This season, the Los Angeles Lakers are engaged in a brutal standoff. In one corner is LeBron James and the players, who have been practically begging the front office to make a trade and give up their two first-round picks for additional depth around their big three.
In the other corner are Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, and the Lakers’ front office, who have ignored the pleas for help to avoid giving up their last remaining assets.
It’s been an interesting battle to witness, but how will it ultimately end, and can both sides reach an agreement? According to one insider, there’s really only one way that LeBron wants it to play this out, and there’s good reason for it.
NBA Insider Drops Truth Bomb On LeBron James And Draft Assets
In a recent article, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (via The Hoop Collective) explored the value of the Lakers’ picks and explained why James sees no value in them.
LeBron James doesn’t care about first-round draft picks. And if you were him, you wouldn’t either.
The reasons why the Lakers are so cautious about those picks have been documented. The reason why James has little care for future picks is assumed to be his age, now 38, and the desire to maximize his remaining playing days. That is certainly true, but there’s more to it.
In his now 20-year pro career, James’ teams drafted a player in the first round and played him with James as a rookie a grand total of five times:
James played more than two seasons with one of them, Cole, who was also the only rookie first-rounder to play with James on a team that reached the NBA Finals. JJ Hickson and James did establish a nice repertoire in two seasons together, though ironically the Cleveland Cavaliers were criticized for not trading Hickson for veteran talent before James left in free agency.
None of the players, respectively, had distinguished careers in the league. Wagner, it must be said, is still working on his. He’s currently with the Orlando Magic, his fourth team in five seasons.
LeBron James doesn’t care much about 1st rounders & if you look at what his teams have done with them the last 20 years you may agree
Plus the best new nickname, cash game in trade market & latest injury affects on MVP
This week from the collective: https://t.co/UoS8ehOHMv
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) January 10, 2023
The idea of having your young player taught and mentored by LeBron James seems ideal, but LeBron hasn’t been able to win with a top rookie prospect by his side.
Instead, he usually has his teams trade their first-round picks for stars like Kevin Love, Chris Bosh, and Anthony Davis.
Some of the younger players, including recent lottery picks Hunter and Daniels, are all still young with upside. Jones and Valanciunas are in the midst of respectable careers as role players. None of the others were, or are, stars.
While considering that, these are some of the teammates that James’ teams acquired to play with him in trades involving those picks.
Chris Bosh
Kevin Love
Anthony Davis
Antawn Jamison
Timofey Mozgov
Kyle Korver
Channing Frye
Russell Westbrook
So, LeBron obviously prefers his teams to trade younger guys in exchange for proven, veteran players that can help him win now and it makes a lot of sense when you consider LeBron’s track record.
The Lakers, this season, have been reluctant to follow the plan. Even with the team reeling, Rob Pelinka doesn’t seem any closer to a trade than he was in October.
LeBron probably doesn’t appreciate that, but only time will tell us what kind of impact this decision will have on Purple and Gold.
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