Nick Wright made a sharp point recently on the What's Wright Show : “It’s almost as if the [Los Angeles] Lakers are frustrated that LeBron [James] hasn’t fallen off.” That statement might be the most accurate way to describe what is going on in Los Angeles.
“It’s almost as if the Lakers are frustrated that LeBron hasn’t fallen off… Me, personally, I’d love having two top ten guys on my team. It doesn’t seem like the Lakers necessarily feel the same way.”@getnickwright can’t believe the Lakers treatment of LeBron this offseason pic.twitter.com/6ahuygrdEf
— What’s Wright? with Nick Wright (@WhatsWrightShow) July 16, 2025
Instead of being thrilled that James is still performing at an elite level in Year 22, the Lakers front office seems impatient and eager to move on, as if his greatness is in the way of some future plan.
That plan, reportedly, revolves around Luka Doncic. The Lakers are focused on 2027, clearing cap space and building toward a dream scenario where Doncic is still wearing purple and gold, and paired with a superstar.
Here is the thing, they are acting like they do not already have a superstar in the building. That is where this whole strategy starts to lose touch with reality.
LeBron James is the co-star the Lakers need beside Luka Doncic
Let’s get one thing straight: James is not holding the team back. In fact, he has been holding it up. Last season, LeBron was sixth in MVP voting. He was All-NBA Second Team.
He averaged 25-8-7, led the league in clutch scoring for most of the year, and still gave them a shot in every playoff game. Those are all things you can win with.
Yet, the Lakers’ offseason has felt more like a team winding down than gearing up. They have made minimal moves. They have floated vague long-term plans. They are acting like the window has closed, when it is still wide open, as long as LeBron is in uniform.
Seriously though, who exactly are they waiting for? The 2026 free agent class does not guarantee anything. Kevin Durant, Trae Young, and De’Aaron Fox could all be available, but none of those guys are playing at a higher level than LeBron is right now.
In 2027, maybe Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic hit the market, but that is far from certain. Betting on future stars that may never arrive, while sidelining a legend who is still absolutely producing, is not a plan. That is just wishful thinking.
The Lakers' obsession with Luka is understandable. He is a generational talent. But if the Lakers truly want to be a championship franchise, not just a marketing machine, they need to stop pretending LeBron is an expiration date and start treating him like the opportunity he still is.
One day in the near future, LeBron will no longer be on this team. When that day happens, they will realize the problem was taking him for granted.