Will LeBron Play Hardball With the Lakers? Why His $ Is About Much More than LeBron

It's a reflection of LeBron's still-strong influence on the league that four days into the offseason for the Lakers, the "will James return" discourse is already in overrdrive. And it reflects the significant pressure under which Rob Pelinka will operate this summer, because it's an important part of an offeason that internally and externally is expected to be one of significant progress.  Maybe not enough to catch the Thunder and Spurs atop the West, but one where the path to another title for Luka is a lot more clear.  So Brian Windhorst of ESPN laid out some interesting context Thursday, noting that LeBron doesn't see himself as some sort of legacy player or a novelty act. While he gets the landscape broadly, he also made an All-Star team this year, and expects to be treated, if not paid, like one.  So how do the Lakers handle it? How can they build the requisite amount of trust in an offseason that will probably require the Lakers to renounce LeBron's rights (or sign him quickly) in order to make the rest of the offseason work? Like, what do they do about Rui Hachimura? Because LeBron's salary impacts what the Lakers can pay Rui. And what about Austin Reaves? And anyone else that they want to add in order to make longer-term improvements than LeBron can provide, definitionally.  But next year is part of Luka's prime, and they can't just let talent walk.  It's a pickle!    HOSTS: Andy and Brian kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Will LeBron play hardball with the Lakers?    SEGMENT 2: Why LeBron isn't just about LeBron.    SEGMENT 3: LeBron is a big impediment in a narrow road to improvement.    Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon   KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.   DoorDashFrom tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.DoorDash. In your bag all season long.   Rocket MoneyLet Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join athttps://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON.   WayfairHead to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.    Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.