Lebron James has no plans to retire following the Lakers’ crushing first-round playoff loss to the Timberwolves – but the 40-year-old has a huge ask of his franchise.
Following the Lakers’ season-ending 103-96 loss to Minnesota, James declined to answer a question about the team’s lack of size and what it was like playing ‘center-less’ basketball in the wake of Anthony Davis’ injury and eventual trade to Dallas.
But The Daily Mail can reveal that James does in fact have some big opinions about the state of the team’s current roster, and wants GM Rob Pelinka to make a big splash for Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
‘LeBron wants the Lakers to take other measures as well to improve the team with potentially getting Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo,’ a source said.
‘So, whether they can sign a few people or trade for others, LeBron is looking to have one last super team to try to get another chancer to be in the finals and win it. He wants to go out a winner, not a first round loser.’
The Lakers have more than half of the projected 2025-26 cap tied to James and Luka Doncic, who are due $52million (player option) and $46million respectively, per Spotrac.
LeBron James wants the Los Angeles Lakers to make a big splash this offseason
James averaged 25.4 points per night in the Lakers first-round series vs. Minnesota
Thus, adding Antetokounmpo (who will have a cap hit north of $54million) or Durant ($51million) would require the team to go well into the luxury tax and likely handicap the rest of their roster.
That is, unless James declines his player option and signs a more team-friendly deal.
The source told the Daily Mail that such a scenario is indeed a possibility, while reiterating the four-time MVP’s desire to keep playing.
‘LeBron will not retire. If that is the talk in the next few weeks, it is not going to happen,’ they said.
‘He might choose to not take his player option and end up signing a new contract to allow the Lakers to go after a few free agents, but he isn’t going to retire, he is going to give it another chance as he would like to have a full season with Luka and see what they can do with a revamped team.’
Durant is widely expected to ask for a trade this summer after the Suns missed the play-in, while the chatter of a potential Antetokounmpo exit from Milwaukee continues to get louder.
James wants the Lakers to make a play for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant
James will return next season so that his partnership with Luka Doncic will get a full year to thrive
The Bucks were comfortably beaten in five games in their first-round playoff series to the Pacers, and the outlook looks bleak moving forward for Milwaukee after Damian Lillard ruptured his Achilles in the playoffs.
Nonetheless, the Lakers are considered one of the most likely landing spots for the ‘Greek Freak’ if he does ask out.
Any such trade for Durant or Antetokounmpo would likely have to involve some combination of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and/or Dorian-Finney Smith (the Lakers’ other three starters in Game 5) to make the finances work.
Regardless, Lakers and NBA fans should expect James back next year for his 23rd season.
The 40-year-old did show some of his wear and tear at times in the Minnesota series, as he shot just nine-of-21 in the series-clinching Game 5 loss.
Durant, 36, and Antetokounmpo, 30, would certainly give James and Doncic an added boost in a loaded Western Conference.
