As the end of NBA All-Star Weekend approached, perhaps the top storyline around the league was the comments by LeBron James during his media availability. His comments were portrayed as being potential signs that he could be pondering an exit from the Los Angeles Lakers.
After the Los Angeles Lakers’ 105-102 loss to the LA Clippers on Friday, James made it a point to reaffirm his commitment to the franchise—stating “I’m here” and he sees himself playing in a Lakers uniform “as long as I can play.”
“This is a franchise I see myself being with. I’m here. I’m here,” James said. “I see myself being with the purple and gold as long as I can play.”
There was speculation about James’ potential desire to re-join the Cleveland Cavaliers before the end of his NBA career at some point after saying “the door’s not closed” on that possibility. James tried to correct the record on that by saying the context of that conversation was about signing a one-day contract with the Cavs to retire as a member of the franchise.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals LeBron James’ Plans For ‘Foreseeable Future’
There was also much made about James’ desire to play with his son “Bronny” before retires after stating he’d do “whatever it takes” to make it happen. In classic “King James” fashion, he expressed how he “would love to do that” but that “doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with this franchise.”
“I also have a goal that, if it’s possible — I don’t even know if it’s possible — that if I can play with my son, I would love to do that,” James said. “Is that, like, something that any man shouldn’t want that in life? That’s like the coolest thing that could possibly happen. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with this franchise.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals LeBron James’ Plans For ‘Foreseeable Future’
Part of the problem with the situation as a whole is it’s impossible to give definitive statements about the future since nobody knows how it will play out. Many expected the Lakers to be a title contender in the Western Conference but they’ve significantly underachieved. If that continues, is James really going to stay?
Entering the next point, James tried to clear the air about the control he has on the Lakers’ personnel decisions by staying “I don’t push the buttons.” It’s been well documented that his say swayed the team from finalizing a trade with the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield in favor of acquiring Russell Westbrook.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals LeBron James’ Plans For ‘Foreseeable Future’
“I don’t push the buttons,” James said. “They ask for my opinion, and I voice my opinion and what I believe. But I don’t press any buttons. That’s what our front office is for, and that’s what our leadership group is for.
“I don’t press no buttons. So we can state that right now.”
While James may not be the one finalizing the trade, it’s a bit disingenuous to distance himself from what the Los Angeles Lakers have done with their roster. He wanted Russell Westbrook and now the team is grid-locked with arguably no outlook to win a championship anymore with the current configuration of this group.
The patience LeBron James has will be tested in the final stage of his NBA career. Will he stick around with the Lakers if it becomes blatantly obvious that a title is not happening? Would he depart as a free agent or become the next superstar to angle for a trade? Or, could the Lakers be willing to make a drastic change to overhaul the roster?
