LeBron James to Luka Doncic - Inside the most delicate superstar transition in NBA history for Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN

THERE ARE TWO entrances to Craig's restaurant on Melrose Avenue in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Those who don't mind being seen by the gaggle of paparazzi that mill about outside the notorious celebrity hangout enter through the front door. Those who don't want to be seen enter through the private entrance at the back.

Once a celebrity is safely inside, the tinted windows and dim lighting offer the kind of privacy where real business can be discussed over very expensive, very good bottles of wine and elevated comfort food like pigs in a blanket or honey truffle chicken.

On May 3, four days after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Craig's reserved a booth for four VIPs: the Lakers' new superstar point guard, Luka Doncic; his longtime manager, Lara Beth Seager; Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka; and coach JJ Redick.

LeBron James, the centerpiece of every Lakers decision and strategy for the previous seven-plus years, was not in attendance.

Redick, Pelinka and Seager entered through the front entrance, Doncic through the back.

But all four exited through the front door, where a crowd of paparazzi and fans spotted them and took videos that were immediately uploaded to TMZ and social media. Doncic even stopped to sign a few autographs before leaving.

The purpose of the meeting was as clear as their choice of door: Doncic is the face of the franchise now, and the Lakers wanted him — and everyone else — to know it.

Over a bottle of Opus One, Pelinka and Redick explained not only their strategy in building the team around Doncic's skill set, sources told ESPN, but also the complexities of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement and how