CHICAGO - The one word that best describes the Lakers' season of discontent is also the title of a 2015 romantic comedy featuring LeBron James.
Trainwreck.
A campaign that started with hope (a 9-6 start) and some fulfillment (In-Season Tournament win) ultimately ended in the anguish of a first-round playoffs exit.
The sadness isn't confined within Laker Nation, it ripples throughout the entire NBA.
READ Fil-Am's side job as LA Clippers' staffer never feels like work
With both Steph Curry and Kevin Durant's teams already out, LeBron was the last man standing from the bastion of greatness that defined the league for two decades.
Led by the dominance of Nikola Jokic and the rise of young stars such as Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards and Shai-Gilegous Alexander, among others, the changing of the guard in the NBA is almost upon us.
ALMOST. BUT NOT QUITE.
Curry is hitched with the Warriors until the 2025-26 season when he is due to collect $115.3 million while Durant has a contract with the Suns until 2026 worth $105.8 million.
LeBron James, on the other hand, has a decision to make.
He has until June 29 to opt-in with the Lakers and tack a two-year extension that would boost his payout to $162 million, per USA Today. He can also elect to become a free agent.
All the top-tier teams in the NBA would want LeBron. His name is an instant box-office draw and even at age 39 and having just played 21 seasons in the NBA, he is still very good.
Most importantly, he is healthy with no discernible signs of a steep decline.
James played in 71 regular season games and appeared in all of the Lakers' five games against the Nuggets where he averaged 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists on 40.8 minutes of action.
If he decides to leave, the juiciest incentive lies in the fact that he can become the only player in the history of the league to win four titles in four teams after championships in Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles.
GOING...GOING... GONE?
After their Game 5 loss to Denver last April 29, The Athletic reported that the Lakers were "open to drafting Bronny James," a move many view as a tool to entice James to stay and fulfill the dream of playing with his son.
A rumor also circulated that LeBron could sign with the Sixers if Bronny transfers from USC to Villanova, the university in Philadelphia that has a five-star program that produced current Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Donte Divincenzo and Josh Hart.
By refusing to answer the question if he had played his last with the Lakers, LeBron is only adding to the fog of uncertainty.
But the firing of Darvin Ham has provided a little more clarity.
LeBron and Ham didn't always see eye-to-eye. To me, Ham's dismissal was an affirmation that the organization is completely behind James.
The Lakers have the pieces. With a new coach, plus a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, and maybe the addition of a legit big to back up AD, another run at a title is doable.
The grass is not always greener on the other side.
LeBron James is exactly where he needs to be.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
