LeBron James’ squad was kicked out of the first round of the NBA playoffs 4-1 the year before Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison gifted the Lakers a generational talent.

With a somewhat in-shape Doncic suddenly wearing No. 77 for the famous purple and gold this season, LA was again kicked out of the first round after a 4-1 humbling.

The King couldn’t compete with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in 2023-24.

The King was too old, too slow and too beat up to hang with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024-25.

For 99.99 percent of the NBA, retirement at 40 would be the easy answer.

For the in NBA history, there’s only one answer.

Form another hardwood super team and make one more run for the pinnacle of The Association, with Bronny James growing on the bench and a two-time MVP doing the majority of Los Angeles’ heavy lifting.

An aging king can be the third-best player on the Lakers next season, and L.A. can win its 18th world championship – if James can privately convince the Greek Freak that purple and gold are his best colors.

Giannis Antetokounmpo might not know it yet, but he doesn’t have an NBA future in small-market Milwaukee.

Damian Lillard was a total bust after breaking out of Portland.

The Bucks are worse than the Lakers in the spring of 2025, and currently have more in common with the draft lottery than 16 postseason wins.

Money, of course, is the biggest obstacle blocking the NBA’s greatest super team since Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and The King were sharing the same ball in Miami.

Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Bucks in October 2023.

One of the most talented players in NBA history eliminated sources and media leaks, breaking the big news himself on social media.

Less than 20 months later, Lillard is staring at a lost year, Khris Middleton plays for one of the worst teams in the NBA, and Milwaukee has been kicked out of the first round by the mean ol’ Indiana Pacers in back-to-back seasons.

Meanwhile in La La Land, James is contemplating retirement, again.

“Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight,” James tweeted.

“Hate to miss an historical event!”

Failing to get out of the first round with Doncic as his Los Angeles teammate is an even bigger sin.

Adding a no-name center to an already iffy roster won’t do anything for the Lakers next year.

It’s on The King to pull a Tom Brady – the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers version – and sell Antetokounmpo on the basketball joys of Los Angeles.

NFL stars were drawn to Brady’s superstar magnet — on a team that superstars used to intentionally avoid — while the GOAT of football took less cash up front to win it all in the future.

James doesn’t need anymore money — when your net worth is $1.2 billion, another ring is the only new possession that matters.

But he’s not winning another championship as-is, and his 40-year-old self can’t carry the Lakers out of the first round.

Stephen Curry’s latest injury is a painful reminder that the biggest names in the NBA are nearing the end.

“He’s obviously crushed,” said Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, referring to Curry’s hamstring injury.

Doncic, The King and the Greek Freak would be must-see TV for all 82 games.

All James has to do is whisper the right words in Antetokounmpo’s ear, then leave the rest of the magic to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.

Three superstars would have 35 combined All-Star appearances and be staring at a total payday of more than $150 million next season.

The Lakers have the draft picks, banners, TV power and international fanbase to take Antetokounmpo to the next level.

Los Angeles would have Showtime 2.0 in 2025, and James would finally enter a new season believing that his Lakers can make it out of the first round.