The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new era led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who will look to help take the organization in the right direction. This will be the duo’s first season without LeBron James.

Last season was an interesting one, as it seemed like none of the Lakers’ main players could stay healthy at the same time. Once free agency began, it quickly became clear that James was gone.

“LeBron James will return for an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA — but it won’t be with the Los Angeles Lakers. James has informed the Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday,” ESPN wrote.

James then proceeded to wait a month before deciding to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote. “James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania.”

Many are intrigued to see how Los Angeles performs without James for the first time. Lakers legend Derek Fisher recently offered a warning based on what has happened to other teams after James’ departure.

“You think about the few organizations where LeBron has been, you tell me where their record has gotten dramatically better after he left. So it’s not going to fall off that much because Luka is there. I think Luka and Austin Reaves are basically an all-star backcourt that you can roll out every night, and then Walker Kessler is a young developing almost all-starish type of big in terms of his elite defense and rebounding. So I think you have a chance. 45 to 50 wins, a lot of things are going to have to go right,” Fisher said.

It will not be easy for the Lakers, to say the least, but Fisher understands that teams typically do not improve immediately after James leaves. That could be especially true if Doncic and Reaves struggle to stay healthy.

Los Angeles is hoping to have a successful season without James, but as Fisher pointed out, history may not be on the Lakers’ side. There is no sugarcoating it: the team could reach 50 wins and remain a serious contender in the Western Conference, or it could barely surpass 40 victories.

The answers will come over the course of the season, but the Lakers’ first year without James in the Doncic era will be one of the most intriguing storylines in the NBA.

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