"Free agent center Brook Lopez, who league sources said had strongly considered the Lakers and the potential starting role, grew wary of the uncertainty around James' future with the team and opted to sign with the rival LA Clippers, where he will be a backup," ESPN writes.

With the Los Angeles Lakers reorienting their plans around Luka Dončić and 2027 cap space, LeBron James finds himself in uncharted waters. For the first time in his career, he's not the focal point of his franchise.

It has been an interesting offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. For the first time in his career, James is not the face of the franchise. That title now belongs to Luka Doncic after the blockbuster mid-season trade brought the superstar to Los Angeles.