Los Angeles Lakers: Three reasons why Lakers should not pursue LeBron James

The Warriors are still intact

Let’s say the Lakers sign James. They would instantly become winners. LeBron can join a lottery franchise and turn them into contenders overnight. But with the level of competition in the West being far greater than the East, a trip to the Finals wouldn’t be automatic.

Not to mention the fact that the Warriors are still intact and in control of the entire league. As long as their core is together and they keep a strong supporting cast, they won’t be knocked off their throne.

With that being said, if the Lakers were to sign James in order to win now their efforts might be wasted. Golden State will be at the height of their powers for at least two to three more years.

Signing James as the Warriors are currently constructed would only make sense if he was going to play in L.A. for the next four to five years. In that scenario, as Golden State lost power over time, the Lakers could make their move.

But LeBron will never sign another long-term contract and the chances that he would end his career in L.A. doesn’t seem likely.

So as long as the Warriors are winning, going all in on LeBron in hopes of winning a title would be a bad move by the Lakers. It would only serve to make the team relevant again, which they already are because of Lonzo Ball.

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L.A. is better off signing other max free agents that compliment their style of play and help them improve overall. If the Lakers show patience and build slowly, they could find themselves in the same situation Golden State did three years ago—better and ready to break through.