Plaschke: LeBron James’ new contract proves the Lakers’ offseason is a failure

The Lakers have granted an aging star a generous contract extension that guarantees he will retire in their uniform, despite knowing it will limit their championship prospects. This scenario has played out before, leading to six consecutive losing seasons and the worst record in Lakers history, marking the end of the Kobe Bryant era.

Now, with LeBron James agreeing to a two-year, $104 million max contract on Wednesday, the Lakers seem poised to repeat history, heading toward several seasons of Bryant-like irrelevance. Although James remains a stronger player than Bryant was in his final years and the team boasts Anthony Davis, as opposed to Timofey Mozgov, the sense of hopelessness and the belief that the Lakers’ future has been sacrificed to appease one player are palpable.

Using the Bryant era as a guide, the Lakers might not be contenders until at least 2028, eight years after their bubble championship and 18 years after their last full-season title. While it will be thrilling to watch James, who turns 40 in December, finish his career in a Lakers uniform, it’s reminiscent of Bryant’s final days, which were also celebrated but ultimately fruitless.

During Bryant’s twilight years, the Lakers struggled to attract top free agents to a team dominated by his presence. They lacked a coherent plan, failed to establish a winning culture, and consistently missed opportunities. This led to numerous missteps, such as failing to lure Carmelo Anthony away from New York and botching a meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge so badly that a second meeting was necessary.

The pattern of mortgaging the future for the present is unsettling for Lakers fans. The recent deal with James could result in similar struggles, as the team may find it difficult to rebuild or attract new talent while heavily investing in an aging superstar. The Lakers’ history of prioritizing star power over long-term success seems to be repeating itself, with potentially dire consequences for their competitive standing.

In summary, while LeBron James’ new contract extension will ensure he retires as a Laker, it echoes the problematic final years of Kobe Bryant’s career. The Lakers are once again sacrificing future success for short-term appeal, risking another prolonged period of mediocrity and missed opportunities.