Adam Minter, Columnist

The Lakers Thought LeBron Could Do the Impossible

May 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM UTC

Adam Minter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the business of sports. He is the author, most recently, of “Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale."

A superstar, but not a magician.
Photographer: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

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The Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended last night in a sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder. For LeBron James, now 41, it was another disappointing Hollywood ending. For the Lakers, it felt like the end of an era. A franchise that once relied on glamour to attract stars and win championships finally collided with the modern National Basketball Association.

Historically, the Lakers didn’t have to worry about evolution. They could rely on glitz and celebrity to bridge a talent gap. When the on-court chemistry stopped working, they didn’t slowly rebuild. They shopped.