After a slow start of free agency, where do the Lakers go, Lebron James go from here?
Two things made the first 48 hours of free agency for Lebron James and Los Angeles Lakers made unusual.
First of all, the Lakers started slowly. It is not a secret that Los Angeles has entered the free agency in search of a center, but the players have been tied to having already found new houses with more aggressive teams: Brook Lopez is precisely through the city with the Clippers. Nobody was as aggressive as the dollars in finding a way to get Myles Turner out of Indiana. Clint Capela has returned to Houston.
The Lakers are talking to the agents. The names we hear now, perhaps get to the Horford, or perhaps Deandre Ayton. You can hear Luka Doncic’s eyes that roll.
LeBron not the focus of the Lakers
Secondly, for the first time in his career, Lebron James and his desires are not the most important thing for his team during the offseason. The attention of the Lakers is the transition to a team built to optimize Doncic’s skills: Lebron is part of it, but not the main objective.
In past years, Lebron has given up on the option of the player at the end of his contract and used him as a lever to convince the team to add talents. Passive-aggressive statements from him or from those around him are the norm.
This year, Lebron opted for $ 52.6 million who is due – is a Laker. The franchise has to do nothing to appease it. When he came out, his longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul released this statement to Espn:
“Lebron wants to compete for a championship. He knows that the Lakers are building for the future. He understands it, but appreciates a realistic possibility of winning everything. We are very grateful for the partnership that we have had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] And consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while we prepare for the future. We want to evaluate what is best for Lebron at this stage of his life and career. He wants to do every season that has left the count and Lakers understand him, are supported and want what is best for him.”
It is a little more than passive-aggressive.
Where do the Lakers go, Lebron from here?
It combines Paul’s declaration with the slow start of the free agency and …
Probably nothing. Lebron can be frustrated with the Lakers, with the transition of the team to a non -Doncic focus (even if he gets the why), and in particular with the slow start of free agency, but there is not a little Utopia out there, nor is there a simple trade that would lead him to a contender at full price.
Lebron wants to be on a contender, he wants to play significant games – and significant playoff games – and be in the heart of the conversation. In addition, Lebron has constantly tried to maximize his revenue. Lebron opted and will be paid. This means that if he asked for an exchange, his new team should combine Lebron’s salary. For example, many fans have tried to connect it to a return to Cleveland (the championship sources referred to NBC Sports that the Cavaliers are not so interested, but we use them as hypothetical): with a third team, an agreement can be done if it is Lebron for Darius Garland and Max Strus because the Cavs do it, give up the young people and get 15 years older (and probably worse) for a stop for a year for a year for a year for a year for a year for a year for a year for a year or a year year for a year for a year or two years. And Lebron’s trading in Cleveland is much less complicated than most of the other destinations.
According to reports, Lebron, Paul and the rest of the Lebron camp are monitoring the situation. They have every right to be frustrated by the way the Lakers have moved through the first 48 hours of free agency.
But where is a better option?
That’s why, come to the media in autumn, wait for Lebron in Purple and Gold, Talking Championship.