After a tough 2021-22 NBA season, there have been a lot of discussions about the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. Preparing for life after LeBron James is something that the franchise needs to begin evaluating.
James still performed at a high-level last season, averaging 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks in 37.2 minutes per game. Unfortunately for the Lakers, he was able to play in only 56.
The amount of games that he has missed is the first sign of Father Time beginning to even up the score with James. Heading into what will be his age-38 season, the days of James playing 70+ games per season could be over. In three of his four seasons with the purple and gold, James has missed at least 17 games.
His production remains elite, but it is fair to question just how much longer the Lakers will have that in their lineup. The clock is ticking on Los Angeles winning with LeBron James on the roster, but his age isn’t the only thing they have to worry about.
According to Marc Stein on his Substack, two seasons may be all that the Lakers have with James leading the roster.
“The prevailing thinking in league circles holds that only the chance to play elsewhere alongside son Bronny James, who will be eligible for the 2024 draft and continues to develop as an NBA prospect, would spur LeBron to push for an L.A. exit.”
During All-Star weekend in Cleveland this past season, James spoke candidly about how the end of his career could play out. In addition to leaving the door open to returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint, he made it clear he plans to finish his career playing on the same team with his son, Bronny James.
Which franchise that is with, is anyone’s guess as Bronny is eligible to declare for the NBA Draft in two years. While Bronny may not be the most highly touted prospect, as he is currently ranked No. 47 overall and the No. 7 shooting guard in the class of 2023 if teams know that they will have a chance at landing LeBron, bringing the younger James on is a price worth paying.
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