James won a championship with the Cavs in 2016 and the Lakers will be hoping he can be the catalyst for similar success in Los Angeles after eight years without a trophy.
However, the four-time league MVP looks unlikely to continue his streak of reaching eight consecutive NBA Finals with the Lakers next season after the team missed out on two top targets this summer.
Kawhi Leonard had been mooted for a move to the Lakers after making his desire to leave the San Antonio Spurs well known following a turbulent, injury-hit year with the legendary franchise.
But the 27-year-old was traded to the Toronto Raptors instead after the Lakers refused to match the Spurs’ lofty asking price.
Paul George was another name considered a certainty to suit up in the famous purple-and-gold next year having repeatedly stated his desire to play for his hometown franchise in previous years.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
In a shock twist however, George decided to re-sign in Oklahoma City alongside Russell Westbrook, declining to even meet with Lakers officials.
As a result, Lakers president Magic Johnson and GM Rob Pelinka were forced to recruit an unlikely cast of veterans for the forthcoming season including JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley.
Both executives stressed the need for patience – despite James’ advancing years – in the seasons ahead, however writing for The Ringer this week, NBA expert John Gonzalez suggested the Lakers were more than likely to make a move before February’s trade deadline.
Analysing the effectiveness of similar trade deadline moves by James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, Gonzalez wrote: “We can debate the merits of those decisions, but roster turnover is how things go on LeBron-led teams in his post-Heat career.
“His teammates don’t tend to stick around all that long. Here today, gone and apologising for it tomorrow.
“If the Lakers continue that tradition, they’re set up pretty well to tinker. They don’t have any extra incoming picks, but the only outgoing selection is a 2019 second-rounder.
“Beyond that, they have some nice young pieces for potential trade offers. Ball, Kuzma, and Hart are all on rookie contracts. So is Brandon Ingram, easily the most attractive asset the Lakers could offer to pry away a second star to pair with James.”