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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of decisions to make this summer. After getting swept by the Thunder in the second round, they need to figure out the right team to build around Luka Doncic. Doncic will be involved in that, as well.

Rob Pelinka is letting Doncic collaborate with him in choosing the roster around him. One of the biggest questions they have is whether LeBron James will be back next season. He is a free agent, and he will be able to sign anywhere he desires. It seems likely that he leaves.

One bold prediction has James leave Los Angeles in a way that benefits the Lakers, as well.

LeBron James Predicted to Leave Lakers Via Sign-And-Trade

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report gives a bold prediction that James leaves Los Angeles in a way that gives the Lakers some assets in return. He believes he will leave via sign-and-trade.

“Sign-and-trade scenarios could be LeBron’s only path to leaving L.A. and receiving more than the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Cavaliers can’t offer him more than the minimum. Linking up with the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić would be basketball nirvana, but requires him accepting the $6.1 million mini MLE or the minimum. It’s the same situation with the Knicks,” Favale writes.

James is likely going to have to take a massive pay cut if he wants to play for a contender next season. Otherwise, this is going to have to be the way he plays next season. He mentioned a couple of years back that he was most likely done taking pay cuts.

A sign-and-trade would allow the Lakers to get something back for James, which would be the ultimate way for him to give back to the team he has excelled with for the last several seasons. Of course, Los Angeles would have to like the package offered back to them.

Los Angeles has to Figure out the Best Roster Around Luka Doncic

James is just one question that needs to be answered by the front office. The rest of the frontcourt was a bit of a mess. Deandre Ayton posted career-low stats in points, rebounds, and assists. Rui Hachimura was inexplicably benched on the final play of the season, despite his hot 3-point shooting.

Figuring those two pieces will be key next season. The Lakers also have to find a way for Doncic to stop getting hurt during the postseason. He got in the best shape of his career before this year began, but that clearly didn’t help him when it mattered the most.

Not having Doncic is a big reason why the Lakers ended up getting swept. Still, it’s not the only reason. Figuring out the best combination around him will be the defining moment in Pelinka’s legacy as the man in charge of Los Angeles.