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How the Pelicans will control LeBron James’ future with the Lakers

Jason Reed|
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 04, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 04, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

For the first time in his long NBA career, LeBron James hinted as possible retirement after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Naturally, it took the NBA world by storm that the all-time leading scorer was thinking about retiring despite still playing at an elite level.

In reality, this appeared to be a leverage play for LeBron. Not only would it convince the Lakers to make more aggressive moves if LeBron is going to retire but it also took some of the spotlight off of the Lakers’ loss to Denver. LeBron is very calculated in what he says to the media and this was no exception.

To the surprise of very few, LeBron announced during the 2023 ESPYs that he would be returning for his 21st season. Lakers fans are going to get to watch LeBron in LA for at least one more season with his future after that being determined by another NBA team.

The Pelicans control LeBron James’ fate wtih the Lakers.

We know that LeBron James will have at least one more season with the Lakers. His future after that is unclear. The 2024 offseason is going to be an incredibly interesting one as Bronny James will be eligible to be drafted. And as we all know, LeBron has not been shy about sharing his goal of playing with Bronny.

Where Bronny is going to fall in the draft is hard to pinpoint. The draft is considered one of the worst in recent memory but Bronny is not a bonafide top-10 prospect. It seems like the best-case scenario for Bronny is going late in the lottery to a team that wants LeBron, while he could end up going in the late first or second round.

New Orleans will control whether or not the Lakers will even have the opportunity to get Bronny. The Pelicans received an unprotected first-round pick in 2024 as part of the Anthony Davis trade. However, the Pelicans have the ability to forego the pick if it is not favorable and get the team’s unprotected pick in 2025.

If the Lakers are picking in the 20s in a bad draft the Pelicans could just roll the pick over and hope it is worse the following year. However, if they wanted to be petty, they could still take the pick and leave the Lakers with no hope of drafting Bronny to keep LeBron.

LeBron would lilkey opt out of his contract and go sign an MLE deal with the team that drafted his son. Whether or not LeBron stays in LA past the 2023-24 season all depends on what New Orleans wants to do.