LeBron James delivered an extraordinary performance at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, leading Team USA to a fifth consecutive gold medal. His remarkable display of skill and leadership, earning him the Olympics MVP title, left the world in awe. At 39 years old, James defied age and expectations, dominating in minutes, rebounds, and assists across six thrilling victories.
Yet, back in Los Angeles, the celebration was muted. Despite his global triumph, the city couldn’t help but wonder why this brilliance wasn’t translating to success with the Lakers. The stark contrast between his Olympic heroics and the Lakers’ ongoing struggles became painfully clear.
While the rest of the sports world marvelled at LeBron’s enduring greatness, Lakers fans were left questioning why such performances seemed reserved for international stages rather than the NBA. The city had seen these flashes of brilliance before, but without consistent support, James’ efforts often fell short.
The Lakers, once a beacon of hope and championship aspirations, have become a source of frustration and disappointment. As the Dodgers gear up for another deep playoff run, the Lakers find themselves once again mired in mediocrity. If they fail to contend for a title in what may be the final two seasons of LeBron James’ illustrious career, it could go down as one of the biggest missed opportunities in Los Angeles sports history.
This failure would surpass even the missed chances of other iconic LA teams—whether it be the Kings with Wayne Gretzky, the Clippers’ Lob City era, USC’s Caleb Williams era, or the Dodgers’ decade of dominance with only one short-season title. LeBron, arguably the greatest player in NBA history, could end his Lakers tenure without a full-season championship, a prospect that seems almost unfathomable.
Yes, the Lakers won the bubble championship in 2020, but as time passes, that victory feels increasingly like an anomaly—a product of an abbreviated season that favored an aging star. Since LeBron James joined the Lakers six seasons ago, they’ve only reached one NBA Finals, two Western Conference Finals, and experienced several early playoff exits.
This situation has led some to call for LeBron to be traded, allowing the Lakers to rebuild and reclaim their winning ways. However, that possibility evaporated this summer when James committed to a two-year, $101 million extension, signaling his intent to finish his career in Los Angeles.
Even the staunchest LeBron critics must now acknowledge that he’s here to stay. The onus is now on the Lakers to make the most of his remaining years. General Manager Rob Pelinka must take bold actions to revitalize the team, even if it means trading fan favorites like Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt. Even future first-round draft picks should be on the table.
However, Anthony Davis, the crucial second piece of the Lakers’ Big Three, should remain untouchable. The Lakers’ challenge is to find that missing third piece, one who can help propel the team to a championship without sacrificing Davis. LeBron’s time in LA should not end in disappointment; the Lakers owe it to their legacy to build a team that can capitalize on his greatness.
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