What Will The Lakers Look Like Post-Lebron's Retirement?

Last night, the NBA world saw a suprisingly emotional return to Cleveland by Lebron James in what could be his very last. While the Lakers will play the Cavs again in late March, this was their one and only trip to Rocket Arena this season. During the 1st quarter, the arena videoboards played showing his highlights from his 48-point performance in Game 5 of the 2007 ECF against the heavily favored Detroit Pistons. While the Lakers did lose the game, it was a overall great night for the James family as both Lebron and Bronny got good minutes. But after watching a teary-eyed moment in this game, it makes me start to wonder what this team will look like post-Lebron.

The team will obviously still be led by Luka Doncic, and will be so probably until he retires. I'm not sure how long JJ Reddick will be able to keep his job, as the Lakers might have a fall-off after Lebron leaves the team. As for who will replace Lebron, right now Jarred Vanderbilt is below him on the depth chart, but he isn't really starting material.

Giannis Antetokoumpo is in trade talks with many teams, but to me, the Lakers don't have the trade capital to afford him. It seems like the Lakers current No.1 trade target is 3&D wing De'Andre Hunter from the Cavaliers. With him, post-Lebron the team could move Rui Hachimura to the power forward spot and install Hunter at the wing.

Obviously this is a very interesting roster, but what identity will the Lakers have without Lebron? Deandre Ayton has been reliable for the Lakers so far, but Luka Doncic isn't a pick-and-roll guard. He's an all-around player who can play the one, two, or three positions with ease. Austin Reaves is a great shooter who spaces well with Doncic and has chemistry with him, but he's been floated in trade ideas ever since he broke out in 2023.

Lebron James is arguably the greatest basketball player ever, and even if it doesn't seem like it, he's been on the Los Angeles Lakers for almost a decade now. We won't know when he'll hang up his sneakers until he announces it, but the team's future is something any NBA fan should start paying attention to now, because after the emotions we saw from him last night, the clock might be ticking even faster than expected.