Insider reveals ‘Plan A’ offseason with LeBron James out of the picture

Ahead of an intriguing offseason for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakersan insider has revealed what many believe will be the organization’s plan A. Some believe James could join forces with veteran Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers; others say it is too early to predict, believing the decision is based on how the 2025-26 campaign ends. play for the Lakers.

However, if the Lakers want to keep James for their future, they will have to line up your ducks in a rowwhich brings in another superstar, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

“The Lakers are one of the few teams projected to have significant cap space this summer to pursue top free agents or go after a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo via an unbalanced trade,” Pincus wrote. “That $54-80 million in cap room won’t be much if James returns with a $58 million cap hit. Plan A for the Lakers, according to competing executives and player agents, appears to be moving away from James and building around a younger star, Luka Doncic.

“Scouts around the league are skeptical that LA can defend well enough with a core of Austin Reaves, Doncic and James. Reaves is expected to opt out of his final year at $14.9 million to try to re-sign as close to the max as possible (around $41.5 million starting salary).”

How Reaves’ new contract could ultimately affect whether James stays for at least one more season.

“As a free agent, Reaves takes up a projected $26.5 million of the team’s cap space. The Lakers can use that difference between his salary and the cap to maximize flexibility this summer,” Pincus added. “Still, Plan A may not come to fruition. If the Lakers reach their top goals, they could hold off until 2027. If so, maybe James will return for a final goodbye, farewell tour, etc. It may not be LA’s primary goal, but it will sell tickets while giving James a proper send-off.”

How the Lakers perform in the postseason should also affect their offseason plans.

Brian Windhorst’s sharp stance against LeBron James, Lakers

Maybe the problems that plagued the Lakers’ regular season weren’t injury-related, but chemistry overall player form with All-Star LeBron James. It’s the Lakers better team without James in the lineup, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, he said, per ESPN’s First Take.

“When Luka (Doncic), LeBron (James) and Austin Reaves play together, they’re just not a good team,” Windhorst said. “When it’s just (Austin and Luca) out there, the Lakers are a great team.

“When Luka (Doncic), LeBron (James) and Austin Reeves play together, they’re just not a good team. … When it’s just (Austin and Luka) out there, the Lakers are a great team.”

– Brian Windhorst 🤔

(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/VGd6h44gLv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 25, 2026

The Lakers fell to the Magic 110-109 on Monday.