When the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, the attention swiftly moved over to the future of LeBron James after his comments about retirement.
After losing in the 2024 NBA playoffs to the same team in an acutely similar fashion, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again faced with questions regarding the future of James.
While James has not raised the specter of calling his retirement this time around, he is however facing a decision in choosing his next suitor for the 2024-2025 season. A large part of James’ decision has to do with the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers and whether or not they have the leverage to bring in more talent.
The Los Angeles Lakers are headed into year 7 with LeBron James, who will be 40 years old next season, as the focal point of their team. But the question is: is it still worth giving a 40-year-old James what he wants?
Where Do The Los Angeles Lakers Look Next?
It hasn’t even been a week since the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs. Yet, LeBron James has already publicly addressed the rumors about his future multiple times. When asked whether or not this was his last game with the Lakers following the loss to the Denver Nuggets, James replied by saying, “I’m not going to answer that yet.”
Then more recently, James took to Twitter/X to respond to rampant reports swirling around the internet speculating his next move. James wrote:
I’ve seen, heard a lot of reports about my future. I said it last night and I’ll say it again. I do not know yet as I’m only thinking about spending time with my family & friends! When I know after speaking with the fam, my counsel as well as my representation about it then you guys will know.
James’ Pressure on The Los Angeles Lakers Mounts
LeBron James is undoubtedly in the discussion of the greatest basketball player of all time. Along with the highlights, dunks, and all the NBA Finals trips has been one recurring theme in his career: James’ role in dictating his team’s roster.
Whether it was bringing Chris Bosh along with him to Miami, Kevin Love to Cleveland, demanding the front office to trade for Russell Westbrook, or his passive-aggressive Tweets at the NBA Trade Deadline — James has willingly been at the forefront of almost every transaction his teams have made.
Apart of this is his organic right as the best player on his team. But another part of the equation has to do with the crushing pressure and scrutiny that is brought upon the folks running the team, and this year is no different. While you can certainly argue that James doesn’t carry the same power and merit as he did in his younger years, the Los Angeles Lakers earn many perks with LeBron still being in Hollywood as the face of the NBA.
Strictly from a basketball perspective, James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers would do the franchise a lot more harm than it would for himself.
Los Angeles Lakers: Free Agency Splash in 2024?
The Lakers’ offseason wishlist is already running long 😂
⭐️ JJ Redick
⭐️ Steph Curry
⭐️ Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/VcEidKPSJs— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 1, 2024
After finishing seventh place in the Western Conference for a second year in a row, the Lakers are pressed to make significant changes yet again.
Despite the elite play from both James and Anthony Davis throughout the season, the Lakers were a middling-at-best group with many highs and lows.
Among the names linked to the Lakers is Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell to bring in a second scoring option alongside Davis as James continues to climb the age ladder.
And even though it may be purely pie in the sky, some rumors have even linked Phoenix’s Kevin Durant with the Lakers, who they would need to acquire via trade if they wish to create the NBA’s latest iteration of a big-3.
The bottom line is, we can fully expect the Lakers to look different when the season kicks off in October. Whether LeBron James is in the purple and gold next season remains to be seen. But if the Lakers fail to make substantial additions, the chances of James departing naturally increase.
About The Author
Adel, 23, is a lead writer for the NBA on Total Apex Sports. He is a passionate NBA fan with a deep background in writing across the media, sports debate, and screenwriting for YouTube and TikTok.
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