Photo by Luke Hales/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Lakers are being called the clear losers in LeBron James free agency saga this offseason.Following an eight-season run, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers went their separate ways this offseason.What followed was a few weeks of massive rumors, but James ultimately joined the Philadelphia 76ers to boost his chances of winning a fifth NBA Championship of his career.With the dust settled, NBA analyst Nick Wright assessed the entire saga and came up with a clear loser from it.Photo by Bryan Anselm For The Washington Post via Getty ImagesNick Wright reminds the LA Lakers that LeBron James saved the franchiseWhen James joined the Lakers in 2018, the organization was in a rebuilding phase post the Kobe Bryant era. As a result, every major NBA star was hesitant to join the Purple and Gold. However, James decided to risk it all and signed with the Lakers.Speaking of James split with the Lakers, the analyst reminded the franchise of the 4x NBA champions decision and how they should be forever indebted to him.Far and away, the biggest loser of this whole thing is the Lakers. LeBron James saved the d___ franchise.That team telling everyone who would listen what a pain in the a__ LeBron is led to a scenario where LeBron James was willing to play for the league minimum, but not for them, Wright said.Every single move that the Lakers made this offseason you could have done all of that and still brought LeBron back. Instead, they couldnt wait for the LeBron James era to be over, Wright added.Considering that James is still an All-NBA caliber player and signed a veterans minimum deal with the 76ers shows that he was willing to take a massive pay cut.Unfortunately, the Lakers werent willing to do that for James in favor of Luka Doncic taking over the team asap. Fans will find out which side made the correct decision after the conclusion of the 2026-27 NBA season.Read more:Colin Cowherd claims LeBron James has bring it on mentality compared to Michael JordanMax Kellerman claims 41-year-old LeBron James was better than Karl Malone ever was in his lifeBam Adebayo addresses relationship with LeBron James after Miami Heat snub