LeBron James stepped out in shoes as dazzling and golden as the medal he would don for the third, and perhaps final, time in his illustrious career. At 39, James’s choice of footwear seemed symbolic, reflecting his ambition in the Olympics and his unwavering dedication to Team USA. He didn’t just show up to help his country win; he came to assert his dominance on the court, proving that even at his age, he remains the brightest star in basketball.

Despite being named All-NBA third team, I had doubts last season about whether James had lost a step. With significant investments tied up in him and Anthony Davis, I feared the Lakers were stuck with an aging roster destined for play-in purgatory as James’s career wound down. Perhaps the Lakers shared this sentiment, which might explain Rob Pelinka’s lack of action this offseason—no roster improvements for a team that finished seventh in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record.

However, James’s performance at the Olympics has sparked frustration with the Lakers’ front office. His dominance on the global stage, despite being less of a defender and requiring fewer games, highlights how underutilized his remaining prime years are. His physical prowess, passing, and game intelligence remain extraordinary, with no one able to stop him when he drives to the rim.

Watching him lead Team USA to gold at the Olympics, it’s clear James can still drive a team to an NBA title. On a squad of superstars, he stood out, taking charge when necessary. While Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum showed potential, they weren’t ready to take over. James was the anchor throughout the tournament, handling critical moments and ensuring victories against South Sudan, Germany, and Serbia, culminating in a decisive performance against France with 14 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists.

Despite the Lakers having a national treasure in James, their actions seem to fall short of maximizing his remaining elite years. The team appears content with selling tickets and letting time slip away rather than capitalizing on James’s still formidable talents. Given his continued excellence, it’s crucial for the Lakers to seize this opportunity—whether by trading draft picks or making other strategic moves—to make the most of James’s final great years.