While LeBron James‘ status next season remains unknown, the Los Angeles Lakers are still feeling the pressure to build him a championship roster. In a recent chat with the media, GM Rob Pelinka was open about their approach and explained where their 40-year-old superstar fit into such a critical offseason.
“LeBron is one of the GOATs of the game, and he’s a completely selfless leader. I think we saw that in this playoff series, moving to playing more off the ball and committing to the defensive end,” said Pelinka. “I think it’s just a testament to his championship DNA and character. I think LeBron’s gonna have high expectations for the roster, and we’re gonna do everything we can to meet those. But I also know that, whatever it is, he’s gonna give 100% every night, whether that’s scoring, assisting, defending, rebounding, leading… we know that’s always gonna be 100%, it never wavers.”
The Lakers shocked the basketball world when they acquired Luka Doncic from the Mavericks in a blockbuster trade. His arrival sparked a revival for the Lakers, and they went on to dominate for months to secure the third-best record in the West (50-32).
With Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and head coach JJ Redick, LeBron was leading the Lakers to inspiring basketball, and they started the first round with confidence in their chances to advance. Now, after losing the series 4-1, the Lakers are considering making major changes to address some of their biggest flaws.
“It’s important to understand this team was able to finish third. When you make a big trade at the deadline, your roster is trying to build an airplane in the sky,” said Pelinka. “Now we get a chance to land it and see what we have to change. That’s what we’ll do. When you trade your center for a PG, it’s going to create issues. One of our goals is to add size in the backcourt, adding a center. We have a lot of work to do and it will look different next year for sure.”
Even after 22 seasons, LeBron James’ standards are high, and he demands total commitment from the Lakers in pursuit of a championship. With averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game on 51.3% shooting this season, James continues to be a leader both on and off the court, and it’s a safe bet that he’ll be giving the Lakers advice on how to fix the roster.
Rob Pelinka Will Not Trade The Lakers’ Big Three
Between LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic, the Lakers have a star-studded core of elite talent that can compete with the best in the West. Pelinka had to watch as that trio lost in the first round, but he still has faith that they can win it all with enough time and effort.
“I think those guys have a lot of promise playing together,” said Pelinka. “We’re gonna put in the work to allow that group of guys to win a championship together.”
With all eyes on the 2025-26 season, the Lakers have their core in place, but now it’s time to make the necessary adjustments that will increase their potential as a unit.
The first order of business was filling out the frontcourt, which was depleted after they traded Anthony Davis. With just Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, the Lakers had to play small against the Timberwolves, and it limited their effectiveness on the floor.
The Lakers can also use some reinforcements on the bench, especially in the backcourt. With another ball handler in the rotation, the Lakers might be able to generate easier shots and relieve some offensive pressure from the big three.
Regardless of what happens this summer, LeBron James has big expectations for the 2025-26 season, and the Lakers are committed to helping him build a championship roster that can compete with the best in the West.
