The Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James for at least their first five regular-season games as he deals with sciatica. If the Lakers weren’t already Luka Doncic’s team, they certainly are now, and James is all but guaranteed to spend his final seasons playing second fiddle.
Of course, his being an excellent player into his 40s is a massive accomplishment that should be celebrated, but seeing him go out behind Doncic will certainly be odd.
James could demand a trade, although the Lakers’ hands are tied and they can’t realistically send him to a premier destination. If he wants to compete for a title in his final seasons, he must stay with the Lakers.
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
LeBron James Urged to Stay With LA Lakers
If James were to demand a trade, Los Angeles would almost guarantee it, provided that his destination is able to play ball. He is expected to remain elite this season despite his injuries and advanced age.
However, there are only a handful of players who can drag an underwhelming team to the Finals. James is no longer on that level.
In order to ensure he goes out with some grace and dignity, he must remain on the Lakers.
“The only thing LeBron James needs to be thinking about, as far as I’m concerned, is retiring as a Los Angeles Laker,” declared Bomani Jones on his self-titled podcast.
With a title in Hollywood and seven All-NBA nods to his name with the Lakers, James could have his jersey retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Lakers. However, if he demands a trade, he could end up having a “Michael Jordan on the Wizards” or “Shaquille O’Neal on the Celtics” moment that does absolutely nothing to protect his legacy as the best to ever do it.
LeBron James Urged to Go on a Retirement Tour
If James doesn’t announce his retirement before Christmas, it stands to reason that he is expecting to play at least one more season. Kobe Bryant and Jordan each got their farewell tours, and James would want to go out on a similar note.
“The only way for a man in LeBron’s position to guarantee that he don’t go out sad is to announce before a season you’re going to do your tour and just go on about your business,” Jones added. “This approach is not the way to wind down your career. I don’t think this is going to play the way that he wants it to play.”
Next summer, James will be an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team. If he makes it clear that he is willing to take significantly less than a maximum deal, all 30 teams will line up for his services.
Staying in Los Angeles next to Doncic would make a lot of sense, as would signing back with the Cavaliers or the Dallas Mavericks to reunite with some of his best all-time teammates.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post LeBron James Accused of Making Massive Los Angeles Lakers Mistake appeared first on Heavy Sports.