Just a week or two ago, the Los Angeles Lakers' pipe dream was a terrifying trio of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James.

It wasn't an impossible plan considering that George has long been vocal about his interest in playing for his hometown team (and it's the reason why he was promptly shipped by Larry Bird to the Oklahoma City Thunder) and Leonard's season-long internal feud with the San Antonio Spurs has reached fever pitch with a trade likely to happen. Only James' intentions were harder to read — despite the Lakers rumors being persistent, their roster wasn't exactly contender material.

Fast forward to the present: “Playoff P” has returned to OKC, James has committed to the Lakers, and Leonard is still in San Antonio.

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While the Lakers have added a few intriguing pieces immediately after nabbing James, the team is still in constant communication with the Spurs in putting together a package that doesn't involve prized rookie Kyle Kuzma.

There's no pressure for the Lakers brass to make a move for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and they have James' blessing too to stand pat (for now at least), per ESPN‘s Zach Lowe.

But LeBron is a Laker, and he is not pressuring L.A. to acquire a second star now, per sources familiar with his thinking. His decision to come alone for three guaranteed seasons speaks for itself. He knows Ingram has at least borderline All-Star potential, and that the 2019 free-agency class is loaded beyond Leonard. He has faith in the combined powers of his supernova talent and the Lakers brand.

His patience will have limits. But reading between the lines, the Lakers probably have the next calendar year before LeBron applies urgent pressure.