The Los Angeles Lakers are not committing over $153 million to acquire LeBron James this summer just to make him a bench ornament. Still, at the height of his athletic prowess, James is far from being a grizzled veteran whose main role on the team is to provide wise words in the locker room and clap from the end of the bench. The Lakers, just like in James’ previous itineraries, will go as far as the four-time MVP will take them.

But just to be clear on James’ status next season for the Lakers, the team’s general manager, Rob Pelinka, went out of his way with the top candidate for the most obvious statement of the year, saying that LeBron James is definitely going to be a starter next season. More interestedly, per Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet, Pelinka added that the other four starting spots are up in the air.

Four Laker starting spots are up for grabs.

Said Rob Pelinka: “We’re really excited about camp this year because Luke (Walton) has decided… we’re going to have an incredibly competitive camp and all the spots are going to be open spots, putting aside LeBron James, obviously.”

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James is likely going to occupy either of the starting forward slots, so one of Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram will see their minutes decline next season.

James is coming off arguably his best season since entering the NBA in 2003. He averaged 27.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting from the field, 8.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 36.9 minutes while playing in all 82 games in the regular season for the first time in his career.