Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talked on Thursday about supporting and maximizing LeBron James, and he sounded as if he expects James to stay.

Speaking to reporters Thursday in the aftermath of the Lakers' 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round series, Pelinka said they will do "whatever we can" to meet the roster expectations of the 40-year-old superstar next season.

Back in early February, general manager Rob Pelinka shocked the basketball world by trading away Anthony Davis in a blockbuster deal to acquire Luka Doncic. The move signaled a clear shift in the Lakers’ direction—building long-term around Doncic as the franchise centerpiece.