Before the season even started, it felt like the beginning of the end for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. That feeling grew stronger throughout the first few months, but in March, a shift made the idea of the 41-year-old staying suddenly feel likely (subscription required), as Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic detailed in their latest piece.
"The Lakers’ ability to level up in March, when faith was restored on both sides in regards to this complicated partnership, could have a significant impact on James’ future."
Woike and Amick added that LA is still open to LeBron returning next season, but more importantly, he's open to that idea. He was "encouraged and intrigued" by what he saw from himself and his team during that stretch.
Lakers could get LeBron back for another season
To be clear, Woike and Amick reported that James is still unsure whether this will be his final season in the NBA. He could retire at the end of this year. If you're thinking that there's no way he will go out without a farewell tour, sources indicated that is "false."
We can't just assume that LeBron will be back for another season, and that it will be with the Lakers, but the fact that the latter has become an increasing possibility is a positive sign.
Los Angeles no longer needs LeBron to be its No. 1 option, or its second. Part of the reason for the team's turnaround was that James embraced being the No. 3 option, saying he'd work around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves (and not the other way around). He was putting his body on the line and diving after loose balls like he wasn't the oldest player on the floor.
Lakers can win another title with LeBron
Dončić sits atop the Lakers' hierarchy, followed by Reaves, but that doesn't diminish LeBron's importance. Having him around for another year, after seeing what LA looked like in March with its top three stars healthy, makes the idea of Los Angeles winning another title with James seem more than just a far-fetched dream.
It would sting for LeBron to up and leave to finish his legendary career elsewhere, which is still a possibility, but seeing what the Lakers can do with their trio gives him another reason to stay, if he chooses to enter his 24th season.
Do you know what can convince him to do that? Winning. He doesn't need another championship to prove anything, but as the ultimate competitor, that's what he is still chasing.
Los Angeles has tried (and failed) to get him there since the team won it all in 2020, but suddenly, in March, the Lakers were in the best shot to do so. Unfortunately, the injuries changed that, but Dončić and Reaves are working to return sometime in the playoffs. If that doesn't happen, that won't dim the optimism for what this team, including LeBron, can accomplish in the short term.
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