Fansided

5 reasons LeBron owns Lakers with Magic Johnson gone

By Jason Cole

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Anthony Davis, Pelicans, Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans shake hands after a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Go get a star

This isn’t a new concept. Almost every summer of his career we’ve had long debates about not if but how many superstars LeBron will be adding to his team.

A few names jump out right away this year, but the most talked about player probably won’t be in the cards — yet. Anthony Davis’ future is controlled by the Pelicans, who already received an offer from the Lakers that involved essentially the entire team and still passed. Boston might be where Davis plays in 2019-20, but he’s a free agent after next year and doesn’t have to commit to wherever he gets traded. He could still end up with the Lakers, but we’re likely a year away from that.

Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard immediately move up the chart without Davis, and of the two Butler is the likeliest option. He’s going to want a max deal, and the Lakers might be forced to offer him that if they swing and miss on everything else. Landing Butler and dealing with the drama after is far better than leaving the offseason empty-handed.

Don’t count out a sleeper option: Kyrie Irving.

LeBron and Kyrie had an ugly breakup in Cleveland but it seems time (and distance) has healed all wounds and they’re ready to end the trial separation. It would also be the Knicksiest thing ever if the team traded Kristaps Prozingis to land Kyrie, only to watch him go to Los Angeles.

While it’s not the Earth-shifting plan we’ve been anticipating, the Lakers landing Kyrie this summer and adding Davis in 2020 is not a bad way for this to all shake out. Either way, LeBron is going to get a superstar teammate this summer, it’s just a question of who?

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