LeBron James has always been tuned into the chatter around him, and he's not shy about addressing it. Recently, he tackled the narrative that the Lakers might be better without him.
After a victory over the Miami Heat, LeBron told reporters, “It sells papers a lot easier…if you say, ‘LeBron, the team is better off without him.’ They’re absolutely wrong.”
This idea gained traction earlier in the season due to some concerning on/off splits. As noted by Sam Amick of The Athletic, lineups featuring LeBron, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves had a minus-4.9 net rating in 238 minutes through late February.
Fast forward, and that trio has turned things around with a stunning plus-21.1 net rating in 287 minutes. Clearly, the Lakers are not better off without LeBron this season.
But what about next season?
The Reaves Factor
Austin Reaves is emerging as a pivotal piece in the Lakers' post-LeBron landscape. He’s set to enter free agency in a unique position that could greatly benefit the Lakers.
Reaves is likely to sign a max or near-max contract this offseason, turning down his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Due to his contract status, his cap hold will be 150% of his current salary, or about $20.9 million.
Considering the projected $165 million salary cap for 2026-27, a max contract for Reaves would start at $41.25 million. Initially, Reaves will count for over $20 million less against the Lakers' cap, giving them room to maneuver.
The Lakers can use their $50 million in cap space, which includes Reaves’ cap hold, to sign other players before re-signing him. With full Bird rights, they can offer him a max deal even if they exceed the cap.
This strategy mirrors what the Philadelphia 76ers did with Tyrese Maxey in 2024, allowing them to sign Paul George. Reaves’ cap hold presents a similar opportunity for the Lakers, one they can't afford to miss.
LeBron’s Future
The Lakers, along with the Bulls and Nets, are among the few teams with significant cap space this offseason. However, unless a sign-and-trade is involved, LeBron doesn’t have many options for a max contract elsewhere. The Lakers could offer it, but strategically, they might not want to.
If Reaves signs a substantial deal, he and Luka will consume over half of the Lakers’ cap space annually. This offseason is crucial for the Lakers to either add a third star or secure valuable supporting players. The current free-agent market still offers options, and playing alongside Luka and Reaves makes the Lakers an attractive destination.
LeBron could opt for the $9.4 million room mid-level exception, which wouldn’t impact the Lakers' cap space. They could use their cap space first, then sign LeBron and re-sign Reaves. However, if LeBron demands more, it could complicate the Lakers’ plans.
Should the Lakers make a deep playoff run, they might consider bringing LeBron back for a farewell tour, even if it affects their long-term strategy. Yet, their focus on the Dončić era suggests they may not invest heavily in keeping LeBron.
Lakers fans should savor these moments with LeBron; they might be his last in purple and gold.