As LeBron James approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a new era. Recent reports indicate that the Lakers have set their sights on a potential superstar to carry the torch after LeBron retires. Among the names being floated around is the Dallas Mavericks’ sensation, who has quickly become one of the most dominant players in the league. With LeBron possibly retiring before the 2026-27 season as his new contract extension expires there, the Lakers are strategizing how to maintain their championship pedigree. Let’s dive into what this could mean for the Lakers and explore other NBA stars they should consider pursuing if this plan doesn’t materialize.

1. Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly eyeing Luka Doncic as a potential heir to LeBron James once the superstar retires. According to recent reports, the Lakers have been strategizing for the post-LeBron era, and Doncic is at the top of their wish list. With LeBron nearing the end of his illustrious career, the Lakers are keen on maintaining their championship pedigree by adding a generational talent like Doncic.

Doncic had a stellar 2023-24 season, averaging 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game, leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. Despite falling to the Boston Celtics in five games, Doncic’s performance cemented his status as one of the league’s elite players. His shooting efficiency was also remarkable, with 48.7% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc.

Doncic has often expressed his admiration for LeBron James, who he considers an idol. This connection has fueled speculation about a potential move to the Lakers, as Doncic could see it as an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his basketball hero. Yet, Doncic is currently under contract with the Mavericks until at least the 2026-27 season, with the possibility of a lucrative extension that would make him one of the highest-paid players in NBA history. If anything, he could become a free agent and sign with the team like LeBron himself did in 2018.

While the Lakers would love to bring Doncic to Los Angeles, the Mavericks are unlikely to part with their star unless he requests a trade. For now, Doncic remains the cornerstone of a Mavericks team that has built a strong supporting cast around him, aiming to return to the Finals and capture an NBA title. The Lakers, however, will keep a close eye on the situation, hoping to eventually add Doncic to their storied franchise in the 2027 offseason.

2. Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum’s admiration for Kobe Bryant runs deep, influencing both his approach to the game and his mindset as a competitor. This connection was profoundly highlighted during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, when Tatum sent a heartfelt message to Kobe’s old number before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, writing, “I got you today.” This act was more than just a tribute; it was a testament to how much Kobe’s legacy drives Tatum’s own career. He went on to lead the Celtics to victory, securing their spot in the NBA Finals.

Tatum’s connection to Kobe is more than just words; he’s expressed a desire to replicate Kobe’s iconic moments, such as winning championships and recreating famous photos, like those of Kobe cradling the Larry O’Brien Trophy. After winning the Eastern Conference Finals, Tatum even wore an armband bearing Kobe’s number 24, further showing how much he draws from Bryant’s legacy.

The thought of Tatum playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe’s team, might seem like a natural fit given his admiration for Bryant. However, this scenario is highly unlikely. Tatum is already on the path to becoming one of the all-time greats in Boston Celtics history, and it would be incredibly controversial for the Celtics to trade him to their biggest rival.

The only plausible way Tatum could join the Lakers would be as a free agent, but even that seems improbable, given his deep ties to the Celtics and his likely future as a Boston legend. Tatum recently signed an extension with the Celtics, making him ineligible for Free Agency until the 3030 offseason, as he could decline his Player Option. Despite his dreams of following in Kobe’s footsteps, Tatum’s legacy appears to be built in Boston, not Los Angeles.

3. Trae Young

Trae Young’s name has been swirling in trade rumors recently as the Atlanta Hawks appear to be on the verge of a major rebuild. After a disappointing 2023-24 season where the Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, the franchise decided to make significant changes. This offseason, they traded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, signaling the beginning of a potential teardown and rebuild around new talent.

Young, who is under contract with the Hawks until the 2026-27 season, could be the next big name to be moved. With Atlanta likely heading into a full-scale rebuild, there’s speculation that Young could either be traded before the end of his contract to ensure the Hawks get something in return or that he could leave as a free agent once his deal is up. The idea of Young joining the Lakers has been one of the more popular rumors, especially given his high-profile status and the Lakers’ constant search for a new star to pair with Anthony Davis.

Given that Young has carried the Hawks for several seasons, including leading them to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, there are doubts about whether the team will want to part ways with him. But with the franchise now looking to rebuild with younger, defensive-minded players, trading Young could be a way to jumpstart that process and acquire valuable assets in return. Whether it’s through a trade in the final year of his contract or a move in free agency, Trae Young could very well be the next star to join the Lakers, especially as the Hawks continue their organizational reset.

4. Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards has quickly established himself as the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading them to the Western Conference Finals in the 2023-24 season. With averages of 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, Edwards has proven to be one of the NBA’s rising superstars. He also played a key role for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he shared the court with legends like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, adding another layer to his already impressive resume.

The Timberwolves’ recent success, however, brings back memories of Kevin Garnett’s time in Minnesota. Garnett led the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals in 2004, but the team struggled to maintain that level of success and eventually traded him to the Boston Celtics. There’s a growing concern that history could repeat itself with Edwards. While Minnesota is on an upswing, a few bad seasons could lead to the team considering a rebuild, much like the New Orleans Pelicans did when they traded Anthony Davis to the Lakers.

Edwards will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2029, so walking out of Minnesota and into the bright light of Los Angeles could be a long-awaited scenario in the future. And unless the Timberwolves blow up their roster, it’s unlikely for Edwards to get moved at this point on a blockbuster trade.

If the Timberwolves find themselves in a situation where they are no longer competitive, Edwards could either be traded to a team like the Lakers, who are always on the lookout for the next superstar, or he could decide to leave as a free agent once his contract is up. Given his current trajectory and the allure of playing in a big market like Los Angeles, the possibility of Edwards eventually joining the Lakers can’t be entirely ruled out.

For now, Edwards remains committed to the Timberwolves, but as we’ve seen before with players like Garnett and Davis, circumstances can change quickly in the NBA.

5. Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson’s tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans has been a rollercoaster of incredible potential overshadowed by frequent injuries. In the 2023-24 season, Zion played in 70 games, where he averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 57% shooting from the field. His physical dominance was evident, particularly during key games like his 40-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Play-In Tournament. Unfortunately, Zion’s season ended abruptly due to a hamstring injury sustained in that very game, which forced him to miss the remainder of the Pelicans’ playoff push.

The Pelicans’ ongoing struggles to achieve consistent success have led to increasing speculation about Zion’s future with the team. Despite the front office’s statements that they did not seriously consider trading him, rumors persist that a move could be on the horizon if the team continues to falter or if Zion’s injuries remain a significant concern. Observers often draw comparisons between Zion’s situation and that of Anthony Davis, who also dealt with frustrations in New Orleans before ultimately being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

If the Pelicans decide to rebuild or if Zion himself becomes frustrated with the franchise’s direction, a trade might become inevitable before his contracts expires in the 2028 offseason. Many speculate that the Lakers could be a likely destination, given their history of acquiring superstar talent. Alternatively, Zion could opt to explore free agency once his contract ends, potentially choosing to join a larger market team like the Lakers. For now, Zion remains the face of the Pelicans, but his future is a topic of intense interest and speculation across the NBA.