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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 stars to pair with Anthony Davis post-LeBron James

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #3 look on during the first half against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #3 look on during the first half against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers will eventually need to find Anthony Davis a new running mate.

The Los Angeles Lakers would not have won the NBA Championship without LeBron James. Without LeBron, Klutch Sports client Anthony Davis would not have essentially forced his way to LA and instead, the Lakers would be a promising young team with a talented, but not title-worthy, core.

LeBron very well may have started something that is going to last long after him as the Lakers, one day, will hopefully build around Anthony Davis as the main star attraction in LA.

That seems to be the plan, at least according to Rob Pelinka. Pelinka expressed this ideal plan on ESPN’s “The Woj Pod” (h/t Silver Screen & Roll).

"“But also, with the future, again, if you study our cap (space) we have the flexibility to say, ‘Can we add another really, really talented young player to run it out with AD if he chooses to stay as a free agent for five, six, seven, eight years?”"

Pelinka is looking very far into the future as far as this quote is concerned, but in reality, we might not be looking that far ahead. LeBron has a player option after the 2020-21 season and then will be an unrestricted free agent (if he accepts it) after the 2021-22 season.

While LeBron might stick around, he probably won’t be worth $40+ million and for the sake of winning championships, will probably be okay with a pay cut in the late stages of his career to still contend as a third star.

Or, he could leave and simply sign with whatever team drafts his son. Bronny is entering his sophomore year of high school, and if the college basketball rules remain in effect that long, he won’t be in the league until the 2024-2025 season.

LeBron has flirted with the idea of staying in the league long enough to play with/against Bronny.

Regardless, the Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to start preparing for life without LeBron James, which means a second star with Anthony Davis. Here are four potential options.

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