The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James find themselves in a rather uncomfortable situation. It might be the first time in LeBron’s career that he cannot flex his muscles over an organization and demand more respect. For many years, LeBron has managed to keep pressure on organizations to win by signing 1+1 contracts. This time, the threat of him leaving is not as big, some might even say, it is desirable by the Lakers. There might be rumors about a trade or a buyout, but that won’t help Los Angeles.
For Better or Worse, 3 Reasons the Lakers Are Stuck With LeBron
While it is normal for organizations to pivot toward a younger superstar, that transition didn’t come naturally in Los Angeles. For the past several years, the thought was that Anthony Davis would be the one to carry on the torch from LeBron. Then, the shocking Luka Doncic trade happened and everything changed. But while the Lakers would love to pivot around Luka and build around him for the next decade, it seems they might be stuck with LeBron in the next year or two. Here are three reasons why the Lakers cannot trade LeBron James or buy him out.
The 2026 Free Agent Class is Looking Slimmer by the Day
For the last two years, teams were preparing for the 2026 free agent class. They kept their books clean, hoping to land a difference maker. Well, that awesome 2026 class is looking slimmer by the day. For one, the Lakers can make their 2026 free agency move right now and extend Doncic. He was arguably the best possible player that could have hit free agency in 2026. Many teams believed he and the Dallas Mavericks might not end up on the same page, and he will opt out of his deal in 2026 to become a free agent prior to the trade.
While the Lakers can have a substantial amount of cap space if LeBron leaves next summer, what are their options? Two of the best potential options, Trae Young and De’Aaron Fox will not fit alongside Luka. Jalen Jackson Jr. signed an extension with Memphis, taking him out of free agency. The two suitable players are Mikal Bridges and Norman Powell. But the former might sign a new contract with the New York Knicks, and the latter will turn 33 at the end of next season.
Players No Longer Enter Free Agency
You can’t count many significant players who have changed teams via free agency. Paul George joined the Philadelphia 76ers last offseason. Jalen Brunson joined the New York Knicks during the 2022 offseason. Kawhi Leonard joined the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2019. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving teamed up in Brooklyn in the summer of 2019.
More big-name players have been traded in recent years. Ben Simmons did it with the Sixers. James Harden did it with the Houston Rockets. Even PG signed a huge deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Clippers. The Lakers will have plenty of cap space, but as we have seen in recent years, it rarely materializes into anything significant.
LeBron is Still a Top 15 – 20 Player in the League
Even though he has crossed the 40-year-old mark, LeBron James is still playing at an amazing level. He was an All-Star and made the All-NBA second team last season. Who can the Lakers trade for and replace LeBron James for the next two seasons?
The better move for the organization would be to try to smooth the relationship with James and convince him to stay for the 2026-27 season on a smaller contract. Luka will need someone to help him win, and right now, the Lakers cannot get someone better than LeBron.
The 2027 free agency class might be the one to watch for several teams. That is the summer that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic can become free agents. It might be a risky move, but both have won a title with their teams. They might feel it is time to switch teams. Giannis and Luka or Jokic and Luka would be a devastating combination.
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