LeBron James reacts to Lakers signing Carmelo Anthony and other free agents

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James responded to the team’s active participation in free agency so far, leading some to state he’s the real general manager.

James has long had a say in who joins his team, and who doesn’t. Dating back to his days with the Miami Heat, where he created the Big 3 on the fly, LeBron has orchestrated some of the best superteams the NBA has ever seen.

LeBron took to his instagram story after Lakers general manager (the real one, we presume) Rob Pelinka inked Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and Carmelo Anthony. They also traded for Russell Westbrook.

https://twitter.com/pickuphoop/status/1422664238183628803

That is…a ton of roster moves, and it should make for a completely retooled Lakers squad come the start of the 2021-22 season.

NBA Free Agency: Are the Lakers favorites to win the Title?

The Brooklyn Nets remain the technical favorites, per WynnBet. But that could change at any moment, as the Lakers continue to be active on the free agent market.

The Lakers roster remains ancient in terms of average player age, so staying healthy will be paramount to a team that lost both of its star players in James and Anthony Davis for long stretches last season.

The Western Conference is also as competitive as ever. Assuming the Clippers can bring back Kawhi Leonard, they’ll be a force. The Denver Nuggets should return Jamal Murray, and the Jazz had the best regular-season record in the conference. Oh, and how about those Phoenix Suns, who made the NBA Finals? Chris Paul is back in the desert.

Where, exactly, do the Lakers fit in? Considering them favorites in a crowded conference without playing a game together feels like a stretch.