LeBron James may not be the unstoppable force he was in his prime, but make no mistake - he’s still LeBron James. Even at 41, he’s one of the league’s biggest attractions and a player whose presence still shifts the balance of a franchise.
That’s why, no matter how you slice it, losing him would hit the Lakers hard. And ironically, that loss could be Utah’s gain.
Here’s the situation: the Utah Jazz are holding onto a potentially valuable 2027 first-round pick from the Lakers - top-four protected - thanks to the first Russell Westbrook trade. When that deal was made, the pick already had solid value. But now, with growing signs that LeBron’s time in Los Angeles may be nearing its end, that pick could turn into pure gold.
The whispers about LeBron and the Lakers parting ways have been getting louder, and ESPN’s Shams Charania added fuel to the fire with recent comments suggesting the relationship may be winding down. Whether James retires or signs elsewhere in free agency this summer, the writing on the wall is getting harder to ignore.
And if that split does happen, Utah could be in prime position to benefit without lifting a finger.
Let’s be clear - the Lakers wouldn’t suddenly become a bottom-feeder if LeBron leaves. But his departure would absolutely make it tougher for them to stay competitive in the brutal Western Conference.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are trending upward and could be in the playoff mix next season. That means more pressure on the Lakers to stay afloat, and more potential for that 2027 pick to land higher in the draft.
The Western Conference doesn’t offer much breathing room. Even a slight dip can turn a contender into a play-in team.
And if the Lakers lose LeBron, they’ll be facing that reality head-on. They’d likely have to double down on keeping pieces like Austin Reaves - a player who could become even more valuable in LeBron’s absence.
And while the Jazz might have eyes on Reaves themselves, his potential retention in L.A. wouldn’t derail Utah’s offseason entirely - not if they’ve got contingency plans in place.
There’s a bit of irony here, too. Over the course of LeBron’s two-decade run, the Jazz have been one of the few teams he hasn’t directly impacted all that much.
No playoff battles. No major roadblocks.
But now, in a twist of fate, his possible exit from L.A. could hand the Jazz a major asset - maybe even the kind of pick that helps shape a franchise’s future.
Nothing is set in stone yet. But where there’s smoke, there’s usually something burning. And if LeBron does call it a wrap in Los Angeles, the ripple effects could reach all the way to Salt Lake City - and land the Jazz one of the most valuable draft picks in the league.