Recently, Los Angeles media Lake Show Life wrote that the Lakers are currently treating James's attitude is very clear, if he can no longer provide the performance to match the contract, the team will not open a huge contract.

ESPN reporter Wen Horst said, James did not propose to the Lakers to extend the contract, the Lakers did not open a contract extension offer, the two sides did not conduct any negotiations.

Lake Show Life writes that the Lakers are accepting the reality that James could make things less comfortable, but the team doesn't want to be in the predicament of offering James a mega-contract if he can't deliver another performance to match. The Lakers are building a roster around Doncic, and there is no reason to offer James another one-year deal in excess of $50 million.

James himself must also face the harsh reality that the team can not count on him to play in the playoffs at the level of superstar, his physical condition has now declined.

If James has a dominant season, the Lakers could try to sign him to a one-year extension next summer, which would be the easiest way for James to end his career as a Laker. But the Lakers won't change their stance; they are building their team around Doncic. The Lakers will be evaluated on their game performance in the new season, and James will have to wait.