LeBron joked about Anthony Davis when asked about the Lakers’ roster.

The Lakers didn’t exactly “Unleash Joy” as their playoff slogan promised, but LeBron James still found a reason to smile after the team’s season-ending loss on Wednesday. When asked about the Lakers playing much of the season — and the playoff series against the Timberwolves — without a true center, LeBron avoided giving a direct answer, steering clear of playing “LeGM.” Instead, he made a lighthearted joke that pointed to a deeper situation.

The moment was a nod to Anthony Davis’ earlier comments in an interview with Shams Charania, where Davis said the Lakers needed another center. Just a week later, Davis was traded to Dallas in a blockbuster deal for Luka Dončić. The timing was so strange that it felt like something out of a workplace sitcom — like watching a coworker get moved after publicly voicing concerns, making you think twice before speaking up yourself.

Of course, Davis’ trade wasn’t solely due to that comment, but the sequence of events gave it comedic timing, which LeBron clearly remembered. His playful approach to the situation was refreshing, especially given the frustrating end to the season. LeBron has certainly shown much less patience in past post-exit interviews.

Still, there’s a serious issue at the heart of the joke. The Lakers struggled mightily in the paint and on the boards against Minnesota. That gap was glaring, and it’s something the front office will need to fix this offseason. Finding a reliable big man will be a top priority for the Lakers moving forward.