[WINDHORST]: Lakers May Need To Trade For LeBron This Summer

[Pharmcat]

It’s the same story with LeBron and his “posse” everywhere he goes. He tried to pull the same stunt in Miami, but Riley showed him who’s the boss and LeBron took his ball and went home afterwards. Great player, but he’s always been a manipulative control freak who always need to get things done his way or he walks out.

Lebron should have never left Pat Riley to go back to an organization that he didn't trust - Cleveland.

Lakers made their own bed getting into the Lebron James business. In order to sign him, you have to give him control. They did that, and he took them out of their 7 year slump and back to the top of the NBA. Just like Lebron made his bed with the Westbrook trade, the Lakers made their bed handing the keys over to Lebron.

True... Another way to look at that is the Lakers got what they wanted and now it's just a matter of knowing when it's time to call it over... It sounds like they identified that time.

Let's also not act like LeBron didn't get what he wanted either... A championship and a major motion picture (it sucked, but you can't blame that on the Lakers)...

The real question I have is, what does AD want?

AD doesn’t want to play , just collect the paychecks

[Kilroy]

Lebron should have never left Pat Riley to go back to an organization that he didn't trust - Cleveland.

Lakers made their own bed getting into the Lebron James business. In order to sign him, you have to give him control. They did that, and he took them out of their 7 year slump and back to the top of the NBA. Just like Lebron made his bed with the Westbrook trade, the Lakers made their bed handing the keys over to Lebron.

True... Another way to look at that is the Lakers got what they wanted and now it's just a matter of knowing when it's time to call it over... It sounds like they identified that time.

Let's also not act like LeBron didn't get what he wanted either... A championship and a major motion picture (it sucked, but you can't blame that on the Lakers)...

The real question I have is, what does AD want?

AD doesn’t want to play , just collect the paychecks

AD was a lot more consistent before playing with LeBron... Sure he got hurt, but I just wonder how much of the "take it easy during the season and rest up for the playoffs" mentality LeBron seems to preach (until he thinks he might get into the MVP discussion, and then he focuses real hard on the scoring side of the court) infected AD... AD seems to do better when he brings the same intensity every night... He doesn't seem to have a 'switch' and he seems to get injured more when he's not fully locked in...

So, agreed with the thought... But I really am curious what AD thinks about this situation because it would be really interesting if he breaks with LeBron and says he's fully committed and wants to stay in LA... It would completely change the landscape of a Lakers rebuild.

[CS707]

AD owes LeBron everything. Got him out of N.O. and got him a ring. If LeBron leaves he can just comfortably go back to being N.O. AD but in a preferred city.

[fourtyounce48]

AD owes LeBron everything. Got him out of N.O. and got him a ring. If LeBron leaves he can just comfortably go back to being N.O. AD but in a preferred city.

Sure Lebron has a ring outside of playing for the Lakers. But you have to be honest that AD was a significant part of both winning a ring with the Lakers. Without a healthy AD, Lebron either lost in the first round or missed the playoffs entirely.

[CS707]

AD owes LeBron everything. Got him out of N.O. and got him a ring. If LeBron leaves he can just comfortably go back to being N.O. AD but in a preferred city.

Sure Lebron has a ring outside of playing for the Lakers. But you have to be honest that AD was a significant part of both winning a ring with the Lakers. Without a healthy AD, Lebron either lost in the first round or missed the playoffs entirely.

Sure, takes a team and all that but he never even lands in LA without LeBron/Clutch orchestrating it and it's unlikely he ever wins anything in N.O. as "the" guy. I guess my point was more that AD isn't really in a position to voice an opinion about how LeBron goes about his business. IMO.

[whatisacenter]

Maybe if they change the name of the team to the Los Angeles LeBronners and promise to draft his Kid LeBron will be happy. LeBron and Klutch have taken control of one of the most iconic franchises in sports.....kind of embarrassing if you ask me.

Interesting quotes in the recent Atlantic article.https://theathletic.com/3144921/2022/02/23/oram-as-tensions-rise-between-lebron-james-and-rob-pelinka-where-will-lakers-draw-the-line/

This has to all come as a shock to the Lakers and especially their vice president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, who has repeatedly yielded to James and the appropriately-named Klutch Sports Group that represents him.

Why appropriate?

Because James and agent Rich Paul long grabbed hold of the Lakers organization and are now beginning to really squeeze.

The situation is tense enough that one source close to the Lakers likened it to the early days of a war.

Pelinka erred when he said there was “alignment” between the front office and the Lakers superstars after the team failed to make a trade at the deadline. There quite clearly was not.

It remains murky, however, what exactly Pelinka was supposed to do at the deadline, and to what end.

If the Lakers traded their one available first rounder, a 2027 pick, and it didn’t make them a contender — which by now feels completely out of reach — it would have only limited their ability to improve the team in the offseason.

It’s obvious that James wanted him to do something. But Pelinka no doubt remembered that the last time he yielded to James’ management instincts, he got saddled with Russell Westbrook.

It is notable that maybe for the first time in James’ tenure, he did not get what he wanted out of Pelinka.

[downtownpie]

When will the LeBron to the Nets rumours start?

Thats got enough talent that he'll try to jump on the bandwagon for next season. There'll be some crap about NY etc etc.

[jpengland]

This is, unfortunately, the baggage that comes with LeBron and Klutch.

You sell your soul by turning to LeBron to take a run at Championships and you have to bet that it's worth that price.

The end of LeBrons career will be interesting. He will likely continue to try to exert the same level of power without the same level of return for a franchise. I know I wouldn't want Dallas to go anywhere near him.

[LAL1947]

Maybe if the change the name of the team to the Los Angeles LeBronners and promise to draft his Kid LeBron will be happy. LeBron and Klutch have taken control of one of the most iconic franchises in sports.....kind of embarrassing if you ask me.

I agree. Jeanie Buss needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Trade him this summer before we lose the opportunity. He is still worth something good at this time, to teams like Cleveland and even GSW, from whom we can get assets back to start our next reload.

[R-DAWG]

It’s the same story with LeBron and his “posse” everywhere he goes. He tried to pull the same stunt in Miami, but Riley showed him who’s the boss and LeBron took his ball and went home afterwards. Great player, but he’s always been a manipulative control freak who always need to get things done his way or he walks out.

Lebron should have never left Pat Riley to go back to an organization that he didn't trust - Cleveland.

Lakers made their own bed getting into the Lebron James business. In order to sign him, you have to give him control. They did that, and he took them out of their 7 year slump and back to the top of the NBA. Just like Lebron made his bed with the Westbrook trade, the Lakers made their bed handing the keys over to Lebron.

True... Another way to look at that is the Lakers got what they wanted and now it's just a matter of knowing when it's time to call it over... It sounds like they identified that time.

Let's also not act like LeBron didn't get what he wanted either... A championship and a major motion picture (it sucked, but you can't blame that on the Lakers)...

The real question I have is, what does AD want?

Very fair point. The Lakers had been a disaster since Jeanie took control of the team, 6 straight years without a playoff appearance and 3 straight #2 overall picks without a guy who looked like a franchise caliber player. Lebron came in and made the Lakers relevant again, and then delivered Jeanie her first title.

And yes, Lebron got what he wanted - moved to Hollywood and the Lakers invested all their assets to putting his guys around him - AD, KCP (Klutch guy), THT (you have to think the reason that (a) the Lakers didn't include THT in the Lowry trade and (b) the Lakers chose to pay THT over Carusso was Klutch/Lebron related even if not a direct request), hard capping the team for Montrez Harrell (who has never a great fit) and Westbrook.

I do think the Lakers are at the point where they have decided that this iteration of the team isn't worth investing future assets in at this point. And Lebron is frustrated because the team is struggling and the front office isn't putting all it chips - including going deep into the luxury tax - on the table.

When Lebron showed up in 2018 - both Jeanie and Lebron has the same goal - put all the chips on the table to win another championship. But in 2022, it seems as if Jeanie is more concerned with setting the Lakers up for sustained success over the next decade (even if that just means a perennial playoff team/fringe contender) while Lebron wants to maximize the limited time he has left to lead a team to the title.

[The Rebel]

Lebron should have never left Pat Riley to go back to an organization that he didn't trust - Cleveland.

Lakers made their own bed getting into the Lebron James business. In order to sign him, you have to give him control. They did that, and he took them out of their 7 year slump and back to the top of the NBA. Just like Lebron made his bed with the Westbrook trade, the Lakers made their bed handing the keys over to Lebron.

True... Another way to look at that is the Lakers got what they wanted and now it's just a matter of knowing when it's time to call it over... It sounds like they identified that time.

Let's also not act like LeBron didn't get what he wanted either... A championship and a major motion picture (it sucked, but you can't blame that on the Lakers)...

The real question I have is, what does AD want?

Very fair point. The Lakers had been a disaster since Jeanie took control of the team, 6 straight years without a playoff appearance and 3 straight #2 overall picks without a guy who looked like a franchise caliber player. Lebron came in and made the Lakers relevant again, and then delivered Jeanie her first title.

And yes, Lebron got what he wanted - moved to Hollywood and the Lakers invested all their assets to putting his guys around him - AD, KCP (Klutch guy), THT (you have to think the reason that (a) the Lakers didn't include THT in the Lowry trade and (b) the Lakers chose to pay THT over Carusso was Klutch/Lebron related even if not a direct request), hard capping the team for Montrez Harrell (who has never a great fit) and Westbrook.

I do think the Lakers are at the point where they have decided that this iteration of the team isn't worth investing future assets in at this point. And Lebron is frustrated because the team is struggling and the front office isn't putting all it chips - including going deep into the luxury tax - on the table.

When Lebron showed up in 2018 - both Jeanie and Lebron has the same goal - put all the chips on the table to win another championship. But in 2022, it seems as if Jeanie is more concerned with setting the Lakers up for sustained success over the next decade (even if that just means a perennial playoff team/fringe contender) while Lebron wants to maximize the limited time he has left to lead a team to the title.

Didn't Jeanie take over the team about the time Lebron joined the team after Jimmie being in charge for those rebuilding years?

I know that goes against the idea that she was running it into the ground before Lebron, but the fact is she ran it while Kobe was there and did a heck of a job, and took back over with Lebron, and now she is the problem?

[jc23]

AD owes LeBron everything. Got him out of N.O. and got him a ring. If LeBron leaves he can just comfortably go back to being N.O. AD but in a preferred city.

Sure Lebron has a ring outside of playing for the Lakers. But you have to be honest that AD was a significant part of both winning a ring with the Lakers. Without a healthy AD, Lebron either lost in the first round or missed the playoffs entirely.

Sure, takes a team and all that but he never even lands in LA without LeBron/Clutch orchestrating it and it's unlikely he ever wins anything in N.O. as "the" guy. I guess my point was more that AD isn't really in a position to voice an opinion about how LeBron goes about his business. IMO.

He never would have won in NO but i think there are other situations he could have been very successful, i would have loved to see him paired with cp3 for instance. AD is nothing more than a pawn to lebron imo, but i also feel AD's personality is suited to being just that.

[R-DAWG]

Expanding on the point of Lebron being a jumper - I'm not sure Lebron goes to LA in the summer of 2018 if the Cavs either (a) don't trade Kyrie Irving or (b) instead of taking the approach they did on the Kyrie trade (half present, even though that didn't work out, and half future) they landed a Kyrie level replacement - rather he stays in Cleveland for a few more years because they would give him the best shot to win more championships. After the Kyrie trade, Cleveland was an over the hill team that needed a rebuild and Lebron had lost what little trust he had left in Dan Gilbert, and I feel the feeling was mutual.

I think Lebron's reasons for going to LA were more than just basketball related. It's where he wants to live in his post playing days. And to be honest, the difference between retiring with 4 titles or 5 titles means very little. So I'm not necessarily sure if Lebron is going to force he was out of LA, even if this means Lebron has played his last NBA Finals game.

[nbhadja]

Lebron is not smart. He is the one that pushed for the idiotic move of trading for Chuckbrook and now he is surprised that it didn't work out? That's like jumping in a snake pit and being surprised that a snake bit you.

These players need to understand that they are where they are because they are good basketball PLAYERS, not coaches/GMs etc. The Lakers should have never allowed Lebron to be LeGM.

Also if Lebron really wanted flexibility he should have continued doing the 1+1 deals. Now he is still in contract and any team he goes to would have to lose a lot of talent to get him. The man is worth like half a billion dollars, would still get a max deal even with a major injury, and he will earn tens of millions of dollars for the rest of his life, but he was obsessed with getting a few more guaranteed years on his contract? LOL Lebron is not smart.

[srhcan]

I suspect Lakers will ask for one of Garland or Mobley to trade Lebron.

[lamscott]

True... Another way to look at that is the Lakers got what they wanted and now it's just a matter of knowing when it's time to call it over... It sounds like they identified that time.

Let's also not act like LeBron didn't get what he wanted either... A championship and a major motion picture (it sucked, but you can't blame that on the Lakers)...

The real question I have is, what does AD want?

Very fair point. The Lakers had been a disaster since Jeanie took control of the team, 6 straight years without a playoff appearance and 3 straight #2 overall picks without a guy who looked like a franchise caliber player. Lebron came in and made the Lakers relevant again, and then delivered Jeanie her first title.

And yes, Lebron got what he wanted - moved to Hollywood and the Lakers invested all their assets to putting his guys around him - AD, KCP (Klutch guy), THT (you have to think the reason that (a) the Lakers didn't include THT in the Lowry trade and (b) the Lakers chose to pay THT over Carusso was Klutch/Lebron related even if not a direct request), hard capping the team for Montrez Harrell (who has never a great fit) and Westbrook.

I do think the Lakers are at the point where they have decided that this iteration of the team isn't worth investing future assets in at this point. And Lebron is frustrated because the team is struggling and the front office isn't putting all it chips - including going deep into the luxury tax - on the table.

When Lebron showed up in 2018 - both Jeanie and Lebron has the same goal - put all the chips on the table to win another championship. But in 2022, it seems as if Jeanie is more concerned with setting the Lakers up for sustained success over the next decade (even if that just means a perennial playoff team/fringe contender) while Lebron wants to maximize the limited time he has left to lead a team to the title.

Didn't Jeanie take over the team about the time Lebron joined the team after Jimmie being in charge for those rebuilding years?

I know that goes against the idea that she was running it into the ground before Lebron, but the fact is she ran it while Kobe was there and did a heck of a job, and took back over with Lebron, and now she is the problem?

That is correct. If people think Jeanie is unsuccessful, they would have hated living through the drama filled years with Dr. Jerry Buss. Nobody remembers the Sedale Threat and Terry Teagle years.

[Quattro]

Poor Lebron. I feel so bad for him.

[R-DAWG]

Very fair point. The Lakers had been a disaster since Jeanie took control of the team, 6 straight years without a playoff appearance and 3 straight #2 overall picks without a guy who looked like a franchise caliber player. Lebron came in and made the Lakers relevant again, and then delivered Jeanie her first title.

And yes, Lebron got what he wanted - moved to Hollywood and the Lakers invested all their assets to putting his guys around him - AD, KCP (Klutch guy), THT (you have to think the reason that (a) the Lakers didn't include THT in the Lowry trade and (b) the Lakers chose to pay THT over Carusso was Klutch/Lebron related even if not a direct request), hard capping the team for Montrez Harrell (who has never a great fit) and Westbrook.

I do think the Lakers are at the point where they have decided that this iteration of the team isn't worth investing future assets in at this point. And Lebron is frustrated because the team is struggling and the front office isn't putting all it chips - including going deep into the luxury tax - on the table.

When Lebron showed up in 2018 - both Jeanie and Lebron has the same goal - put all the chips on the table to win another championship. But in 2022, it seems as if Jeanie is more concerned with setting the Lakers up for sustained success over the next decade (even if that just means a perennial playoff team/fringe contender) while Lebron wants to maximize the limited time he has left to lead a team to the title.

Didn't Jeanie take over the team about the time Lebron joined the team after Jimmie being in charge for those rebuilding years?

I know that goes against the idea that she was running it into the ground before Lebron, but the fact is she ran it while Kobe was there and did a heck of a job, and took back over with Lebron, and now she is the problem?

That is correct. If people think Jeanie is unsuccessful, they would have hated living through the drama filled years with Dr. Jerry Buss. Nobody remembers the Sedale Threat and Terry Teagle years.

I have you beat - I have lived with Jim Dolan, Jeff Wilpon and Woody Johnson - at the the same time - for 20 years.

[NyKnicks1714]

Why are people still talking about the Lakers trading LeBron, to Cleveland or anywhere else? That's coming from absolutely nowhere. The Lakers are 100% not going to trade LeBron, unless he asks to be traded. He's 100% not going to ask to be traded since, if for no other reason, Bronny has another year left at Sierra Canyon.

[lamscott]

Didn't Jeanie take over the team about the time Lebron joined the team after Jimmie being in charge for those rebuilding years?

I know that goes against the idea that she was running it into the ground before Lebron, but the fact is she ran it while Kobe was there and did a heck of a job, and took back over with Lebron, and now she is the problem?

That is correct. If people think Jeanie is unsuccessful, they would have hated living through the drama filled years with Dr. Jerry Buss. Nobody remembers the Sedale Threat and Terry Teagle years.

I have you beat - I have lived with Jim Dolan, Jeff Wilpon and Woody Johnson - at the the same time - for 20 years.

You win. But the Anthony Mason years were so much fun though! Starks for 3!