The basketball world can’t afford to see LeBron James exit unhappy, and that’s precisely what’s going to occur if he doesn’t work a commerce away from the Los Angeles Lakers.
On Wednesday afternoon, Lakers head coach JJ Redick informed reporters that James wasn’t with the group for private causes.
“LeBron just isn’t with the group proper now,” Redick stated after apply. “He is out for private causes, excused absence.”
James missed Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers with a foot damage. It was the primary sport he had missed all season.
However now he’s away from the group for private causes, and with the Lakers simply two video games above .500, holding onto the eighth seed within the Western Convention, it might be time for a change.
Keep in mind, regardless of drafting his son, Bronny James, within the second spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft, James was pissed off with the Lakers this offseason due to their incapability so as to add a 3rd famous person to pair alongside himself and Anthony Davis. He signed an extension however actually solely dedicated to the Lakers for yet another season.
James has performed 22 years within the league. On the finish of the month, he’ll flip 40 years outdated. There’s no denying that his days enjoying within the NBA are numbered.
There’s additionally no denying that he understands the interior workings of the NBA in contrast to any participant earlier than him. He’s oftentimes criticized for popularizing the superteam when he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Warmth. He has to know this Lakers squad just isn’t going anyplace, particularly in a Western Convention loaded with younger expertise.
He’s been identified to drive a factor or two, and now it’s time for him to drive his means out of Los Angeles and chase one other championship earlier than he calls it a profession.
When the information dropped about his absence from apply, NBA rumor mills instantly began cranking out commerce rumors. The place may his fourth group be?
The Golden State Warriors are a west coast vacation spot that will enable him to remain near his household based mostly in Los Angeles. They’re presently the No. 5 seed within the West and will enable James to truly contend for a championship.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are an alternative choice, as James has already returned house and performed the position of hero as soon as already, delivering a championship in 2016. He’s a lot older now, however so are the Cavs, who’ve the very best file within the NBA. This reunion would possibly simply make all of the sense on the earth.
No person is aware of for certain why James is away from the Lakers proper now. However it might undoubtedly be in his greatest curiosity to maneuver on from the Lakers. That is his seventh yr donning the purple and gold and has only one championship to point out for it with a bunch of early playoff exits, or worse, not making the postseason in any respect.
Nonetheless averaging 23 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds per sport, James has extra to present to the sport of basketball. He has achieved all the things there may be to perform, together with suiting up along with his son. That is fairly rattling particular.
It’s time to win that final championship ring and experience off into the sundown as the best ever.