Los Angeles Lakers: Three reasons why Lakers should not pursue LeBron James

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Head coach Luke Walton (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson talk courtside during the team's semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League against the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Head coach Luke Walton (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson talk courtside during the team's semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League against the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LeBron James’ age

Just a couple of months after the start of the 2018 season LeBron James will turn 34. Thus far, James has proved people wrong who say that he’s going to slow down. So counting him out now doesn’t make sense. The man is a machine and he spends plenty of time, and money, keeping his body in peak shape in the offseason. Staying in shape is an obsession of his so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to him physically.

But father time is undefeated and eventually he will wear down. If the Lakers sign him going into his 16th season at 34 years old, chances are they’re not going to get the LeBron from his last three seasons with the Cavaliers.

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What will end up happening is a team wanting to ride the LeBron wave back to contention will be closer to carrying LeBron back to contention.

James will likely need rest and rely heavily on the young legs of L.A.’s core to get to the playoffs. Of course that’s when LeBron turns it on, and the only thing that matters in the end, but the Lakers should strongly consider if James’ motor will flip on in two years as easily as it has in the last three.

Signing LeBron will be a gamble. He’ll keep himself in the best shape as possible but he’ll still be at the end of his prime. Add to that the fact he has more mileage on his legs than other players his age because he’s been to seven straight Finals, and the probability of James returning L.A. to glory gets significantly lower.

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