LeBron James quit drinking in hopes of keeping up with younger players

We recently had some news out of Los Angeles that might make Lakers fans’ heads spin. According to a new report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are signaling a definitive point guard change, effectively turning the page on LeBron James to focus entirely on Luka Doncic.

The franchise now views Doncic as its undisputed cornerstone, a sentiment heightened by recent internal friction and James’ struggles with injuries this season. While the 41-year-old forward’s future remains a mystery, with speculation ranging from retirement to signing elsewhere for the 2026-27 campaign, the organization has clearly prioritized building around its younger star.

James has appeared in limited contests this year due to health issues, but the front office sees Doncic as the main driver of their future.

Despite the narrative shifting away from him, James maintained a high level of professional discipline to stay on the floor. According to ESPN, although he missed the first 14 games with sciatica, he showed intense commitment during his recovery.

LeBron James also revealed that he completely stopped drinking alcohol during rehab and lost a lot of weight. This physical transformation is designed to ease the strain on his wrists and back, allowing the veteran to better keep up with the young guys as the team looks to make a potential run this spring.

The chemistry between the past and future faces of the franchise was evident after the recent win over the Dallas Mavericks. James praised Doncic for reaching a new level of comfort since his trade from Dallas a year ago.

He also pointed out that Dončić has fully accepted the city and the system, noting that the entire list gathers around him. This performance was particularly significant as Doncic returned to his old stomping grounds, showing results in an off-season dedicated to improving his fitness after facing criticism regarding his fitness.

With the Lakers sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference standings, the transition of power appears to have been a success, with Doncic holding the keys to the franchise while a leaner James adjusts to support the vision.