Recent Lakers rumors are that LeBron James will reportedly not try and force a trade this summer despite the dysfunction.
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently amid one of their most brutal starts to an offseason in their history. While the hiring of their next head coach, Frank Vogel, to a reported three-year deal surely helped calm the waters somewhat, the team remains in a weird place.
The Lakers still do not have a replacement for Magic Johnson. Additionally, who honestly knows what owner Jeanie Buss is up to. She is so quiet when it comes to the basketball side of the Lakers to where it makes one wonder if she is even the best fit for the position she inherited from her father.
Moreover, many folks to this day likewise wonder if general manager Rob Pelinka should be in the position he is in. Few (if any) apparently like the guy, which does not bode well for a team looking to make significant moves this summer. Nonetheless, it is fair to argue Pelinka deserves some props for getting Vogel to represent LA on the sidelines.
Factors such as these and more have caused many to speculate what direction the team should head in. In fact, the Lakers’ precarious state has resulted in some people believing they should trade LeBron James.
The thought of that alone sounds alarming. James is still one of the NBA’s best players, and his removal from the Lakers would once again make them irrelevant.
If the Lakers were to seriously consider this, judging how valuable James is would be a challenge in itself. Regardless of a hypothetical haul they were to get in return, many would probably be curious if the Lakers got enough back for their star.
Thus, the idea of trading James seems nonsensical. However, it is another can of worms altogether when this is flipped around. Would LeBron himself ponder the idea of leaving Los Angeles to chase championships?
A recent report from Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report exhibits how weird the notion is. Originally via ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Conway’s report alleges that LBJ does not plan on demanding a trade this summer.
"“Jalen Rose said the same thing myself and even Max Kellerman said. [Rose said] ‘He should ask for a trade,'” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on Monday’s Get Up. “In other words, we don’t know. We don’t believe that’s what LeBron James will do. Matter of fact, I’m told it’s not what he will do.“I’m certainly told…the Lakers will not trade him either, even though there’s been people in Hollywood, not basketball people, but people in Hollywood in Jeanie Buss’ ear telling her, ‘Get rid of him. Trade him. Just rebuild because ya’ll ain’t going anywhere anyway.’ But again, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so you could conceivably move him. That’s not something they’re going to do. It’s not something he’s thinking about doing.”"
In all sincerity, James is probably not incredibly happy with how his first year went in Los Angeles. In having been to eight straight NBA Finals prior to this year, him being at home right now is a huge change of pace for the three-time champ. He is used to winning, so one cannot contend he is feeling great at the moment.
Let’s not totally forget about Magic, either. When Johnson left the Lakers out of the blue, many were puzzled by the decision. James was among that group and felt rather blindsided by it.
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Ergo, one cannot truly predict where James’ mind is at. Even supposing that, it is again key to remember that he is the type of guy that is in it to win it. Accordingly, via what Conway articulates, it would be strange for the superstar to go to a team that would have to gut so much depth just to get him. He would have to carry such a massive haul under that scenario, and, given that he is aging, it is doubtful he would want to be put in that position.
Now, the Lakers could trade him, in theory. The man does not have a no-trade clause in his contract. Regardless of that element, the Lakers’ reputation would die out if The King was moved. It would literally fade away wholeheartedly.
Not much is going for the Lakers these days. While that is valid, at least they still have one of the greatest players in hoops history. To lose James (for reasons like ticket sales alone) would be unthinkable.
Conway goes on to bring up one more crucial thing about the subject. The Lakers are already going through muddy waters. Letting James go “is not the way to engender faith.” Heck, there would be an even worse protest outside of Staples Center. That would not be a good look for the franchise.
Frankly, it would not be the best look for James, either. He knew what he was getting himself into last summer. That being said, demanding a trade would make it appear as if he is essentially quitting on the Lakers.
He was mad at Magic for doing that a little over a month back. So, if he followed suit, he would look ten times worse and would be chastised.
The Lakers are not in a great spot right now—that is for sure. Yet James is part of what they have going for them. When he is full healthy, he can ball out.
Thus, it is safe to assume James and the Lakers will give this experiment another try in 2019-2020. Hopefully year two will breed better results.