The Los Angeles Lakers have historically been a model organization, rarely faltering for too long, and rarely being stuck in the depths of the NBA basement. Before LeBron James showed up, they were entrenched in their longest playoff drought throughout franchise history.
The Lakers missed the postseason for five consecutive seasons from 2013-14 through 2017-18. That may not seem like much for other, less successful, franchises, but it was for Los Angeles. Despite the shortcomings, James still took his talents to Hollywood in 2018.
LeBron's first year in Los Angeles was far from perfect. The Lakers extended the playoff drought with one additional campaign after a season of injuries, poor coaching, and other detrimental factors. Immediately after that, the organization was back atop the NBA in 2020.
The turnaround was quick. The Lakers have been a playoff team with James in the mix for all but two seasons — both of which are hardly his fault in their letdowns. Despite that, ESPN's Baxter Holmes delivered an inside look at the franchise that painted Jeanie Buss as nothing but ungrateful.
Lakers' darkest stretch didn't end until LeBron James showed up
Holmes wrote, "[Jeanie] didn't like that James was considered a savior for a floundering franchise when he arrived in 2018 and that it was he who chose the Lakers rather than the team's leadership receiving praise for landing him."
Fight the public perception all you want, but it is difficult to ignore the upward trajectory upon James' arrival. There was plenty more to add to Buss' discontent, according to the report.
The Russell Westbrook trade was cited as a big turning point of the James era in Los Angeles that created tension. There was so much discontent that Holmes wrote Buss 'privately mused' about foregoing a contract extension for LeBron or perhaps even trading him.
Moreover, it was actually James who was accused of being ungrateful after the Lakers' selection of Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. All that leaves a lot to unpack here.
It's hard to ignore that — despite whatever framing of the situation is taken — there is a clear turning point in the Jeanie era of ownership from LeBron's arrival. The years haven't always been perfect, but they were much better than what the Lakers dealt with beforehand.
The ripple effects of James joining Los Angeles even led to Luka Doncic — eventually. Would Anthony Davis request a trade away from the New Orleans Pelicans and land with the Lakers if LeBron isn't there?
The former Lakers big man was a huge part of the Doncic deal. Without him, and without James' presence guiding Davis to Los Angeles, the Lakers would not have the future that is in front of them today.
Perhaps the sale to Mark Walter really is for the best. The Los Angeles Dodgers owner should provide a breath of fresh air for the Lakers. Los Angeles needs stability. An article from Holmes titled How Buss family infighting drove the $10B sale of the Lakers does not suggest that is something they have enjoyed in recent years.
Whether James sticks around past this season in Los Angeles is still unclear. What should be much more transparent is the Lakers were better off for all the campaigns spent by the future Hall of Famer with the franchise.