The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a horrible start this season and it is safe to say that LeBron James is not used to this kind of performance. While the season is young, the Lakers are also coming off of one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
When LeBron signed an extension with the Lakers over the summer it was assumed that this was a promise by the front office to fully commit to building a contender in the near future. For many, this all but guaranteed the Lakers would trade Russell Westbrook.
That has not yet happened and with Westbrook trade talks slowing down, it looks like the Lakers may hold onto their coveted 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. LeBron, who has been a notable supporter of Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead and his philosophy with draft picks, used a comparison to Aaron Rodgers to send a not-so-subtle shot at the Lakers.
"“If you have a transcendent player like Aaron Rodgers […] so why won’t you surround that when you picks to maximize what you do?”"
It didn’t stop there, though. Co-creator Paul Rivera asked LeBron if he was still talking football or if he was now talking basketball. LeBron confirmed he was talking about football, but still had to sprinkle in a subtle message.
“I mean it definitely translates, but I don’t want to talk about me,” James said.
LeBron James’ Aaron Rodgers comment absolutely translates to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The fact that LeBron James went out of his way to confirm that the thought process translates and that he does not want to talk about himself all but confirms that this is a subtle shot at the Lakers.
Rivera never asked if it had anything to do with him and the Lakers, just if he was talking about basketball. For LeBron to then essentially says that his comment also applies to him just shows that he wants the Lakers to trade those future picks in order to build a contender.
The Lakers might be right to not give in to LeBron, though. After all, LeBron is the one that reportedly pushed for Rob Pelinka to trade for Russell Westbrook in the first place. As the old saying goes, you have to lie in the bed that you made.
Plus, it is not like a trade for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner is guaranteed to turn anything around. Los Angeles needs more of a sample size in the coming weeks but with how the team is right now, Hield and Turner are not going to be a quick fix to turn them from being a lottery team to a contending team.
Maybe it can push Los Angeles to win one playoff series but is that really worth two extremely valuable future picks? Those are two of the most valuable assets in the sport. If the Lakers are going to move them the price is going to have to be right.
Lakers have new target for potential Russell Westbrook trade
The Los Angeles Lakers may have a new target for a potential Russell Westbrook trade, assuming the team still wants to make one this season.
But of course, LeBron James doesn’t care about that because he won’t be on the team in 2027.