LeBron James might not know where he’s headed next season, but Rob Pelinka just dropped a major clue: the Lakers are prepared to pay whatever it takes to keep him.

“I think LeBron’s going to have high expectations for the roster,” Pelinka said Thursday. “And we’re going to do everything we can to meet those.”

Now, on the surface, that just sounds like a front office exec doing PR clean-up after getting bounced in the first round. But let’s be real — if you squint at Pelinka’s words (and peek at the cap sheet), this is bigger than just vague offseason talk. Word around the league is Bron’s not giving the Lakers a hometown discount. And Pelinka — newly promoted and freshly humbled — doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to negotiate.

Translation? If King James wants the bag, the crown jewels, and a couple of extra jewels on the side, Rob Pelinka’s probably already polishing them.

Big Man Blues: Lakers’ Frontcourt Woes and the Search for a Rim Protector

That starts with the frontcourt. In the Lakers’ season-ending Game 5 loss to Minnesota, Rudy Gobert absolutely cooked L.A.’s defense: 27 points, 24 rebounds, and two blocks. The Timberwolves shot an absurd 90.9% at the rim, and the Lakers had no real bigs to push back.

“Uh, no comment,” LeBron James said with a smile when asked about the frontcourt situation. “I’d never say that, because my guy AD said what he needed, and then he was gone the following week, so I’ve got no comment.”

Front office translation: get me some size, or get me gone.

Rob Pelinka heard it loud and clear. He told reporters the team is hunting for a lob threat, rim protector, and maybe even someone who can shoot it a bit. Enter the shortlist from last season: Myles Turner, Brook Lopez, Nic Claxton, Clint Capela, and Robert Williams III.

Now, Lopez is a free agent again. Turner might be gettable if the Pacers want to shake things up. And sources say the Lakers have already revisited those convos.

Only problem? The Lakers are broke.

Creative Accounting: Pelinka’s Cap-Space Puzzle and Plan B Centers

The Lakers’ financial wiggle room is tight. Like, can’t-skip-dessert-on-a-budget tight. They’ve only got the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception to play with — unless they offload some salary to unlock the bigger $12 million non-taxpayer MLE. That means trades or cap gymnastics are on the table. Again.

So who fits in that tricky price range?

Clint Capela’s name keeps popping up. The dude is a walking double-double, swats shots for fun, and would give L.A. the rim protection they’ve lacked since… honestly, Bubble Dwight? Capela’s also on an expiring deal, which makes him an easy flip if things go sideways.

Then there’s Robert Williams III. When healthy (big if), he’s an All-Defensive type and a menace in the paint. Injuries have slowed him down, but his ceiling is way higher than most guys available in this price range. High risk, high reward.

And oh — remember Mark Williams? Yeah, the Hornets’ center who almost got traded to L.A. at the deadline. That deal fell apart due to injury concerns. Guess who’s been hooping since he came back? Thirteen double-doubles. And he wasn’t shy throwing shade after the Lakers got bounced. The one that got away is out here grinning.

Through all this, one thing’s clear: Rob Pelinka’s not bluffing. If Bron’s staying, the roster’s getting a facelift. Whether it’s Capela, Williams, or a surprise name from left field, expect the Lakers to swing big. Because “running it back” is off the table.

This is win-now — or wave goodbye.