The pairing that was sold as the Los Angeles Lakers’ present and future is being reread as a problem that never actually worked. Bill Simmons said as much on his Ringer podcast this week, and he did not hedge.

“I don’t think the relationship with Luka was good, and I think we can safely say that,” Simmons told his listeners.

He said James looked “pretty miserable” through the 2025-26 campaign and “knew it wasn’t his team.” The way James left, and where he went, is now being cited as corroboration.

A huge pay cut, and a quieter role

James signed a two-year, $8m deal with the Philadelphia 76ers in July as an unrestricted free agent, having earned $52.6m with the Lakers in 2025-26. At 41, he is playing behind Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid rather than running the offence.

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James said at the time of signing that he had “more to give” and wanted to “help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team.”

Philadelphia improved to 7-1 on 3 November with a 126-107 home win over the Chicago Bulls. Maxey led the scoring with 26 points and 11 assists. James added 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

Doncic has never scored more

Doncic is averaging 38.3 points a game while shooting 42.7% from three, and he has become the first player to score 250 points and make 40 three-pointers in his first seven outings of a season.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s team sits 6-2 and leans on that load every night. Redick described Doncic’s recent willingness to draw charges on defence as “a form of leadership, right? You’re putting your body on the line.”

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“I think this is the most insufferable he’s ever been,” Simmons said of Doncic’s on-court behaviour, pointing at the constant complaints to officials.

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