LeBron James may end up retiring this summer, but if the Los Angeles Lakers want to effectively plan around Luka Doncic and map out their future, they need him off the team regardless. Whether that means James finds a new home in the NBA or retires from the league altogether, it’s more important for the Lakers to spend the money they would owe him in free agency than to bring him back in general.
Doncic is still only 27 years old, and the Lakers have the next seven to eight years to worry about. Obviously, if James returns to LA for another year or two, they could still make it work, but should he leave this summer, the Lakers would have some serious money to work with in free agency (and on the trade market).
Thus, James leaving LA would give the Lakers a lot more flexibility to build around Doncic and plan for the future.
LeBron James leaving would give Lakers more financial flexiblity to build around Luka Doncic
James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves form one of the better Big 3s in the NBA. They’re a very talented bunch, and Reaves is going to earn a big-time contract this summer.
And there is a world in which James returns to LA this summer, too. He could run it back with the Lakers for another year or two, and they would likely have to pay him a pretty penny.
But if he does return, the Lakers won’t have nearly as much flexibility this summer, and with Doncic entering his prime, they should want to have as much flexibility as possible.
For example, should James choose to leave, the Lakers could potentially have enough money to bring Isaiah Hartenstein on board, whether that be via a trade or free agency (if the Oklahoma City Thunder decline his team option).
They could also look to target New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who will be entering free agency this summer. Either big man would be great for New York.
Or maybe the Lakers wanted to target a veteran like Tobias Harris, who has been great for the Detroit Pistons in the postseason. Or what about Harrison Barnes? Or Robert Williams III? Or Coby White?
No matter the direction the Lakers choose to go in, they will have more wiggle room to work with (from a financial perspective) if James leaves LA this summer.
And though it may be weird seeing James either retired or in a new uniform next year, it will ultimately be better off for Doncic’s tenure in LA.
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