Lakers urged to replace LeBron James with Thunder's $87M perfect lob threat for Luka Doncic

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Lakers urged to replace LeBron James with Thunder's $87M perfect lob threat for Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers watched their season come to a halt on Monday when the Oklahoma City Thunder swept them. It marked the end of the road for some players, potentially including a few who may have played their final game in Los Angeles.

One name that could have played his last game in LA — and possibly the final game of his career — is LeBron James. After the game, he made it clear that he is unsure about his future.

“With my future, I don't know," James said after Game 4. "Obviously still fresh from losing. I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me, obviously. As it stands right now tonight, I've got a lot of time. I'll sit back like I think I said last year after we lost to Minnesota, I'll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them. When the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do."

No matter what James decides, it likely will not happen anytime soon. Many around the league believe he could take some sort of pay cut if he continues playing.

“There is definitely, I think, a prevailing sentiment around the league that LeBron, wherever he goes, would be best served to take a minimum salary contract if he does care ultimately about winning another championship,” Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer said.

However, there is also some belief that the Lakers should move on entirely. Los Angeles could allow James to walk and pursue a Luka Dončić-style big man in Isaiah Hartenstein.

“But if he does return, the Lakers won’t have nearly as much flexibility this summer, and with Doncic entering his prime, they should want to have as much flexibility as possible,” Lake Show Life’s Jack Simone wrote. “For example, should James choose to leave, the Lakers could potentially have enough money to bring Isaiah Hartenstein on board, whether that be via a trade or free agency.”

Hartenstein makes plenty of sense for the Lakers because of the energy and consistency he brings every night. He nearly averaged a double-double during the regular season, and Dončić has yet to play alongside a consistent big man in Los Angeles.

Hartenstein is in the second year of his $87 million contract with the Thunder, but there is some belief he could become available because of financial concerns. If the Lakers were able to land him, it would be viewed as a major win-now move for the front office.

More NBA news:

• Lakers' LeBron James' legacy put under the microscope this summer no matter where he signs​

• Lakers' Austin Reaves leaves future in LA up in the air after sudden change of heart comments​

• Lakers have clear path to sign Thunder's $87M Luka Doncic lob threat after 'domino effect'​

• Lakers' JJ Redick sends strong message to LeBron James, Austin Reaves amid 3-0 deficit vs. Thunder​

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