From the moment the trade happened, most could see Los Angeles shifted its timeline by swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić. Dončić is six years younger than Davis, and more importantly, AD's departure exacerbated one of the team's biggest issues. L.A.'s lack of interior protection was exposed again and again by Minnesota.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly expect star forward LeBron James to return to the team for the 2025-26 season according to reports. In an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN Insider Shams Charania says that reports from the Lakers is that there is an internal “understanding that James will return,

LeBron James didn't rule out retirement after the Lakers' season-ending loss on Wednesday, April 30, telling reporters he needs to consult his family, wife and 'support group' first.