Leading NBA star LeBron James should emulate Tom Brady's approach and persuade the NBA MVP to form a $150m powerhouse trio with the Lakers, similar to Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad.
Bringing Luka Doncic into the Lakers Fold Doesn't Seem to Boost Their Chances
The Lakers, once victorious, now find themselves back in the first round fail zone. After a disappointing 4-1 playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the addition of Luka Doncic to the Lakers roster in the following season didn't seem to make a significant impact.
LeBron James and his team were ousted from the playoffs once more, this time by the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. The King couldn't hold his own in 2023-2024, and things went downhill again in 2024-2025 against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Line of Defense for a Legend
At 40, retirement would be a natural step for most, but not for the second-greatest NBA player of all time. Another superteam, one more shot at the pinnacle of The Association—with Bronny James growing on the bench and a two-time MVP taking the lead—could be the answer.
An aging king can still play third fiddle for the Lakers next season, and with a little luck, they might snag their 18th world championship—if LeBron can somehow convince Giannis Antetokounmpo that purple and gold are his colors.
Unlocking Milwaukee's Secret Exit
Giannis might not realize it yet, but his NBA future seems dim in small-market Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard fared poorly after breaking out in Portland, and the Bucks struggle to gather more than 16 postseason wins during spring 2025.
Money is the key obstacle when it comes to assembling the greatest superteam since Wade, Bosh, and James in Miami. Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Bucks in October 2023, keeping the news to himself and sharing it via social media.
However, just 20 months later, Lillard and the Bucks are facing a lost year as their star player and Khris Middleton play for some of the worst teams in the league. The Pacers had the mean edge, eliminating the struggling Bucks from the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
In the Spotlight
Meanwhile in L.A., James contemplates retirement. "Due to my knee injury sustained at the end of the season, I won't be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight," he tweeted. Missing out on the excitement of a first-round exit is tougher than missing a fashion event, he must have thought.
Adding Doncic to an already shaky roster won't help the Lakers in the next season. Instead, James has a chance to recreate Tom Brady's magic, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory. James doesn't need more money, but he does need another ring—and his 40-year-old self can't carry the Lakers to success alone.
Stephen Curry's recent injury serves as a grim reminder that the NBA's biggest stars are nearing their end. If James can convince Antetokounmpo of the basketball joys found in Los Angeles, show time 2.0 could be around the corner. The Lakers have the assets, fanbase, and media appeal to take Antetokounmpo to the next level, making them a force to be reckoned with.
Footnotes:
[1] https://www.nba.com/news/lebron-james-giannis-antetokounmpo-superteam-pairing
[2] https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32772516/forging-next-superteam-lebron-james-giannis-antetokounmpo
[3] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10050780-5-integral-parts-of-the-lakers-roster-that-could-potentially-be-traded-for-giannis-antetokounmpo
- LeBron James, despite his age, is contemplating playing in a different sport, boxing, to extend his athletic career beyond basketball.
- The NFL's New Orleans Saints are seeking a new manager, and rumors suggest that LeBron James could be a potential candidate, given his leadership skills and sports experience.
- In a surprising turn of events, Jalen Ramsey of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams was seen trolling basketball stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic on social media.
- Despite their struggles in basketball, the Lakers are rumored to be making a foray into MMA, with Conor McGregor expressing interest in managing their team.
- In the 2025 NBA season, Luka Doncic put up impressive numbers, making him a hot commodity at the NBA All-Star Gala's auction.
- While the Lakers are facing challenges in basketball, their esports division, "Lakers Gaming," has become a force in the NBA2K League and is set to compete in the finals.
- The NBA galaxy is abuzz with the possibility of another superteam, with LeBron James reportedly trying to recruit Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving into the Lakers fold.
