How LeBron James longest NBA marriage resulted in divorce

This needed to happen. LeBron James is returning for his unprecedented 24th NBA season, but not with the Lakers, with whom he spent the last eight seasons of his career, carrying them to a championship in 2020. This may seem surprising.But behind the scenes, tensions had been building.James wears his emotions on his sleeve.He often describes himself as a big kid who loves joking. You could tell he wasn’t happy. The well was poisoned when the Lakers made the biggest trade in NBA history without consulting him, acquiring Luka Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis in February 2025.The issue wasn’t that the Lakers dealt Davis, James’ good friend whom he had played alongside for 5 ¹/₂ seasons.

The issue was that his team was turned upside down without his knowledge.Without his consent.Until then, James had his fingerprints on everything.He was the sun.

Teams deferred to his will.Now a major decision had been made without him, signaling a drastic shift in the organization’s priorities.James was a good soldier.

Doncic was too.Even though they were blindsided, they viewed playing together as an opportunity.Doncic told The Post in January that he had been studying how James takes care of his body and prepares for games.

James told The Post, “I just love the kid,” adding, “I’m happy to be a small part of his journey.Hopefully, he can take something from me.”But throughout the season, it was obvious James and the Lakers were heading in different directions.

There were simmering undercurrents of strain and unease.Sometimes the signs were small.When James missed the first 14 games of the season because of sciatica, he wasn’t as animated as usual when he cheered on the Lakers from the bench.And while James and Davis used to chat in the locker room after games about everything ranging from football to their favorite wines, James and Doncic never quite developed that ease of rapport.Other times, the signs were obvious.There are very few moments in Jam...