Magic Johnson isn’t mincing words when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers’ future.
Following the team’s elimination from the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers legend offered a stark assessment of their situation, warning that failure to overhaul the roster this offseason could leave them trailing behind.
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“Laker Nation, we have a problem,” Johnson candidly remarked on Twitter.
“All the top teams in the West boast youth and talent: the Nuggets, the Timberwolves, the Thunder, the Clippers, and the Mavs.”
“And the BIGGEST elephant in the room is the Spurs, who, with Victor Wembanyama, will undoubtedly secure a playoff spot next season. To vie with these formidable opponents, the Lakers must upgrade their roster.”
Will LeBron James stay with the team?
Johnson’s sentiments have been fueled by his emotions throughout the playoffs. Following Game 1, he gained viral attention for expressing his heartbreak over the Lakers’ devastating defeat.
A significant concern surrounding the Lakers this season was their lack of depth and contributions from role players, a deficiency that loomed large in their first-round series against the Nuggets.
Rectifying the roster’s shortcomings overnight is no easy task, particularly for the Lakers, who face uncertainty regarding LeBron James’ free agency decision.
James has a player option worth around $50 million that he can choose to exercise before the end of June.
If he elects to leave the team, this will be entirely his choice and the Lakers will not have any way of responding.
Many around the league believe James will not exercise this option in search of playing with a stronger roster, although some feel that if the Lakers draft LeBron James’ son, Bronny, in the upcoming NBA Draft then he could be tempted to sign a new contract.
Furthermore, the team may not possess a first-round pick this year, as the New Orleans Pelicans hold rights to either their 2024 or 2025 selection.
Without LeBron, a significant void would be left in the lineup, placing immense pressure on general manager Rob Pelinka to construct a competitive team for the 2024-25 season.
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