The Los Angeles Lakers are going through a transitional period, all while trying to build a team capable of winning another championship.
Last season began with questions about how much longer LeBron James could carry the team, but it ended with a new sense of optimism around the future.
With Luka Doncic joining King James, the Lakers’ window for success was suddenly extended beyond the immediate future. They now have more time to build around their two stars, rather than feeling pressure to win right away.
Next season will be the first full year of Luka Doncic and LeBron James playing together. After that though, only one of those two players is committed long-term.
Questions surround LeBron James’ next move
Luka Doncic agreed a significant contract extension earlier this month, but LeBron James was notably absent from the event.
According to NBA analyst Rachel Nichols, LeBron’s absence wasn’t about any issues with Doncic. Instead, she suggested his frustration is directed at the Lakers organisation.
“I think it has more to do with his frustration with the Lakers. He believes he’s played at a level where he deserves an extension. He shouldn’t be an expiring contract,” she said.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Nichols stated that LeBron James’s continued high-level performance in the 2024-25 NBA season makes him deserving of a contract extension.
She added that while signing him to an extension might seem risky given his age, the real challenge for LA could be how it impacts their ability to pursue another big name to pair with Doncic down the line.
Lakers keeping options open for Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo
Two of the league’s biggest names, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, could become free agents in 2027. The Lakers, like many teams, want to make sure they are in a position to make a move if either one becomes available.
With Doncic now committed long-term, LA has become an attractive landing spot for any top player thinking about a change.
Nichols pointed out: “Two things can be true. He has played at that level. However, also he would be 42 years old if the Lakers signed him to an extension, they don’t know what kind of shape, and I don’t mean physical shape, I mean basketball shape he’s going to be in at that point.”
She added: “And the truth is, as we just discussed, if one of these other big players comes available, and by the way, someone always does, we didn’t expect Luca Doncic to be available… they don’t want to be tied up with 42-year-old LeBron when they could get, say, a Giannis or Jokic or someone else.
“LeBron probably does deserve an extension, and it’s true that the Lakers kind of can’t afford to give him one if they want to keep their cap open enough to sign a younger co-star for Luka going forward into the next five years, and it’s created a really uncomfortable situation.”
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