THIS WILL BE LEBRON'S LAST YEAR AS LAKER!SACRIFICE NEXT SEASON TO CREATE CAP SPACE TO SIGN MAX FREE AGENT TO REPLACE LEBRON!That's the bad news. The good news is with LeBron opting into his player option and DFS opting out of his player option, the Lakers are within reach of… https://t.co/WY8F55Pfx1 pic.twitter.com/qbbS6oeV3t— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 29, 2025
lol, so much hyperbole…
There are a lot of good free agents available next year but the only one that’s not restricted that I would give a max deal to is JJJ but you could surround Luka with some pretty good player.
With new ownership, it appears the timing is right for this to be LeBron’s last season as a Laker. Hope it’s his last in the NBA too. Time to move on. It’s finally here.
Kick him out the door just like we did with Kobe? LBJ was really good last season, not sure he will retire if he still can play?
Tom, the article title is quite attention grabbing. I feel the Lakers, as stated in articles and comments from both sides of management (Lakers and Klutch) have it in mind. About a farewell tour/season…if he does it as say a Cleveland Cavalier, it would be full circle. The possibility of Lebron leaving after this season, to me, it adds to the importance of Austin Reaves as a playmaker, team leader. Without Lebron, then the Lakers, as of current roster, would only have 2? semi-weak, or just average defenders….if they have Luka and Reaves into the 26/27 season.
Hey, Howard, I do agree that Reaves staying becomes more likely with LeBron leaving. Lot of the redundancy is eliminated. Two non-plus defenders in the backcourt is a problem. Need a great shot blocker to give it any chance to suceed.
i think up the defensive play with the current players….get another assistant to focus on defense, and have the power to make the player listen. I’m thinking a veteran former head coach amongst those available.
I’m not giving up on the Laker player’s individual or team defense….bring in a great assistant coach that can up the defensive ratings on all players, organize defensive schemes (funny, but am i not that far off in thinking defense is less of an issue during the season than the playoffs). As for a great shot blocker, or intimidator…I think that’s more Capela than Brook Lopez, but I still wish to see the Lakers somehow convince Lopez and Myles Plumlee to come back to Los Angeles at veteran minimum, or whatever works, and Jaxson Hayes as the 2nd or 3rd center (it’s been said he wishes to move on for more opportunity, and his usage in the playoffs was pretty insulting…he wasn’t squaring off against Jokic. Some of those rookes, drafted and undrafted signed players look like they are the sturdy type, and they need to focus on the defense and physical play (which never works out smoothly for a rookie)….