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NBA insider suggests LeBron James is trying to play Lakers GM again

By Jerry Trotta

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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For better or worse, NBA superstars have more influence in roster construction and where they play/whom they play with than any other sport. Look no further than Kevin Durant reportedly wanting out of Brooklyn and circling the Suns and Heat, who finished first in their respective conferences last season, as his preferred destinations.

You could make the argument Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James laid the foundation for player empowerment when he joined forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat back in the summer of 2010.

Since then, the idea of forming a “super team” has become commonplace in the Association. Players serve as shadow general managers, advising executives whom they think would best help the team’s pursuit of a championship.

At this point in his career, James has more than earned the right to offer his two cents on whom he wants the Lakers to target. After LA’s train wreck of a season in 2021-21, however, LeBron the GM is on shaky ground with fans.

With that in mind, Lakers Nation probably won’t like hearing this report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst regarding the team’s pursuit of Kyrie Irving.

Is LeBron James trying to play Lakers general manager again?

Here’s what Windhorst said during the segment.

"I can’t articulate how little LeBron cares about the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. He could not care less about it. He wants to win tonight and Kyrie Irving gives him a chance to win tonight. We are in a moment right now where teams are pushing back against player empowerment. Now the Lakers are staring at this. Are they honestly going to push back on LeBron James if he’s sitting there with the pen ready to sign an extension making sure the Lakers remain highly relevant and a championship contender for the next two years?"

Windhorst, who’s currently a hero amongst NBA Twitter after he essentially predicted the blockbuster Rudy Gobert-Timberwolves trade, sure makes it seem like the Lakers are in no rush to acquire Irving from the Nets. With Kyrie clearly wanting out, Brooklyn has lost any leverage it had over the star point guard.

Therefore, the Lakers can afford to play the waiting game and see if Irving’s price tag becomes cheaper. But will LeBron allow them to do that? This isn’t necessarily James being in Rob Pelinka’s ear telling the longtime general manager to do whatever it takes to get Irving to the Lakers, but it’s definitely toeing the line.

Entering the final year of his contract in 2022-23, which will pay him nearly $44.5 million, what other choice will Pelinka have but to pursue Irving hot and heavy if James signs for an additional two years? Turn his nose up at the first- or second-greatest NBA player of all time? Or acquire the point guard, who, for all of his baggage, won a ring alongside James once upon a time in Cleveland?

What do you think, Lakers fans? Should Pelinka and Co. acquiesce to LeBron supposedly strong-arming the team’s pursuit of Kyrie? Would Irving’s on- and off-court antics be worth the price of admission? Or should LeBron back off and let LA’s executives do their job?