its own." The "Ruthless" co-hosts said in a joint statement, "We are thrilled to take 'Ruthless' to the next level through this strategic partnership. There is a growing appetite for authentic political and cultural conversations, and our podcast delivers with no-holds-barred, irreverent takes that deeply resonate with our dedicated audience." What began as a tiny audio podcast has become one of the most iconic conservative brands in the digital age. "Ruthless" was launched in October 2020 by Republican strategist Josh Holmes and the internet personality known as Comfortably Smug with the mission of bringing fun to conservative politics. Liberals were immediately incensed by its name as "Ruthless" made its debut just days after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "We felt like there was a real hole in the conservative media landscape for people who enjoy politics, but want to have fun while doing it. They want to know what's really going on, but could do without the ideological lecture," Holmes told Fox News Digital at the time of the launch. Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook, who worked alongside Holmes in their day jobs at their consulting firm Calvary, would later join "Ruthless" as co-hosts, rounding out the personalities on the "variety progrum." "Ruthless" has since become a must-stop for GOP lawmakers, congressional candidates, and presidential hopefuls. The hosts set up shop outside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the first GOP presidential debate in August 2023 and the RNC convention in July 2024, providing NFL-style event coverage. In October 2024, they were later joined by future Vice President J.D. Vance for a special fishing trip competition. In addition to tackling the news of the day and hot-button discussions among Republicans, which the hosts often refer to as giving the audience their "vegetables," they also provide plenty of "candy" whether it's in the form of animal news and debates over what's the largest animal they think they can kill with their bare hands, their takedowns of the liberal media, or playing their signature games. Those include "Dem or Journo," where the hosts have to guess which of four social media posts was written by a Democratic operative versus members of the media, and "Veep or Veep," the Biden-era challenge of deciphering whether a quote came from then-Vice President Kamala Harris or the fictitious Selina Meyer played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus on HBO's "Veep." Perhaps the most high-stakes game is their weekly "King of the Hill," where two hosts compete over which "Never Trump" pundit of their choosing has the most wild hot takes posted on social media in the past week. They've also taken fun to X with their annual NCAA-style Liberal Hack Tournament (or #HackMadness). "Ruthless" listeners fill out brackets of 64 liberal media figures and vote in polls conducted by Smug on who they think is the biggest hack. The "Ruthless" co-hosts have sought to bridge the divide among conservatives between the more traditional, establishment Republicans and the MAGA base. Holmes, Duncan and Ashbrook are all veteran staffers of outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., while Smug cultivated his following on the online right. But perhaps at the center of the podcast's growing audience is the trust the co-hosts have earned from their listeners. Holmes, Smug, Duncan and Ashbrook aren't afraid to discuss hard truths for conservatives over the years, from tackling Trump's defeat in the 2020 election to the underwhelming 2022 midterm results for Republicans. They also provide insight from their experience on Capitol Hill to explain the complexities of legislation, most recently the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Politico dubbed "Ruthless" stars the "bad boys of conservative talk" with many outlets declaring the podcast the right's answer to "Pod Save America," the influential left-wing podcast hosted by former Obama aides and speechwriters often referred to as "Obama Bros." A recent poll conducted by National Research, Inc. found that "Ruthless" is a top news source among men ages 18-45. The influence of "Ruthless" reached all the way to the White House as Ashbrook was among the first to sit in the "new media" seat established by the Trump administration for the White House press briefing, which wasn't to the elite media's liking. "I've interacted with a lot of these same reporters as a press secretary back in the day. So, when I walked into the room, I saw a lot of eye rolls and a lot of smirks and that is exactly what I was hoping for," Ashbrook told Fox News' Will Cain in January. Smug signs off every podcast by telling listeners," "Keep the faith, hold the line, and own the libs… Stay ruthless." New episodes of "Ruthless" are released every Tuesday and Thursday on all podcast platforms and YouTube.
CNN
14 minutes ago
- CNN
Apple just spent $500 million to source a material that's critical for iPhones from the US
Apple is investing $500 million in a deal with US rare earths company MP Materials as the iPhone maker faces pressure from President Donald Trump to produce its popular smartphones domestically. As part of the partnership announced on Tuesday, Apple committed to buying rare earth magnets directly from MP Materials to help bolster its US supply chain. Apple will also collaborate with the company on a new recycling line in California, which will repurpose recycled rare earth materials to use in Apple products. The move is part of a $500 billion investment Apple announced earlier this year to expand its US operations as the Trump administration pushes to onshore technology manufacturing and reduce reliance on China. Rare earths, which are critical for everything from smartphones to TVs and military jets, have been a key bargaining chip in trade talks between Washington and Beijing. That's because China controls nearly all rare earths processing. 'American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we're proud to deepen our investment in the US economy,' Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release. 'Rare earth materials are essential for making advanced technology, and this partnership will help strengthen the supply of these vital materials here in the United States.' MP Materials' facility in Fort Worth, Texas, will create new magnet manufacturing lines specifically for Apple products. Shipments are expected to begin in 2027 and will eventually support 'hundreds of millions of Apple devices,' according to MP Materials. The materials will be delivered throughout the United States and around the world. Apple says the expansion will create dozens of new jobs. Both companies will also provide training to develop a US workforce for magnet manufacturing. China has a virtual monopoly on rare earth elements, which are critical components for everyday products from smartphones to wind turbines to LED lights and flat-screen TVs. They're also crucial for batteries in electric vehicles as well as MRI scanners and cancer treatments. The name rare earths is also a bit of a misnomer. The materials are found throughout the Earth's crust but are difficult and costly to extract and process. China has the only equipment needed to process some of the various elements and currently controls 92% of the global output in the processing stage. While the MP Materials deal could help Apple curry favor with Trump amid tariff threats, it also aligns with Apple's efforts to incorporate more recycled materials into its products – a plan already in place long before Trump took office. The iPhone 16e, which launched earlier this year, includes 30 percent recycled content, for example. Apple says it uses recycled rare earths in its major products, including in magnets found in the latest iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBook and Mac models. The Trump administration has been pushing for Apple and other tech giants to produce their products in the United States rather than rely on assembly facilities and supply chain operations largely located in China, India and Vietnam. 'I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone's that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,' Trump posted on Truth Social in May. 'If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.' Apple hasn't discussed plans to move iPhone manufacturing to the US, and doing so seems unlikely. That's because it would require the tech giant to upend how it builds its most lucrative product. Critically, Apple and MP Manufacturing's collaboration involves developing the talent pool needed for magnet manufacturing. That's part of the reason why it's so challenging to move iPhone production to the United States – America lacks the highly specialized labor required to do so, experts have said. 'The expertise to make each of the components is something that has to be worked on for a long period of time,' David Marcotte, senior vice president at international market research company Kantar, previously told CNN. Cook has also spoken about the labor gap in the past, describing the workforce in China as being a combination of 'craftsman' skills, 'sophisticated robotics' and 'the computer science world' when speaking at a Fortune Magazine event in 2017. But the commitment to invest in US-sourced rare earths is likely to please Trump. The president has touted Apple's previous investment announcement as a victory in his efforts to boost American manufacturing. Apple is just one of many tech giants that have expanded their American footprint over the past several months. Texas Instruments committed $60 billion to make semiconductors in the United States in June, and Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC invested $100 billion in US manufacturing in March. Leading AI chipmaker Nvidia also said it would build its supercomputers in the United States in April. – CNN's Chris Isidore contributed to this report
