Suddenly! The Lakers officially announced that they would not renew their contract: Is the end of an era or a new beginning?

The Lakers pressed the countdown button with their own hands, and the last season of 41-year-old James suddenly turned into a farewell tour.

On July 12, ESPN revealed the truth: the team management has notified the LeBron team that the contract will not be renewed after the contract expires in the spring of 2026. The cruel fact is that when Doncic walked into the Los Angeles Craig 's restaurant to meet the new coach Redick, the bell of James' departure was already ringing. The traces of the transfer of power are more dazzling than expected. In February, the deal for Davis for Doncic did not inform James in advance, and the new boss Walter in June only informed the Slovenians of the 10 billion acquisition. In May's team's future meeting simply left the seven-year core outside the door. Pelinka wrote memos with actions: The Lakers bet on the free market in 2027, not the fifth championship of the 41-year-old man.

The ironiest contrast is tearing apart the locker room. James's team shouted "Win in the present", but the management refused to strengthen its combat power in order to make room; Doncic could sign a super maximum salary of 223 million in four years, and the historical scoring champion could not even get a promise for the basic salary. What's even more heartbreaking is that the Warriors and Knicks teams contacted Ricci Paul overnight. The first round offer and the Cavaliers' "only take over buyout" form an absurd spectrum - it turns out that the so-called GOAT is just a contract expired in the eyes of actuaries.

The spectators suddenly woke up: he brought the championship and the market value increase of 10 billion yuan in the past seven years, which ultimately could not match the reconstruction timetable. When fans were graffitiing "THANKS KING" outside Staples and "TRAITORS", the Lakers' official website was pushing Doncic training videos. The cold logic of the business league has never been so naked - the legendary curtain call needs flowers, but the team only has salary space and a 25-year-old future.

At the negotiation table for renewal after the September European Championship, every zero that Doncic's pen tip is covering the James era. The so-called "The Lakers' exclusive farewell gift"? Don't be naive. In the eyes of NBA capital, decency is never a match for the reconstruction timetable.