Charles Barkley didn't hold back when asked where the balance of power lies with the Los Angeles Lakers these days. And in his view, it's no longer with LeBron James.
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"[LeBron is] on the downside of his career. It's Luka's team going forward," Barkley told Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz during a recent interview, offering a blunt assessment of the Lakers' shifting identity after acquiring Luka Doncic in a February blockbuster.
Just a few years ago, such a claim would have seemed outlandish. But this summer, it's hard to argue with the optics. James, 40, has fueled speculation about his future by remaining publicly silent on the Lakers' offseason moves, even while applauding a contract extension for Cleveland Cavaliers assistant GM Brandon Weems, a close friend from childhood.
"By doing what he's doing, he is absolutely poking the bear," said ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "And by the way, the Lakers are being passive aggressive back at LeBron."
Barkley, who finished his own Hall of Fame career as a role player in Houston, said James has the tools to adapt to a new dynamic — even if it means yielding the spotlight to Doncic.
The Lakers are now ‘Luka’s team moving forward’ 👀@jasonfitz and Charles Barkley discuss how L.A. should handle the transition of one generational superstar to another. pic.twitter.com/IW3rqmnD1m
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 12, 2025
"It's easy for LeBron because LeBron can play without the ball," Barkley said. "Luka has a big advantage because Luka has to play with the ball. LeBron is such a great player. He can play without the ball."
Still, Barkley made it clear the Western Conference hierarchy doesn't begin in Los Angeles.
"They got to worry about the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, and the Denver Nuggets," he said. "The Lakers are going to have a good team, but everything in the West starts with OKC, the Houston Rockets, and the Denver Nuggets."
For now, James remains under contract with the Lakers, and there's been no trade, buyout, or retirement. But if Barkley is right —and many around the NBA believe he is — the torch may have already been passed.
