What LeBron James' Departure Means for the Lakers' Offseason Plans
What LeBron James' Departure Means for the Lakers' Offseason Plans
The LeBron James era of the Los Angeles Lakers has officially come to an end, opening things up for the team to focus building around Luka Doncic with some intriguing scenarios.Ryan Ward|
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Los Angeles LakersAfter eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, four-time NBA champion LeBron James has decided to leave the iconic franchise, informing the team that he’ll continue his career elsewhere.
Over the past year, there’s been a lot of speculation about James’ future with the 17-time champions after he opted into the final year of his deal with the team and wasn’t offered a new contract.
Thank you, LeBron 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/SW910ZVqSu
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 30, 2026
All sorts of scenarios emerged as it became clear the Lakers were ready to move on from James and build around the new face of the franchise, Luka Doncic.
Although both sides were saying all the right things once the 2025-26 campaign came to an end, as it didn’t seem out of the realm of possibility that he’d return to Los Angeles for a record-setting 24th season, the writing has been on the wall for quite some time.
Lakers Could Work on Sign-and-Trade With LeBron
With James making it clear he’s not returning to the Lakers ahead of the start of NBA free agency, longtime general manager Rob Pelinka and the new-look front office can now focus on the Doncic era in Los Angeles, with the goal of building a title contender around the Slovenian superstar and guard Austin Reaves.
One intriguing scenario that has come up frequently during the offseason has been the Lakers working out a sign-and-trade if James wants to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third and final stint. This might be an ideal situation for the Lakers, as veteran center Jarrett Allen could be a target to fill a need.
The Lakers have been searching for an A-list center, and Allen would be a solid addition.
However, James has to want to go back to Cleveland, but if a sign-and-trade can get worked out, Bronny James could get involved, which might also intrigue the future Hall of Famer.
Before LeBron made his decision public through his Klutch Sports agent, Rich Paul, Bronny James had his contract guaranteed by the Lakers. Perhaps that is part of the next move for both parties.
Another Sign-and-Trade Scenario Without LeBron
If James wants to sign with the Golden State Warriors or another team and a sign-and-trade isn’t on the table, the Lakers must pivot to being aggressive in what the team has been searching for this summer, which is bringing in an elite center.
Quite a few centers the Lakers have been linked to this NBA offseason have already agreed to new deals with their current teams, which doesn’t leave Pelinka and company many options moving forward.
Robert Williams III (Blazers), Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder), Kristaps Porzingis (Warriors), Kel’el Ware (traded to Bucks) and Jock Landale (Hawks) are off the table. There’s still Mitchell Robinson, who could ultimately be the answer, even though he comes with injury concerns.
However, the best move might be to pull off a sign-and-trade to land Walker Kessler or Jalen Duren, both restricted free agents.
Duren’s situation got interesting this week, as he is now angling for this move because he can't see eye to eye on a long-term contract with the Detroit Pistons, but the Sacramento Kings seem to be in the lead to make a sign-and-trade, even though the rising star is expected to speak to the Lakers once free agency begins on Tuesday.
Kessler might be the best option for Los Angeles, as he might come cheaper than Duren and is an ideal fit to play alongside Doncic as a talented big that can make an impact on both ends of the floor and is only 24 years old.
Peyton Watson is Also Potential Target for Lakers
If Kessler and Duren aren’t realistic options, the Lakers could pivot to going all in on another restricted free agent. Peyton Watson has been a rumored target for Los Angeles, and there’s a chance they could take advantage of the Denver Nuggets being a salary cap bind this summer.
All scenarios involving restricted free agents are tough, as their current teams can match any offer sheet signed, but there’s always a chance those teams don’t want to pay what the player is demanding, which seems to be the case with Duren.
Regardless of the direction the Lakers go from here, they can now concentrate on their offseason plans without worrying about the James angle.
Obviously, there’s still the sign-and-trade possibility with James, but the offseason will start to take shape with the Luka era of Lakers basketball officially underway.
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Published 55 seconds ago
RYAN WARDRyan Ward is an NBA journalist and a credentialed reporter with more than 15 years of experience covering the league and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has written for ClutchPoints, Lakers Nation, Heavy, Rotowire and EssentiallySports. Ryan also produces a podcast and video content focused on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA at large.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
