LUKA DONčIć TAKES OVER: LEBRON JAMES'S AGE SHOWS IN NEW SUPPORTING ROLE
Lakers' decision not to extend LeBron James ($52.6M option) and focus on Luka Dončić ($165M extension) is validated by the team's 16-5 start and LeBron's age-related early-season injury struggles.
It makes sense that the Lakers built their 2025 offseason around Luka Dončić instead of LeBron James. Luka pretty much fell into their laps at the February deadline, changing their plans. The Lakers' top priority was to sign Luka, which they did with a three-year, $165 million extension. They didn't offer LeBron an extension.
LeBron took his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, putting him on an expiring contract for the first time. Even though not extending him felt wrong since he's LeBron James, it turned out to be the right call, as shown in the first quarter of the season.
He didn't play until Nov. 18 because of an irritated sciatic nerve, missing almost the entire first month. In the six games he's played, the soon-to-be 41-year-old has looked his age. He's not moving great and is a liability on defence, but it's his 23rd season. You can't stop ageing.
The Lakers made the right call not extending LeBron.
Back in 2024, LeBron signed a two-year, $104 million extension with a no-trade clause. His salary this season is the 12th highest in the league, just under Devin Booker, who signed a huge two-year, $145 million extension with the Suns this offseason.
LeBron has earned the right to be one of the highest-paid players ever, but his next contract (assuming he plays beyond this season) won't be as big as he's used to. This will definitely be the case if his body keeps struggling to keep up with the faster pace of the league.
Maybe things will change as the season goes on and LeBron gets his legs back after missing the beginning.
Rob Pelinka has said the Lakers want LeBron to retire with them, whenever that happens. So, not extending him last offseason doesn't mean they don't want him around.
When LeBron picked up his option in the summer, his agent, Rich Paul, said LeBron understood the Lakers were planning for the future, but he wanted a realistic chance of winning it all. It sounded like LeBron was thinking about asking for a trade, but he didn't. Now, he's in a good spot to win another title, even if the Lakers are focused on future financial flexibility. The team is currently second in the West with a 16-5 record.
A lot of people think Los Angeles' offseason looks better now than it did a few months ago.
WARRIORS' NEW DYNAMIC: STEVE KERR EXPLAINS HOW PAT SPENCER FITS WITH STEPH CURRY BACK
Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed Pat Spencer's excellent play (13.6 PPG, 59% FG) guarantees him minutes, even with Steph Curry returning to the backcourt rotation.
The Golden State Warriors may have found a gem in guard Pat Spencer while Steph Curry was out. It sounds like they plan to keep him in the mix.
Coach Steve Kerr talked on Tuesday about how Spencer will fit in now that Curry is back.
"I'm not going to cut his minutes completely," Kerr said about Spencer on the Willard & Dibs show on Tuesday, December 9. I plan to play him with Steph some. We'll see how it goes. It will depend on who we're playing, how well we defend, and which three guys we put out there with them. It's something we still need to figure out.”
Kerr added, But with how Pat is playing and how he’s helping us win and bringing a competitive attitude to the team. I have to keep playing him. We’re winning, and he’s a big reason why.
Spencer has played well in the 5 games since Curry got hurt.
Curry hurt his quadriceps against the Houston Rockets on November 26. He’s scheduled to be back on Friday, December 12, at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In those five games without Curry, the Warriors went 3-2. Spencer started in the last two wins.
In those five games, Spencer played about 23 minutes each night. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, plus almost one steal per game. He shot nearly 60% from the field and almost 67% from three on around two attempts a game.
The Warriors are now 13-12 for the season and are currently eighth in the Western Conference.
Draymond Green will practice before the Warriors' next game.
Curry is coming back on Friday after the team had five days off because they didn't make the NBA Cup tournament. Draymond Green, Curry's longtime teammate, is still uncertain.
Green has missed the last two games with a foot injury. Kerr hoped Green might return on Friday, but he doesn't have enough info yet.
Kerr said, "He's supposed to practice [Wednesday] and scrimmage [Thursday]." Afterwards, we'll know more about how close he is to coming back. I don't know yet if he'll be able to play on Friday.
After a three-game road trip in the East, the Warriors play one home game before going back on the road for two games out West. Golden State plays the Portland Trail Blazers on December 14 and then the Phoenix Suns on December 18.
"HE LOOKS GOOD OUT THERE":LEBRON JAMES PROUDLY PRAISES BRONNY'S NBA IMPROVEMENT
LeBron admits balancing team leadership with advising Bronny is hard, but says the young Laker star must experience challenges to reach his full potential.
LeBron James missed training camp and the first 14 games this season—a first for him. All he could do was watch.
He got to see the Lakers start strong at 10-4, and he watched Bronny James grow as a player.
Bronny stood out in the Summer League in Las Vegas. When the season started, he even started a game against the Bucks. One of his best games was against the Hawks, where he shot 4-6 and scored 9 points.
LeBron talked about how much he enjoys watching Bronny improve on his “Mind The Game” podcast.
“It’s been great, as a father and someone who loves the game, to see him build on what he did in the G League, get comfortable, and then do even better in the Summer League. Now, when he gets his chances this year, he just looks good out there. Young players get better with more time on the court.
“You pick up the little things, and you get used to the speed and strength of the game. I was really proud of him in those games when Luka, AR, or Marcus was out. He played well at home and then had a tough back-to-back in Portland and did it again. That’s what the NBA is all about.”
Every player's path is different, but Bronny's is unique. As part of the first father-son duo in the NBA, he's under a huge spotlight, especially as a late second-round pick.
He seems to handle it well, though he admitted the pressure got to him at first. Now that things have calmed down, he can focus on his game.
Even with less media attention, Bronny’s situation is still special. His dad is not just his coworker but also one of the best to ever play the game.
Bronny can’t change that. LeBron has to figure out how to handle it, as he mentioned on the podcast.
“It’s a tricky balance. During practice and games, I’m a leader on the team. But we also have time where I can give him advice based on what I see. He has to go his own way, and I can share what I’ve learned, but he needs to experience things for himself. Going through those challenges will teach him the most.”
Despite some concerns about the LeBron-Bronny dynamic, it hasn’t been a problem.
Bronny is getting better and looks more comfortable in NBA games. The Lakers are one of the top teams in the West, so it’s tough for him to get consistent playing time. Still, he’s ready, and he’ll get his chance when injuries happen.
If Bronny keeps working hard and improving, he’ll reach his full potential, and that’s what matters most.