The last two years have proved the Los Angeles Lakers cannot match up against the Denver Nuggets. L.A. was also inconsistent throughout the year, with some injury-related (mostly role players) setbacks, some roster make-up problems, coaching mistakes and general misfortune.
LeBron James raises the team’s ceiling to a championship level—provided L.A. never plays Denver, which it is facing a 3-0 deficit against in their first-round playoff series. But the Lakers could become a much better defensive team without James (and D’Angelo Russell). The all-time great can often slow the team’s offensive attack as well.
It’s challenging to envision enough offensive support around Anthony Davis without James, but it’s certainly possible. Would a single free-agent addition and a healthy roster compete in the Western Conference? Probably not in the top tier, but the current Lakers aren’t exactly dominating.
After the Nuggets’ 2023 sweep of the Lakers in the conference finals, James openly contemplated retirement before deciding to continue for another year.
Now, on the verge of another series defeat, what’s next for the franchise if James decides to move on through retirement or free agency?
LeBron’s $50-Plus Million Gone = Cap Room
James is technically under contract for 2024-25 at $51.4 million, but he can opt out before July. James can also opt out to re-sign, but the Lakers would face a very different path forward without him, both on the books and the floor.
Getting out of his salary would undoubtedly shift the team’s direction, though how far may depend on Russell and his $18.7 million player option. Without anyone opting in (including Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish), L.A. would have about $32 million in space under a projected $141 million salary cap.
That’s also assuming the New Orleans Pelicans take the Lakers’ 2025 first-round pick instead of No. 17 in June (the current expectation in NBA circles).
That’s a roster with Davis, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis and the team’s two picks (with No. 55 from the L.A. Clippers).
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