The 2025-26 NBA season marks LeBron James’ eighth campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Believe it or not, this is the longest LeBron James has played for an organization in a single stint, as the 4x NBA champion is nearing retirement.
When LBJ joined the LA Lakers, he was tasked with reviving the iconic franchise, and he did so by leading the Purple and Gold to the 2020 NBA Championship.
Where will LeBron James play next season?
Evidently, James commanded a lot of respect in the locker room during that championship run, but fast forward to now, and the 4x NBA MVP has lost it, per Markieff Morris.
Markieff Morris on the current LA Lakers players not respecting LeBron James
Morris is a player who was a member of the 2019-20 Lakers roster and saw James’ impact on the team firsthand.
Kieff also joined the Lakers in a veteran role during the 2024-25 NBA season, but he noticed an entirely different vibe around James.
“Being with the Lakers last year, I felt a lot of times that the respect was not high enough as it should have been,” he said on the Morris Code podcast.
Morris added: “I can say, before 2020, the bubble run? Way different feeling. Way f______ different feeling when it comes to like who we’re talking to.”
Over the years, Lakers fans have somewhat turned against James due to the team’s lack of success in the postseason since their 2020 NBA Championship run.
But the tipping point seems to have been the addition of Luka Doncic to the Lakers last season, when he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks.
Markieff Morris confronted LeBron James about his lack of respect among the LA Lakers players
The retired forward continued and addressed Doncic’s addition to the roster while also revealing he confronted James about his reduced respect in the locker room.
“Now, you did get Luka, so it’s gonna be [his team], but I just felt that respect wasn’t high enough,” Morris continued.
He concluded, stating: “I actually said it to him a couple times like, ‘Bro, what the f___? These n_____ got you f_____ up.’ I’m confused.”
Do you think this will be LeBron James’ final season?
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If what Morris revealed is the truth, then it makes sense why James may potentially leave the Lakers after this season.
After all, he opted into his $52.6 million player option rather than signing an extension during the offseason.
Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say