LeBron James has always drawn headlines, but his most recent workout location had fans spiraling into full-blown conspiracy mode. When the Lakers star was spotted training at the former Clippers facility in Playa Vista, whispers of a potential cross-town move started gaining steam, especially amid growing rumors of friction between James and the Lakers’ front office.
But according to a new report from Dallas Hoops Journal, the truth isn’t nearly as dramatic because James has long made it clear he’ll never play for L.A.’s secondary basketball team.
“LeBron was working out at a Klutch Sports Group office,” an NBA source told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Klutch uses the Clippers’ old facility in Playa Vista. This is a non-story. People need to stop reading into everything LeBron does. Plus, LeBron will never play for the Clippers. He has said that many times to people in his circle.”
As LeBron James enters the final year of his contract, speculation has hit an all-time high. So when the fans saw him working out at a Clippers facility, they naturally assumed it was a hint at his next NBA destination. In reality, it was just a routine workout and photoshoot at a Klutch facility (which used to be a Clippers practice gym).
LeBron James is very particular about where he plays, and he won’t just suit up for any team. In 2018, he signed with the Lakers to both enhance his legacy and expand his empire to the world of business and media. As one of the NBA’s most famous teams and one of its most popular, the Lakers have a certain level of appeal that has kept LeBron loyal for the past seven years.
As he’s enjoyed the Los Angeles lifestyle, the Lakers have done their part to ensure they remain competitive with him on the roster. While Luka Doncic’s arrival has complicated things, the Clippers would never be an option for LeBron at this stage of his career, despite their best efforts to insert themselves in trade rumors.
Despite being a contender, with LeBron’s former coach, Tyronn Lue, running the show, the Clippers have a reputation for coming up short in the most essential moments. To date, the franchise has never made a Finals appearance, and even with a stacked roster of stars and veterans, they’ve only made it past the second round once (in 2021) in the Kawhi Leonard era.
Besides a lack of success, the Clippers are dragged down by living in the Lakers’ shadow. While the Clippers were 12th in fan attendance last season, they’re not afforded the same degree of respect or coverage as their intercity rivals.
For now, LeBron remains fully committed to the purple and gold. While his long-term future is still uncertain, one thing appears set in stone—he won’t be swapping jerseys for the Clippers anytime soon. This latest rumor may have captured social media’s attention, but in reality, it’s just another chapter in the ongoing saga of LeBron James: global icon, elite athlete, and the NBA’s most overanalyzed man.
