The Los Angeles Lakers continue to struggle this season as they're currently sporting a diabolical 2-7 record, but they could be set for further misery in years to come.
The Lakers were outclassed by LeBron James ' former side the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday as they slumped to a 100-114 defeat, and fans are already calling for trades to be made. However, the Lakers have already given up a lot of future picks with the recent high-profile trades they have made, most notably Anthony Davis.
James is still one of the finest NBA players in the league, but due to his age it's not expected that he can keep performing at that level for long. James is not eligible to be traded this season, but he could very well depart next year, and the Lakers could be left with a huge problem.
The Lakers acquired James in 2018, and Davis followed in 2019 when he joined from the New Orleans Pelicans. They won the NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020 and all looked well, but their 'star-studded' squad currently looks like anything but.
James has seen the Lakers roster built round him, which on paper is a no-brainer in the short-term. But the same can't be said for the long-term, with a future trade possible with James not wanting to end his career in this manner.
NBA expert Kevin O'Connor is majorly concerned for the Lakers moving forward, and even posed a theory of what may unfold on the Bill Simmons podcast. O'Connor said: "If you're the Lakers, you can't be feeling immense confidence that LeBron will want to be there long term, considering the situation they're in.
"So you can't give up those picks knowing he could just turn around and demand a trade in July next year. If you're the Lakers here, you've got to be thinking long-term, and you can't be thinking with LeBron James' future in mind - especially considering the situation, but also his age. He's old!"
The Lakers have made all kinds of space to accommodate James, Davis and most recently Russell Westbrook, but they failed to make the play-offs last season and it would take a miracle to turn the current campaign around. What's worse, is in order to trade Davis, they surrendered considerable first-round draft picks.
In the 2023 NBA draft the Pelicans have the right to swap picks, and the following year they also have the right to receive the 2025 pick instead. The Lakers have to wait until 2026 before they are guaranteed to have a first-round pick of their own.
So with James ageing, and their control over the up and coming talent limited, the Lakers are in a tough spot. They may have security over the fact that James must remain with them for this season, but that doesn't mean he won't demand to leave in July.
