LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
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LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James is entering the 23rd season of his illustrious career. It will be his eighth with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Throughout his entire NBA tenure, James has been a primary offensive option. However, in recent years, he’s begun stepping into a more supportive role.
Now that Luka Doncic is in town, it would appear James is ready to make that move permanent. According to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, the veteran superstar has spent this summer developing his off-ball game.
“James has focused, sources say, on making himself more dangerous off the ball,” Irwin reported. “He has spent time getting more comfortable catching and shooting offensively and has spent even more time getting his body ready to focus more of his energy on the defensive side of the ball as Doncic will handle the primary offensive load.”
There has been a sharp uptick in James’ production from the perimeter in recent years, with him shooting 37.6% from deep this past season. With a summer of full focus and some additional work on attacking off the catch, James could emerge as the best second option in the NBA.
At this late stage in his career, James’ move to a secondary role is logical. He can still elevate his play when needed. It’s just that now, he will be able to pick his spots more frequently.
Lakers Have No Plans To Trade LeBron James
In the same article from Irwin, he explained why there’s little to no chance of James being traded ahead of his free agency next summer.
“Sources close to the team made it clear all summer no trade exists that would make them a better team, let alone one that James would waive his no-trade clause for,” Irwin reported. “Pelinka is also kicking off the Luka Doncic era and would not want to do so with a worse roster than he finished the year with last season.”
Pelinka has added Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia this summer. The Lakers roster is certainly in a stronger position than when the summer began. Furthermore, each new addition should help bring the best out of Doncic.
James Understands Lakers Trade Would Be Tough
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon James and his camp are well aware of how difficult it would be to trade him.
“It has been radio silent since James, via his agent Rich Paul, attempted to rattle the Lakers’ cages immediately after exercising his $52.6 million player option for this season,” MacMahon wrote. “The all-time leading scorer and his camp understand just how complicated a trade involving him — at his age, making that much money, with the contractual right to veto any deal — would be.”
James recently opted into his $52.6 million player option. He will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Therefore, he will likely play out his final season with the Lakers. After that, he will be free to choose a new team, or call time on his career.
For now, though, James is a member of the Lakers. And that means the goal of winning another championship in Purple and Gold will remain intact.