One of the hard parts of being an NBA general manager is looking ahead multiple years and coming up with a plan to make a team into a championship contender.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, that means trying to ensure a smooth transition after LeBron James leaves — whenever that is.
He is under contract until the summer of 2025, when he will be 40 years of age and presumably in decline. Meanwhile, co-superstar Anthony Davis recently signed an extension that will give him the opportunity to wear the Purple and Gold through the 2027-28 season.
If James leaves in 2025, what will Los Angeles do to at least stay competitive?
The answer may have come in the form of a comment by the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo regarding a possible extension.
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s not signing an extension in Milwaukee next summer if everyone isn’t on the same page
“I would not be the best version of myself if I don’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, everybody’s going to… pic.twitter.com/M2GB601JJ1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 24, 2023
At least on paper, the Bucks still appear to be championship contenders. However, they’re coming off a humiliating first-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat, and a few of their key players, including Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, are getting up there in age.
Antetokounmpo can opt out of his contract in 2025, and if he doesn’t, it will expire the following year. He would appear to be an outstanding target for the Lakers to keep their championship window open into the latter part of this decade.
He would barely be in his early 30s at that time. As long as he stays healthy and takes care of his body, he could still have several more excellent years ahead of him at that point. Per the New York Times, he wants to play at least 20 seasons in the NBA.
Knowing the Lakers and their fixation with star power, one has to assume going after Antetokounmpo will be one of their options down the road. However, a lot can change before then, and of course, the chances of landing a superstar like him are very slim.
But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try.
