Los Angeles Lakers Are Operating Like LeBron James Will Return Next Season

Even as LeBron James continues to mull his future in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers are very confident that he will return. With just a few months to go before free agency, the Lakers are operating under the assumption that the King will be in the Purple and Gold next season.

“The Lakers are operating as if LeBron will be back,” Buha said. “That is how they are approaching their coaching search. That is how they are approaching their offseason plans in terms of how to build a roster and what to do around the draft and with the picks and whatnot.”

Even at 39 years old, LeBron still controls the tide of the entire NBA, and his free agency this summer has given the Lakers a lot to think about. If he retires or tries to play with his son, Bronny, it could set the Lakers back years from their goal of returning to contender status.

Outwardly, LeBron was showing no obvious signs that he wanted to leave the Lakers but his refusal to make any long-term commitment left room for doubt about his loyalty. Besides clashing with former head coach Darvin Ham, his request for trades and moves throughout the season were repeatedly ignored and it resulted in a first-round defeat at the hands of the Nuggets.

With both James and the Lakers desperate for another title, many critics believed that the pair were better off apart. But after establishing his roots in Los Angeles and using the franchise to help expand his legacy, it's going to take a lot for LeBron to leave and the Lakers are obviously feeling pretty good about their chances to get him to stick around this summer.

Los Angeles Lakers Are In Win-Now Mode

With a limited number of options available for LeBron, re-joining the Lakers is arguably the best choice to close out his career and he may even be able to compete for a championship if the Lakers play their cards right.

With multiple players off the books for next season, the Lakers can get to work re-making the roster and it seems they are intent on keeping the team centered around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. After their title run in 2020, they proved that they could win at the highest level together and Rob Pelinka is hoping to re-capture that magic at least one last time.

At almost 40 years old, LeBron is on his last legs as a player and it remains to be seen how much elite-level play he has left. The same can be said for Anthony Davis, whose extensive injury history looms like a constant threat over his career.

For the Lakers to maximize what's left of their stars, they plan to add another star to the mix, either print the form of Trae Young, Kyrie Irving, or Donovan Mitchell. With that acquisition and a new coach to lead them, the Lakers are hoping it will be enough to give them a fighting chance in the West.

If not, things could get ugly fast, just like what happened with Darvin Ham when he failed to generate any traction. At this stage of his career, LeBron wants results right away and the Lakers cannot afford to be patient if they want to give him the ending he deserves.