Eight years! Eight years! The Lakers have snubbed LeBron James! And he's the biggest name on the free-agent market.

It's over, completely over.

Breaking news from Shams:So far, the Lakers have not offered James any extension...

Yes, it seems the Lakers are ready to start a new era, one led solely by the Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves duo.

From 2018 to 2026, James played eight seasons for the Lakers, winning the championship in the 2019-20 season. Unfortunately, at 41, he is destined not to be the future of the Purple and Gold, even though he still maintains All-Star level play. Last regular season, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game; this postseason, he averaged 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.3 steals.

Regarding James' next team, the situation remains murky. Odds show his former team, the Cavaliers, at the top, with the Warriors and Spurs close behind.

It's worth noting that according to reports, James is currently in his hometown of Akron, which is about 40 kilometers from Cleveland.

During his previous stint with the Cavaliers, James lived in a mansion in Bath Township in the Akron area, and he still keeps it to this day.

Recently, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was asked in an interview if we could see James on the Cavaliers next season. He did not deny it, responding, 'Maybe.'

Last season, the Cavaliers acquired Harden midseason and finished the regular season with a 52-30 record. In the playoffs, they first eliminated the Raptors in a Game 7 in the first round, then battled the Eastern Conference regular-season champion Pistons in a seven-game series in the second round to advance. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they were swept by the new NBA champions, the Knicks.

To be fair, if the Cavaliers were to bring back James to bolster their weak wing, forming a starting five of Harden, Mitchell, Allen, Mobley, and James, they might have the ability to compete with teams like the Knicks. Then, breaking out of the East and even winning the championship would not be a fantasy.

Since he cannot spend his entire career with one team, it would still be a beautiful thing to have a beginning and an end to his NBA journey. Returning to where it all started has always been the ultimate dream for many veteran players.