LeBron James reportedly had trouble adjusting to lesser Lakers role

LeBron James understood that Luka Doncic had become the Lakers’ No. 1 option. Apparently, accepting a similar level of deference to Austin Reaves wasn’t quite as easy.

Law Murray of The Athletic offered an interesting glimpse into James’ final season in Los Angeles during a Reddit AMA, saying the four-time MVP experienced some internal conflict as his role changed.

“Covering LeBron James last season, he had an internal conflict going on with how much he had to defer to Austin Reaves,” Murray wrote. “Even Bron understood that Luka was the top dawg in any circumstance.”

That doesn’t mean James and Reaves didn’t get along. By all indications, they did, and Reaves has spoken warmly about James since his departure for the 76ers.

But there apparently was an adjustment for James when it came to the basketball hierarchy. That’s probably understandable.

James had spent basically two decades as the player everyone else deferred to. Last season, his usage rate dipped to a career-low 26.2 percent as Doncic became the centerpiece and Reaves assumed a larger offensive role.

Murray added that James seemed to enjoy getting another opportunity to become the primary option when injuries sidelined Doncic and Reaves late in the regular season and into the playoffs.

James eventually helped the Lakers beat the Rockets in six games before they were swept by Oklahoma City in the second round.

Then came Philadelphia. James signed with the 76ers this summer, ending his Lakers run and joining another roster filled with established stars.

So this wasn’t necessarily LeBron vs. Reaves. It may have been something considerably simpler.

For one of the greatest players ever, becoming someone else’s supporting cast took some getting used to.