[Windhorst]: Lakers ownership informed Luka they were selling; did not inform LeBron

[PistolPeteJR]

AD was their top performer and they traded him.

Luka is their top performer and their future.

Lebron is not the CEO of the Lakers. He’s an employee who will be leaving the Lakers after this year.

Also, reports are coming out now that the Lakers did give Lebron a heads up after Luka, so this is a nothing burger.

AD was their top performer on some nights, not always. And between 2019-2025 (pre-AD trade), LeBron was the better player for the majority of the 6 seasons.

Anyway, we can agree to disagree at worst.

Okay, but now Lebron isn’t their top performer, he’s not the player they plan on building around, and he’s not their priority.

And I believe that the reporting later clarified that they informed LeBron as well, but even if they didn’t…there’s no reason to give preferential treatment to an employee who is leaving the company on the future plans of a company.

And despite not being their top-performer anymore (but still at worst #2), the fact he was head honcho for so long and is still head honcho from the standpoint of bringing the money in to LAL (until this year, where he's probably #2 with regards to $$$ returns to LAL), there is a respect element that is sustained. That's the way it works.

Let's assume for a second that someone like Cuban was selling the Mavs in Dirk's last season, with Luka there. You think he wouldn't have reached out to Dirk as well, though Dirk was even past washed at that point? Of course not. There's a respect factor there (ie. what Dirk did for that organization, winning, etc). And while LeBron isn't a Laker-lifer, that respect stands.

[druggas]

The Lakers owe LeBorn absolutely nothing! He's nothing more than an employee. And an overpaid one at that.

[Mr. Perfect]

Do we know which 4 teams actually showed interest in Lebron or has that not been confirmed yet?

[NoStatsGuy]

The Lakers owe LeBorn absolutely nothing! He's nothing more than an employee. And an overpaid one at that.

while i agree with the first part, pls tell me how a 2nd team all nba player earning 50 million is overpaid. lebron had the 13th highest salary last year.

notable people ahead of him.

embiid
curry
beal
butler

they are all worse than lebroon. lebron finished 6th in mvp voting, ranked 7th in EPM, averaged 24/8/8, 7th in VORP, 8th in BPM, hes in the 20s in most other advaned metrics. its 100% fair to say he is still a top10-15 player and outperforms his current contract. im not sayin pay that man a 5 year/350 million contract. i understand people dont want to commit longterm to lebron, which is smart. but going year by year, lebron is still worth every penny of his contact.

[NZB2323]

AD was their top performer on some nights, not always. And between 2019-2025 (pre-AD trade), LeBron was the better player for the majority of the 6 seasons.

Anyway, we can agree to disagree at worst.

Okay, but now Lebron isn’t their top performer, he’s not the player they plan on building around, and he’s not their priority.

And I believe that the reporting later clarified that they informed LeBron as well, but even if they didn’t…there’s no reason to give preferential treatment to an employee who is leaving the company on the future plans of a company.

And despite not being their top-performer anymore (but still at worst #2), the fact he was head honcho for so long and is still head honcho from the standpoint of bringing the money in to LAL (until this year, where he's probably #2 with regards to $$$ returns to LAL), there is a respect element that is sustained. That's the way it works.

Let's assume for a second that someone like Cuban was selling the Mavs in Dirk's last season, with Luka there. You think he wouldn't have reached out to Dirk as well, though Dirk was even past washed at that point? Of course not. There's a respect factor there (ie. what Dirk did for that organization, winning, etc). And while LeBron isn't a Laker-lifer, that respect stands.

I don’t believe that Luka was given advanced notice of the Mavs sale, or of him being traded.

In any case, the Lakers did let LeBron know, they drafted his son and gave him a guaranteed 2 year deal, they’ll retire his jersey and build him a statue. I don’t see some big grievance here.

[PistolPeteJR]

Okay, but now Lebron isn’t their top performer, he’s not the player they plan on building around, and he’s not their priority.

And I believe that the reporting later clarified that they informed LeBron as well, but even if they didn’t…there’s no reason to give preferential treatment to an employee who is leaving the company on the future plans of a company.

And despite not being their top-performer anymore (but still at worst #2), the fact he was head honcho for so long and is still head honcho from the standpoint of bringing the money in to LAL (until this year, where he's probably #2 with regards to $$$ returns to LAL), there is a respect element that is sustained. That's the way it works.

Let's assume for a second that someone like Cuban was selling the Mavs in Dirk's last season, with Luka there. You think he wouldn't have reached out to Dirk as well, though Dirk was even past washed at that point? Of course not. There's a respect factor there (ie. what Dirk did for that organization, winning, etc). And while LeBron isn't a Laker-lifer, that respect stands.

I don’t believe that Luka was given advanced notice of the Mavs sale, or of him being traded.

In any case, the Lakers did let LeBron know, they drafted his son and gave him a guaranteed 2 year deal, they’ll retire his jersey and build him a statue. I don’t see some big grievance here.

We're talking about the principle behind it, not what actually happened that's been clarified in the last day or so.

[Lockdown504090]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

[The Laker Kid]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

You mean like give Doncic a complementary player like AD? or maybe draft his kid? Give him a 52.6M player option? How exactly will he be treated? It's not like they're sending him to the Raptors or something terrible like that.

[JellosJigglin]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

You mean like give Doncic a complementary player like AD? or maybe draft his kid? Give him a 52.6M player option? How exactly will he be treated? It's not like they're sending him to the Raptors or something terrible like that.

don't forget the stupid westbrook trade that set them back 5 years and signing a bunch of Klutch players and choosing THT over Alex Caruso.

The Lakers bent over backwards for Lebron.

[ScrantonBulls]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

You mean like give Doncic a complementary player like AD? or maybe draft his kid? Give him a 52.6M player option? How exactly will he be treated? It's not like they're sending him to the Raptors or something terrible like that.

don't forget the stupid westbrook trade that set them back 5 years and signing a bunch of Klutch players and choosing THT over Alex Caruso.

The Lakers bent over backwards for Lebron.

Wait so now you think LeBron chose THT over Caruso? LeBron wanted them to keep Caruso.

Look man, I know you really hate LeBron given that you legitimately stopped watching your favorite team, the Lakers, ever since he joined. But you shouldn't lie things. Have you thought about talking to somebody about your hate towards him? I'm not joking. To stop watching the team you love because a non-criminal player joined is pure insanity. I can't fathom hating somebody so much that I completely stop watching the Bulls for 7 years - especially if they got me a title. MAYBE if they signed a player who got away with a brutal hate crime or murder I could see it. Even then I probably wouldn't. It's just pure insanity.

I don't hate any player more then I love my team.

[kombayn]

Do we know which 4 teams actually showed interest in Lebron or has that not been confirmed yet?

I would think the Cavaliers, Heat, Knicks & Warriors. Those are teams he would realistically waive his no-trade clause for. I think the Heat are interested but they don't have the roster, the other 3 do to compete for a championship.

[JellosJigglin]

You mean like give Doncic a complementary player like AD? or maybe draft his kid? Give him a 52.6M player option? How exactly will he be treated? It's not like they're sending him to the Raptors or something terrible like that.

don't forget the stupid westbrook trade that set them back 5 years and signing a bunch of Klutch players and choosing THT over Alex Caruso.

The Lakers bent over backwards for Lebron.

Wait so now you think LeBron chose THT over Caruso? LeBron wanted them to keep Caruso.

Look man, I know you really hate LeBron given that you legitimately stopped watching your favorite team, the Lakers, ever since he joined. But you shouldn't lie things. Have you thought about talking to somebody about your hate towards him? I'm not joking. To stop watching the team you love because a non-criminal player joined is pure insanity. I can't fathom hating somebody so much that I completely stop watching the Bulls for 7 years - especially if they got me a title. MAYBE if they signed a player who got away with a brutal hate crime or murder I could see it. Even then I probably wouldn't. It's just pure insanity.

I don't hate any player more then I love my team.

THT was Klutch. That's the whole reason they drafted and chose him over Caruso. And a slew of other players who were represented by Klutch.

Hate can not get me to stop watching. Indifference can. I hated Karl Malone and watched every game he played as a Laker. This is more "hit the snooze and wake me up when it's over." Knowing it's Luka's team now has rejuvenated my interest.

But anyway you seem to be aware of my post history or we've interacted before. I don't really look at usernames so I have no idea. But it's impressive considering how rarely I post here. I must've made quite an impression.

[zimpy27]

don't forget the stupid westbrook trade that set them back 5 years and signing a bunch of Klutch players and choosing THT over Alex Caruso.

The Lakers bent over backwards for Lebron.

Wait so now you think LeBron chose THT over Caruso? LeBron wanted them to keep Caruso.

Look man, I know you really hate LeBron given that you legitimately stopped watching your favorite team, the Lakers, ever since he joined. But you shouldn't lie things. Have you thought about talking to somebody about your hate towards him? I'm not joking. To stop watching the team you love because a non-criminal player joined is pure insanity. I can't fathom hating somebody so much that I completely stop watching the Bulls for 7 years - especially if they got me a title. MAYBE if they signed a player who got away with a brutal hate crime or murder I could see it. Even then I probably wouldn't. It's just pure insanity.

I don't hate any player more then I love my team.

THT was Klutch. That's the whole reason they drafted and chose him over Caruso. And a slew of other players who were represented by Klutch.

Hate can not get me to stop watching. Indifference can. I hated Karl Malone and watched every game he played as a Laker. This is more "hit the snooze and wake me up when it's over." Knowing it's Luka's team now has rejuvenated my interest.

But anyway you seem to be aware of my post history or we've interacted before. I don't really look at usernames so I have no idea. But it's impressive considering how rarely I post here. I must've made quite an impression.

Not sure where this narrative is from. There's many Klutch players, THT wasn't the only one, he's just the one that was signed by Lakers.

LeBron preferred Caruso over THT, he wanted Caruso kept and it was Rob that let him walk.

[CobraCommander]

I look at it this way. Did the team inform Hachimura that they were selling? Vanderbilt? No? Then don’t be butthurt that they didn’t inform you, you can’t be complaining about not bringing informed when being informed is preferential treatment already. Like, if you complain, then the whole roster has the right to complain.

I mean, isn’t that essentially what this is? Complaining about whether you deserve preferential treatment. It’s preferential already, which means you don’t necessarily need it to begin with.

But if the team told Luka and didn’t tell the rest of them, that’s just as weird. I would either tell them all, the roster isn’t 10000 people, or I would tell none of them.

It’s not like they were asking for Luka or lebrons opinion- the deals done. You got new owners… that’s informative

I agree. It’s just preferential treatment in the end, which you can argue that no one necessarily “deserves” at all. Like, the point of LeBron being upset is what, he believes he should be treated better than his teammates? I mean, even if you are LeBron, all his history and value, how does the rest of the team view that? I mean, telling Luka and not telling everyone else is in the end preferential treatment for Luka, sure, but I’d feel the same way if Luka was butthurt about not being told either. Like, get over yourself, in the end, there’s no real reason for you to need to know, is there? You signed a contract with the company, the Lakers, not the Buss family. And if they’re having money issues and need to sell the team, why are you expecting them to advertise it? If people are having money problems, I feel they try and take that secret to the grave.

“Why are you upset?”
“I’m not receiving preferential treatment over you, can’t you understand why I’m distressed Rui? I’m better than you and I know it.”
“………… Sure.”

100%.

The only people that know in business transactions are the need to know people … I wouldn’t tell any of them or I would send a group text or schedule a quick video call… introduce the new guys and keep it moving -

A 26 year old doesn’t care nor need to care… he needs the checks to clear on the 1st and 15th lol

[tamaraw08]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

You mean like give Doncic a complementary player like AD? or maybe draft his kid? Give him a 52.6M player option? How exactly will he be treated? It's not like they're sending him to the Raptors or something terrible like that.

woah, are you suggesting that Lakers simply bowed and catered to Lebron's wish to get a player like AD here as a luxurious unneeded command?
Lebron was the one who recruited AD who btw forced a trade here and what was the result again?
You mean to tell me you'll rather have brittle boys like Ingram, Ball and the fully regressed Kuzma to stay here?
And it's not like the Lakers used their 18th pick to get his son, it was their 55th pick for crying out loud.
BTW, you make it sound like the 52.6 Mil player option was not earned. Lebron averaged 29/7/6 2 years ago, and 26/7/8 the year after.
And before you accuse me of being a Lebron fanatic, let me tell you now that I hated the guy before he came here in LA.
But this team was stuck in a pile of crap for 5 miserable years, FIVE YEARS !!!Then Lebron comes here and the Lakers didn't have to trade assets just to acquire him.
Was he perfect? Hell no!, Yes he and AD caused that terrible trade for Westbrook but don't make it appear that al the guy did was cause so much harm to this team that you guys want him out no matter what.

[John Murdoch]

Knicks have made some bad moves post playoffs so maybe OG+ Hart is an option for LeBron

[Yank3525]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

Sure if we are gifted wrapped another generational superstar when Luka is 40 then yeah he might get similar treatment.

[HMFFL]

Wait so now you think LeBron chose THT over Caruso? LeBron wanted them to keep Caruso.

Look man, I know you really hate LeBron given that you legitimately stopped watching your favorite team, the Lakers, ever since he joined. But you shouldn't lie things. Have you thought about talking to somebody about your hate towards him? I'm not joking. To stop watching the team you love because a non-criminal player joined is pure insanity. I can't fathom hating somebody so much that I completely stop watching the Bulls for 7 years - especially if they got me a title. MAYBE if they signed a player who got away with a brutal hate crime or murder I could see it. Even then I probably wouldn't. It's just pure insanity.

I don't hate any player more then I love my team.

THT was Klutch. That's the whole reason they drafted and chose him over Caruso. And a slew of other players who were represented by Klutch.

Hate can not get me to stop watching. Indifference can. I hated Karl Malone and watched every game he played as a Laker. This is more "hit the snooze and wake me up when it's over." Knowing it's Luka's team now has rejuvenated my interest.

But anyway you seem to be aware of my post history or we've interacted before. I don't really look at usernames so I have no idea. But it's impressive considering how rarely I post here. I must've made quite an impression.

Not sure where this narrative is from. There's many Klutch players, THT wasn't the only one, he's just the one that was signed by Lakers.

LeBron preferred Caruso over THT, he wanted Caruso kept and it was Rob that let him walk.

Alex Caruso was pushed away and I never remember Lebron standing up for him. Otherwise, he would still be a Laker and the ownership have made countless mistakes in how they've managed their rosters since Lebron joined the team. 


Mark Walter will clear things up and won't tolerate the circus Lebron has created in LA. 


Just about every Laker fan I know doesn't want Lebron on the team. That has been the case for a few seasons. The same with the personnel that I know that works at Crypto Arena. This includes security, building management,  and so on. I work at the arena several times a year.  Lebron has been denied on request he's made at the arena backstage.  I won't get into everything but one thing he wanted was thick carpet installed in the backstage locker room hallway, not happening. His request was granted in Cleveland and Miami.  

Keep defending Lebron at all cost if that's what you enjoy doing. Lebron realizes Mark Walter won't put up with what's been going on. If you need to ask "what has been going on" then you might not be seeing things clearly.

[The4thHorseman]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

You mean like give Doncic a complementary player like AD? or maybe draft his kid? Give him a 52.6M player option? How exactly will he be treated? It's not like they're sending him to the Raptors or something terrible like that.

don't forget the stupid westbrook trade that set them back 5 years and signing a bunch of Klutch players and choosing THT over Alex Caruso.

The Lakers bent over backwards for Lebron.

Who were the "bunch of Klutch players" LA signed because LeBron told them to?

[Airmiess]

all the lakers are doing is giving doncic a preview into how he will be treated once he signs a long term deal.

You sound out of touch.

The Lakers are in the situation theyre in now because LeBron had too much power. Nike agent had to secretly gift Luka to them in order to save the franchise from purgatory.