LeBron James posted a picture on Instagram featuring a Clippers logo in the background, despite his status still on the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Patrick Beverly defended LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after he received criticism for featuring a Los Angeles Clippers logo in the background of an Instagram post.
As of now, LeBron James is still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
After all the recent rumors and reports, which could change at any moment, James’ latest Instagram post caused speculation to rise to even greater heights. The 21-time All-Star posted a picture of himself working out with a prominent Los Angeles Clippers logo in the background.
While many saw that as a sign of his looming departure across town, James’ former teammate on the Lakers, Patrick Beverly, stepped in to defend the post.Along with stating that the facilityis shared by players across the league following the Clippers’ move to the Intuit Dome, Beverlygave insightas to James’ potential mindset for posting the picture.
“Ok, check this out, man,” Beverly said, for what he believes James’ thinking was, on the Pat Bev Podcast. “Y’all sold the team. Y’all doing all these moves. ‘Don’t you think for a minute I (won’t) up and dip in a hot second, man…I’ve just seen (the Milwaukee Bucks) waive Damian Lillard. I’ve just seen (the Dallas Mavericks) trade Luka Doncic…I am Lebron James, I can choose my own destiny.'”
Beverly Came To James’ Defense
James and Beverly played together on the Lakers during part of the 2022-23 season. While they had battles in the past, especially while Beverly was on the Clippers, the two share mutual respect, sometimes.
About the picture with the Clippers logo in the background, Beverly also explained another possible reason for its appearance. He noted that, along with James’ representation, Klutch Sports, being so close to the practice courts, the Clippers no longer use the facility after they moved into their new arena.
“The practice facility is literally sitting there completely empty,” Beverly said. “It’s a mutual site that other NBA guys, you see Tyrese Maxey was there, that other NBA guys can work out there, that it won’t be frowned upon.”
Beverly also cited that James was working out in Cleveland earlier in the offseason. While that also sparked some controversy, it was the Clippers logo that stirred up the most recent buzz.
“He worked out in Cleveland, he took a picture,” Beverly added. “So now, he has to work out at a certain gym with no logos around just to please the fans.”
Regardless of whether the post meant to showcase James’ offseason workouts or send a message to the Lakers, it got people’s attention.
LeBron’s Lakers Future
So much can be said about James’ future with the Lakers, especially with the news coming out over the past week since Doncic signed his extension with the team. While there isn’t a shortage of rumors and speculation, ESPN recently wrote about James’ options for the future.
“Then there are the championship-caliber teams Cleveland, New York and Dallas, that only have the veterans minimum exception to offer in free agency. The Warriors would have the non-tax midlevel exception to offer,” Bobby Marks wrote. “But remember, James will have earned $584 million on the court after his contract with the Lakers expires. Which begs the question: Does the chance at a fifth championship outweigh another big payday?”
Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka also commented on the 40-year-old at Doncic’s press conference,with a different perspective fromthat of the expectations that James will leave next summer.
“All the interactions we’ve had with LeBron and his camp, Rich (Paul) in particular, have been positive and supportive,” Pelinka said.”We want to respect his ability to come up with his timetable on that. I think that’s really important. But if he had a chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania said months ago that James expects to play at least this next season, but his son, Bryce James, potentially coming into the league in 2026, could mean he stays in the NBA longer.
“If (LeBron James) feels at some point next year, Bryce James might be an NBA player, might be a draft-eligible player, does he extend that window?” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show.
In spite of the rumors, speculation, and Instagram posts, James remains with the Lakers, set to enter the final year of his current contract.