The Lakers face bigger problems than James, a key decision on their championship cap

According to Goldwin Matthew, a reporter from the US sports media NBA Analysis Network. A veteran NBA insider said the Los Angeles Lakers faced even bigger problems than LeBron James was.

The Los Angeles Lakers have changed a lot since losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.

LeBron James announced that he would choose the player option in his contract, meaning the 40-year-old will be a free agent next season.

The ownership of the team has also changed as Jenny Bass sold most of the stake to Mark Walter, who has also overseen the renewal of Slovenian genius Luka Doncic since his arrival.

After a big deal from the Dallas Mavericks, it was obvious that Doncic was the new face of the Lakers, but he expressed his desire to continue to fight alongside James.

He also wants to continue playing alongside another star in the team, but it will depend on how he will perform next season.

Austin Reeves' performance will be key to the future of the Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reeves rejected a $90 million five-year contract that the Lakers offered him last month, but he did so because the 27-year-old could make more if signed next season.

His contract has a player option after the 2025-26 season and he will likely opt out and enter the free agent market in search of a larger contract.

Doncic likes to play side by side with Reeves, and if the team wants their team stars to be happy, they may have to offer a contract when the undrafted player becomes a free agent.

Speaking of Reeves' situation, Bontemps said: "For all the discussion about LeBron, no matter what happens in his future, Austin Reeves's problem may have a bigger impact on the Lakers' championship cap and window period in the next few years, because you won't sign him a one- or two-year contract.

"He gets a long-term contract for a big price, and then you get Luca. You build around him and Luca, assuming he stays there.

Reeves made a breakthrough in the regular season, but his performance in the playoff series against the Timberwolves was disappointing.

Bontemps added: "I do think the subplot of the whole season will be very interesting, especially after he really struggled in the Minnesota series.

" Despite all the attention this year, all the attention to Luca's future and everything else, Austin Reeves' performance this season, especially assuming they make it to the playoffs, his performance in the playoffs, would be a very interesting story.

This will likely have a significant impact on the Lakers' summer next summer and their subsequent seasons.

Austin Reeves can play a key role in the Lakers

Many analysts stress how Reeves needs to play the role of Jaylen Brunson playing alongside Doncic when Jaylen Brunson is in the Mavericks.

While Reeves has not proven that he has what Brunson has, the 27-year-old stood up when the team needed him last season.

Season

Score

Asses

2024-25

20.2

5.8

2023-24

15.9

5.5

2022-23

13.0

3.4

2021-22

7.3

1.8

When Doncic and James were absent, he took over the game, which helped him win praise from many people, including James Worthy.

Entering its fifth year of career, Reeves will undoubtedly be one of the players worthy of attention for the Lakers.

James and Doncic will obviously be stars, but the four-time champion may be playing him in Los Angeles for the final year, and once he leaves, Reeves will become Doncic's running mate.