Still playing at an exceptional level despite his 38 years but playing in a Lakers team not really equipped to play the leading roles, LeBron James has shown several signs of frustration recently. So much so that some imagine him leaving the City of Angels for the end of his career. But is this scenario really realistic?
“I don’t want to end my career playing at this level, collectively.”
That’s verbatim what LeBron James said at the end of December. after a new defeat of the Lakers against the Heat, defeat plunging the Los Angeles team to a poor record of 14 wins for 21 losses. If LA has managed to bounce back since (five wins in six games) under the impetus of the King’s XXL performances, this statement clearly remains relevant in the City of Angels. LeBron wants to evolve in a competitive team to finish his career and still expects Rob Pelinka – the general manager of the Lakers – that he surrounds him in a more serious way.
For the moment, Pelinka is not moving, he who still refuses to swing his picks from the first round of Draft 2027 and 2029 for something other than a star. The plan for the Lakers would instead be to wait for the Free Agency 2023, where big names like Kyrie Irving and Draymond Green could be available and where Los Angeles will have far more flexibility to recruit. A probably wiser strategy when you look at the overall situation of the Lakers, but a strategy that does not go in the direction of LeBron, who does not want to sacrifice any season at the age of 38.
So, can we imagine James leaving via a transfer request or in 2024 when he will potentially be a free agent?
If we are to believe the latest rumors in the NBA, the scenario remains unlikely for the moment. According to insiders atESPN Zach Lowe and Dave McMenamin (who covers the Lakers and recently interviewed LeBron), James ‘would still want to finish his career at the Lakers’, and his recent comments are said to be mainly a way to put pressure on Rob Pelinka to move on. That doesn’t mean the King can’t change his mind if things don’t work out, but that’s not it. LeBron loves living in LA, he has been comfortably settled there since his arrival in 2018, and is in the ideal place to continue to grow his huge business off the court. So it will probably take more than another disappointing season to get him out of the City of Angels.
ICYMI. LeBron James Believed to Still Want to Finish Career With Lakers – Hoops Wire https://t.co/s01RcnK2iq
— Dude Sam (@DudeHoops) January 12, 2023
Now there always remains the Bronny James setting. As we know, one of the King’s last major goals is to play with his son in the NBA for a year. Can this father-son reunion take place in Los Angeles? Will it be done elsewhere if Bronny is drafted by a franchise other than the Lakers? Only the future can answer these questions.
“If Bronny James ends up at the Lakers and if the Lakers go to the playoffs every year, I think that’s enough for him to finish his career in Los Angeles. It’s not the title or anything. But LeBron at least wants to play on a competitive team. This is the breaking point.”
– Dave McMenamin (ESPN)
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Source texte : The Lowe Post