Paul Pierce thinks the Lakers should eye Donovan Mitchell in order to keep LeBron James in L.A.

Following their elimination from the 2024 playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, speculations have arisen about whether LeBron James has donned the Los Angeles Lakers jersey for the last time.

According to Paul Pierce , the likelihood of The King returning to Hollywood is high. Apart from pointing out that the four-time MVP has no reason to relocate, Pierce also mentioned how joining another superteam at this stage of his career could hamper LBJ's legacy.

"He'll be back. If the Lakers are smart, they'll give him a new year 3-year deal. He's playing at a high level… his family is uprooted here, his business is out here." Pierce said on Undisputed. "Will he entertain going somewhere else? I don't think so."

Pierce thinks the Lakers need to lure Donovan to keep LeBron interested

The disappointing conclusion to their 2023-24 season underscores the need for the Purple and Gold to make changes beyond head coach Darvin Ham to maximize their championship potential.

According to ‘The Truth,’ the crucial step to moving forward is acquiring Donovan Mitchell at any cost, which will ultimately boost their championship prowess and rekindle James’ interest.

"If I'm the Lakers GM, you know who I will target… Donovan Mitchell!... Will be the perfect fit," Pierce added. "Now you have a young Donovan Mitchell, you can pair with Anthony Davis, who needs to be No. 2 guy on a championship team. And Donovan Mitchell would take so much pressure off LeBron if you gonna give him three years. Now your window is also open."

As the Lakers grapple with various decisions, such as whether to retain D'Angelo Russell and other supporting cast members, their primary focus must be on re-signing LeBron James. Furthermore, as Paul aptly emphasized, acquiring 'Spida' could effectively address their offensive voids and make sure they possess enough scoring power to hang with the big dogs in the Western Conference.

Do the Lakers need to improve their roster significantly?

Pierce isn’t the sole voice recognizing the Lakers' urgency to add another star, as Magic Johnson has echoed similar sentiments. According to the three-time MVP, for the Purple and Gold to stand amongst the other Western Conference elites, they must integrate younger stars into their lineup, thereby lessening the burden on a soon-to-be 40-year-old James.

Expect significant changes within the Lakers organization and team this summer. It's safe to say that the only way to entice the 20-time All-Star is to perhaps allow him to share the stage with his firstborn and construct a more formidable and younger roster around him.

Related: "I'm not going to answer that" - LeBron James leaves fans guessing about his Lakers future