Lakers Star LeBron James Is Facing Backlash After Marcus Smart's Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to straddle the fence between building for a future with Luka Dončić and trying to win now with a core of Dončić and LeBron James. Also caught in the middle is 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht.

Smart signed a two-year deal with the Lakers, but he actually wanted to sign with another Western Conference team initially. Luka Doncic helped change his mind to help bring him to LA. More news: LeBron James Reportedly Wanted to Join Mavericks, Team Up With Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis

The Lakers have reportedly waived guards Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin in order to be able to sign Marcus Smart once Smart clears waivers.

The Washington Wizards turned out to be the biggest losers of Marcus Smart's signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

D espite LeBron James picking up his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season, there's never been more speculation surrounding his status with the team. That's in part because no new contract was negotiated this summer to keep him there past this upcoming season,

Though talks of LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason have seemingly cooled down, his future is still in question heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly planning for five-team trade deal, which intends to restructure the Lakers' roster and bring LeBron James back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.