For months, publicly and privately, the Lakers have been signaling their desire to begin the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, even if it meant ending the LeBron James one.

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that James Jones, a three-time NBA champion as a player and an NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award recipient, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. He will report to Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

Former Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones is now the NBA’s new executive vice president, head of basketball operations, the league announced on July 9. Jones will replace Joe Dumars, who is now vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’ll report to Byron Spruell, president of league operations.

James Jones is joining the NBA front office as executive vice president and head of basketball operations, replacing Joe Dumars in that role

In a new ESPN story by Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelbourne, James' actions were referred to by one league executive as an "elaborate pout." And that ESPN story reveals that Jame