When four-time MVP LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million extension in August, the Los Angeles Lakers made a promise to supply him with the necessary pieces to compete for a championship throughout the duration of his tenure.

At the start of training camp, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said he’s responsible for being the "caretaker of LeBron’s legacy."

Almost a month into the 2022-23 NBA season, the current roster falls well short of "caretaker" status, and the Lakers' avenues to improvement are bleak.

After dropping a fourth consecutive contest and plunging to 2-9 on the season following a 114-101 loss to the Clippers (7-5) on Wednesday night, the Lakers' 11-game sample size is revealing enough to warrant drastic changes.

The organization is facing a critical decision in the James era, a decision that could prompt key players to sour on the direction of the franchise, league sources tell Bleacher Report. But there is still time for the Lakers to be active on the trade market as they prepare for a four-game homestand.

The question often discussed in Lakers’ headquarters nowadays is whether they should go all-in expeditiously on revamping the roster around James and Anthony Davis, or are they better served to postpone wholesale changes until the end of the season?

Lacking young, enticing assets and draft capital to strengthen the roster, the Lakers are only armed with two first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, respectively.

James, who turns 38 next month and is in Year 20 of his NBA career, does not want to waste a season of his high-level playing days in hopes of incoming reinforcements for the 2023-24 campaign, sources say. Other core players on the roster would likewise prefer those picks to be used to elevate this year’s team.