LeBron James is still exactly what the Lakers need

Now that the Los Angeles Lakers' season has officially ended, it's time for the perennial debate among Lakers fans. Is the franchise better with or without LeBron James going forward?

Now, there's no denying that James is one of the greatest of all time. He adds real value to the Lakers. Just look at his showing in the 2025-26 postseason. During the playoffs, James appeared in 10 games and averaged 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, according to ESPN, and he also shot 45.9% from the field. He truly rose to the occasion with Luka Doncic sidelined and showed that his age, at 41, is truly just a number.

But, James contributes to a cap space issue with the team. The front office having to dish out a $50 million annual contract to James makes it difficult to fill out the rest of the team's roster, add depth and re-sign important players.

Reasons Lakers fans should want LeBron James back

But, there are reasons that both James and the Lakers' fanbase should want him back with the team. First, let's talk money. If James does return to the Lakers, he may have to compromise, and that's good news for Los Angeles. Looking at other teams that could be interested in James, franchises such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets are only able to offer a veteran minimum of $3.9 million next season, as NBC Sports points out. That's far below the $50 million James has seemed to want. So, he may have to compromise and be willing to take $30 million or less from Los Angeles.

If James does come back on a lower salary, it's the best of both worlds, where the Lakers get a veteran who's simply on fire and also have enough bag to do what needs to be done with the rest of their roster. So, if James compromises, that's one reason fans should cheer if he returns.

Perhaps the most important reason fans should want James back is because of the consistency and stability that he brings this current roster. His veteran presence proved a goldmine during the Lakers' playoff run, and if Doncic hadn't been injured, it's fair to say the Lakers could have advanced. During the postseason, James was really the team's leader and proved he can be almost a second coach on the court. Having one of the highest IQ basketball players in the history of the sport in Los Angeles is something Lakers fans should welcome for at least one more run.