​  For nearly a quarter of a century, betting against LeBron James has rarely ended well. Even at 41, he continues to shoulder championship dreams, while amplifying his longevity. Now, amid his impending off-season decision, the Lakers made their first major move this summer. Suddenly, questions surrounding Bron’s future have intensified.The LA side has rewarded Austin Reaves with a 4-year, $185 million max extension, while their superstar forward remains unsigned. With chatter about the probable James trade already looming in rumor city, the extension only pushed it further. And the sequence prompted a Stephen A. Smith intervention. Speaking on The Stephen A. Smith Show, the veteran analyst was left to wonder whether the legacy franchise had lost its sight.“Lakers ain’t winning sh*t. Just gonna get that out of the way right now. We’re gonna start up this show by keeping it a buck. They ain’t winning a damn thing. OK?” Smith said. “Unless they keep LeBron James.”However, Smith didn’t divert the frustration toward Austin Reaves. Although many criticized the deal, highlighting AR’s lack of ‌All-Star and All-NBA selections, Smith found it deserving. He argued that the 27-year-old deserved every bit of the new deal, solely because of his development into one of the most dependable offensive options.“He’s earned it. He deserves it. I mean, there was a time this year when he was averaging damn near 30,” SAS said. “Averaging damn near 30 because that’s what he brings to the table. That’s how he matters.”Despite a career-low 51-game appearance, the 2025-26 season was indeed a defining year for AR. He produced a career-best 23.3 ppg. Most importantly, he demonstrated elite scoring early in the season, averaging 32.0 ppg in October and 26.9 ppg in November.Nevertheless, paying Reaves what he deserves doesn’t solve the Lakers’ concern, according to Smith. He acknowledged that the backcourt duo, Luka Doncic and AR, can score against anyone. But at the same time, he questioned whether the pair could win a ring for the franchise.“They can score on anybody. We know that. They can’t stop a cold. They can’t stop a cold. And the only way this works is if you find a way to keep LeBron James,” Smith said. “Mr. 41 years of age, approaching 42, approaching his 24th season in the NBA, still one of the greatest players in the world. Let’s stop acting like we don’t know.”Even in his 23rd season, moving away from a primary offensive role, the superstar averaged 20.9 ppg, 7.2 apg, and 6.1 rpg in 60 games. Yet when the injuries forced the team to lean on him, James showed up, reminding everyone that he’s a dependable star. Bron anchored the team in its first-round victory over the physically dominant Rockets.“Who the hell was available in the playoffs? That was LeBron James. There were some games that A      ​Read More