The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for their first season without LeBron James on the roster since 2018.
James decided to leave the Lakers a few weeks ago and will soon decide on his next team in free agency.
The Lakers front office has already spent the money they have saved on several new signings, such as Walker Kessler.
However, history suggests they could struggle without James next season, even with Luka Doncic.
NBA Analysis Network looks at how LeBron’s previous teams fared after he left compared to his final season.
How LeBron James’ former teams performed the season after he left
Los Angeles Lakers fans will not enjoy reading what happened after LeBron James left his previous teams.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won 61 games and reached the Eastern Conference semi-finals in the 2009-10 season.
The Cavs then won just 19 games and missed the playoffs in the following four seasons until LeBron returned in 2014.
| Team | Record | Playoff result | Team | Record | Playoff result |
| 2009–10 Cavaliers | 61–21 | Lost in Eastern Conference Semifinals | 2010–11 Cavaliers | 19–63 | Missed playoffs |
| 2013–14 Heat | 54–28 | Lost in NBA Finals | 2014–15 Heat | 37–45 | Missed playoffs |
| 2017–18 Cavaliers | 50–32 | Lost in NBA Finals | 2018–19 Cavaliers | 19–63 | Missed playoffs |
| 2025–26 Lakers | 53-29 | Lost in Western Conference Semifinals | 2026-27 Lakers | TBD | TBD |
In James’ final year with the Miami Heat, they won 54 games and lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
The Heat finished the next season with a 37-45 record and missed the playoffs, highlighting James’ impact on the team.
Having won a championship in his second stint with the Cavaliers, James left them again in 2018 to join the LA Lakers.
They immediately went from playing in the NBA Finals to losing 63 out of 82 games and finishing 14th in the East.
Predicting LA Lakers 2026-27 season without LeBron James
The Lakers are in a different position than LeBron James’ previous teams when he left them, as they have Luka Doncic.
The 27-year-old will enjoy being the main man in James’ absence and should average around 35 points per game.
With Austin Reaves as the second option and Walker Kessler in the paint, the Lakers will certainly be competitive in the West.
However, it seems unlikely that they will match their 53-win record without James; 45 to 50 wins could be more realistic.
The Lakers will not only miss LeBron’s ability on the court but also his leadership and basketball intelligence.
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