Everything was at stake for the Los Angeles Lakers, but as free agency started Monday, the organization seemed stuck in neutral — if not moving backward in reverse.In no way would the Lakers be more talented in 2026, not when LeBron James and his representatives informed Los Angeles’ front office and the rest of the league he would be playing a 24th season for, essentially, anyone but the team he just spent eight seasons with. They weren’t going to be more physical on the perimeter, where Marcus Smart was always willing to punch first because “the toughest team sets the rules,” as he frequently said.The Lakers weren’t going to have the same kind of “if he shoots it, it’s going in” threat from 3 after Luke Kennard signed with the Phoenix Suns.And again — they were losing LeBron James.LeBron James.But though the Lakers’ fanbase winced, the franchise pushed forward with its plan — one more grounded in reality than people outside the organization could’ve imagined … even if day one was a total dud.“We weren’t surprised,” one team source told The Athletic, granted anonymity to freely discuss the Lakers’ offseason moves.Even if it appeared otherwise, the Lakers had a strategy — albeit a tricky one — but a strategy nonetheless. Its results spewed from a transactional firehose Tuesday morning.Top 5 LeBron Lakers MomentsThe first (and most pivotal example) was a blockbuster trade for 24-year-old rim protector Walker Kessler — the Lakers’ summer centerpiece, figuratively and literally. Long-expected deals for Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton materialized over the ensuing days.In total, the Lakers committed over $262 million in contracts for players with a combined 81 career playoff points scored. James has scored more than 100 times more postseason points by himself. The team, according to league sources who were granted anonymity to freely discuss the Lakers’ offseason moves, is still seeking a young wing to help its perimeter defense. A high-upside swing receiving significant consideration, per league sources, is former Golden State Warrior and Atlanta Hawk Jonathan Kuminga, whose $24.3 million team option was recently declined by Atlanta.