Summer League: LeBron and Russ sit worlds apart, something or nothing?

Let the overreactions, speculation, and hot takes begin! LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were spotted at Los Angeles Lakers Summer League action in Las Vegas this weekend. Why is this a story you ask? They sat on opposite ends of the arena, didn’t acknowledge one another and left without a word.

LeBron has been a Summer League regular since joining the Lake Show, and every time he’s there it’s with another star that drives home speculation for Laker fans and NBA fans alike. LeGM going to work.

Here’s a snippet from Jovan Buha of The Athletic on what was seen in Sin City:

"“Moments before the Lakers tipped off against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, James continued to be a summer-league tradition, sitting courtside along the baseline perpendicular to the Suns bench.All eyes in the area were on him. Players, former players, coaches, agents and executives-most notably Jerry Stackhouse, James Jones, Gary Payton II and Baron Davis-made their way over to dap up James and join the scene, which featured more than  a dozen photographers documenting him from every possible angle. On the opposite end of the floor, nearly directly diagonal, Westbrook sat next to the Lakers’ bench,, even entering the huddle at one point to offer guidance.”"

Now look, just because LeBron and Russ aren’t Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson off the court doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a rift. But when Russ’ name seemingly comes up in trade rumors every other day, it’s no surprise social media took this information and ran.

Is this something or nothing for LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and the Lakers?

I personally think it’s nothing, but considering that’s the less fun answer, I’m gonna go all-in on saying it is something!

If it were to be something, could it be that LeBron knows a Russ-Kyrie trade is just about on the 2-yard line, waiting for Pete Carroll to call Marshawn Lynch’s number?  Or has even just the mentions of Lebron desperately wanting Irving to be a Laker soured Russ.

I would totally get that. The Lakers gave up a lot for Russ, and he took a lot of the flack from last season’s failures. Lack of shooting, defense, and athleticism are just a few of the problems that brought the team down last season.

Russell Westbrook did not fit with the team, but he wasn’t the only problem, so understand him being upset with all the media and fans making him the scapegoat. Add Lebron wanting him traded and that’s a recipe for beef.

If it’s nothing, which let’s face it, it’s nothing,  it just means Twitter needs to find other things to do. I love when social media sleuths rally behind something and try to piece together each and every clue.

But LeBron and Russ are fine. LeBron likes to be with his people during the off-season, and I see no issue with that. If this take gets exposed and the two really do want nothing to do with each other, I’ll be ready to face the music.

Lakers’ roster decisions indicate a Kyrie Irving trade will absolutely happen

At the end of the day, the Los Angeles Lakers will end up doing whatever it takes to make a Kyrie Irving trade happen because of the current roster.

Only time will truly tell, but if Russell Westbrook is still a Laker when training camps come around, and there is some sort of rift, that will surely be a sight to see.