LeBron James to Continue Monitoring the Lakers’ Offseason Moves: Insider

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 12:08 AM ET

Despite his impending retirement, LeBron James, the star of the Los Angeles Lakers, is still determined to win an NBA title. NBA insider Dave McMenamin revealed that James will continue to monitor the team's offseason moves that could affect his future.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers wants to end his career on a high note by winning his fifth NBA championship. Since winning the title in 2020, James has been determined to add to his hardware by winning a title. However, the rosters that the Lakers have constructed since then haven't helped him in his quest.

This time, James gets to share the floor with a generational talent in Luka Doncic. The Slovenian star is believed to be the future face of the franchise. The Lakers are expected to build a competitive roster around Doncic soon.

However, there have been reports that LA is targeting the 2027 free agency to make major moves to support Doncic.

The Lakers' Moves This Summer Could Affect James' Quest For a Fifth Championship

James is still hoping to win his fifth title. However, he has a limited time left in the league and could soon retire. There's no knowing if he'll be around by 2027 to be part of a potential stacked Lakers team.

Additionally, he didn't get a contract extension this summer, which hints that a potential retirement is near.

"The greater question is where does LeBron stand with the Lakers. I'm told that the statement that Rich Paul gave to Shams Charania back in June when LeBron opted in still stands, that LeBron and his representatives will be monitoring the Lakers' moves that they make because they recognize that there's only a very limited amount of time left in his career and he wants to be competing for championships. Whatever time that is," McMenamin said.

Who did the Lakers add in the offseason?

The Lakers were quite active in the NBA offseason. The first player they acquired was Jake LaRavia, who signed a two-year contract. The next player they signed was Deandre Ayton, who agreed to a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton was part of the 2018 draft class and is now under a two-year, $16.2 million deal.

The latest addition to the team was veteran guard Marcus Smart. Like Ayton, his contract was bought out, and he signed a two-year contract worth $11 million with the Lakers.

Aside from the additions they made, the Lakers lost a few productive players. Jordan Goodwin, Trey Jamison III, Shake Milton and Dorian Finney-Smith all departed from the team.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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