Lakers may already be preparing for life after LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the offseason following getting swept out of the second round of the NBA playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and now, all eyes are on LeBron James and what he's going to do next.

James will soon be an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018, and he hasn't publicly announced whether he's staying in the NBA for another season or retiring. He also hasn't hinted at whether he'll be back with the Lakers if he does return to the NBA next season.

The Lakers don't have the luxury of waiting around to see what James is going to do before they start to picture what their life will be like going forward. So, it's no surprise that the team may already have a backup plan in place if he exits, especially since losing him would hurt.

NBA insider says Lakers have a LeBron James solution in mind

The Lakers are already thinking about their options if James decides to bolt, according to NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson. In a report from Robinson, he states that one name keeps popping up inside the Lakers' camp, and it's Kyrie Irving.

"Coincidentally, if James decides to exit, the Lakers, I'm told have quietly weighed the pros and cons of an incredibly volatile fallback option: a Southern California re-pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving," Robinson states in his report.

He adds: "When analyzing a potential contingency plan for the Los Angeles Lakers in the event of LeBron James' departure, the front office faces a complex matrix of advantages and heavy hesitations. On the positive side of the ledger, executing a blockbuster move to pair Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Southern California offers an undeniable competitive floor."

With Irving, the Lakers would be looking to rekindle the magic between Doncic and Irving when the two played together in Dallas. Both players went to the NBA Finals in 2024 with the Mavericks. The idea of reuniting Doncic and Irving certainly makes sense, and it's a viable option if James exits.

It's worth noting that Irving tore his ACL in March 2025 and didn't play during the 2025-26 season. He's expected to return for the 2026-27 run. That makes this idea a bit messier, but for the Lakers, it could be just what they need if James leaves.