LeBron James is still one of the best players in the league today, and there’s no doubt that he is playing at a high level on the Los Angeles Lakers. Currently, LeBron James is averaging 27.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 6.6 APG.
Despite his individual brilliance, the Los Angeles Lakers are still a poor team this season. It is unfortunate that LeBron James has to be on a team in their situation, and the superstar has already threatened to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, noting that he still wants to “compete for championships.”
“I don’t wanna finish my career playing at this level from a team aspect,” said James after the game. “I still want to compete for championships. I know what I can bring to any ball club with the right pieces. I’m a winner and I want to win. And I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships,” James said after the game. “That has always been my passion, that has always been my goal since I entered the league as an 18-year-old kid out of Akron, Ohio. And I know it takes steps to get there, but once you get there and know how to get there, playing basketball at this level just to be playing basketball is not in my DNA. It’s not in my DNA anymore. So, we’ll see what happens and see how fresh my mind stays over the next couple years.”
It remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Lakers do end up making trades that make them a championship-level team. They have the ability to do so, but the franchise might not want to actually make a move. It was recently reported that the Los Angeles Lakers might want to finish the season with their current roster. However, that may end up costing them in the short term, as LeBron James likely won’t be happy with that.
LeBron James’ Future With The Lakers Depends On If They Make Moves This Year
Recently, NBA insider Jovan Buha revealed that LeBron James’ future with the franchise could depend on whether the team ends up making trades ahead of the trade deadline this season.
Moving forward, the Lakers’ activity ahead of the trade deadline will likely be an inflection point of the James-Lakers partnership. Both parties have benefited from the relationship, with the 2020 title making this era a success, regardless of some of the recent embarrassing lows. But their desires might be diverging.
James has made his stance evident. He wants the Lakers to make a trade and upgrade the roster, to give him and Davis a legitimate shot to make noise in the postseason, almost certainly through the Play-In Tournament. Now, the pressure is on them to either honor their commitment to building the best possible roster — even if it comes at the expense of the franchise’s future draft capital — or to play hardball and call James’ bluff.
There isn’t much James can do other than express his frustration. He has committed through his 21st season, but he could push for a trade this summer —or the organization could pivot and trade him, though that is obviously less conceivable. James could also leave the Lakers in free agency in 2024 or, more dramatically, retire, though that seems unlikely given his stated preference to play with his eldest son, Bronny, who is eligible to play in the NBA in 2024-25.
But what’s become clear is that the stakes are set: the Lakers’ decisions over the next six weeks could not only determine the rest of their season but their future fate with James.
It remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Lakers do end up acquiescing to LeBron James’ desire to add win-now help in the future. There are likely ways to do that without trading draft compensation, even if it means making a small move.
Hopefully, we do see the Los Angeles Lakers become a championship-level team in the future. LeBron James deserves to be on a competitive team in the twilight of his career, and we’ll see what happens ahead of the trade deadline.
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