The Los Angeles Lakers have completely changed their trajectory by winning 12 of their last 13 games (nine straight), going from hanging onto the No. 6 seed for dear life to having a 2.5-game lead in the No. 3 spot with 11 games left in the regular season. An overlooked part of their run is what it could mean for LeBron James' future with the organization.
The 41-year-old superstar has been a key part of the turnaround, embracing his role as the third option. As Sam Amick of The Athletic highlighted, the past few weeks could serve as a turning point (subscription required):
"All of a sudden, with James putting on a selfless and spectacular show as the game’s best third option, it’s fair to wonder if the notion of him remaining a Laker beyond this season might be a viable option again.