Lakers named best fit for $101 million four-time MVP forward originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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In addition to going outside the organization to acquire franchise-altering assets this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers will likely attempt to retain valuable contributors from their 2025-26 squad.
It won’t be a simple task, given that several of the Lakers’ free agents are expected to garner significant interest on the offseason market. Still, Los Angeles should identify their top priorities and submit offers that will entice them to remain with the 17-time NBA champions.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix believes that re-signing their four-time MVP forward should be a no-brainer move for Los Angeles.
“For (LeBron) James, a return to the Lakers just makes sense,’ Mannix wrote last Thursday. “His family is in Los Angeles—his son Bronny is on the freaking roster—and where James has built an off-the-court business empire.”
“He’s not beloved by Lakers fans—the Kobe Bryant comparisons will never stop—but he has plenty of supporters. He wasn’t enthusiastic about the third-fiddle role, but by the end of the season, he was thriving in it.”
“For James, negotiations with the Lakers could be humbling. He’s not L.A.’s only priority. The Lakers have to re-sign Reaves and continue the process of building out a (Luka) Doncic-friendly team.”
As Mannix noted, catering to Doncic’s primary needs is the Lakers’ ultimate goal, but bringing James back to the fold isn’t too far behind. The 22-time All-Star was effective in a tertiary playmaking role with the Lakers this year, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game in 60 outings.
It appears Mannix has echoed the same sentiment as FS1’s Nick Wright, as he’s also a firm believer that the Bronny factor could ultimately motivate James to spend his 24th season alongside his son in Los Angeles.
With Pelinka and JJ Redick stating they would love to have James back in the fold after their Western Conference Finals-less 2025-26 campaign, it’s likely the future Hall of Famer could value familiarity/family over a fresh start with an alternative contender.
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