Despite not making the playoffs, the Lakers are somehow still the most talked about team in the NBA. Even after failing to make the postseason, Los Angeles has had a variety of problems off the court. The Lakers, rather than being contenders, are the Kardashians of the NBA. Every week there’s a new issue, rumor, or something to show us why they’re so dysfunctional. But, a huge reason as to why they’re so relevant is because they have the best player in the NBA: LeBron James. At a point, however, enough becomes enough. For the benefit of the organization, the Lakers must look to trade LeBron.
Not An Attractive Free Agent Destination
When anyone talks about the Lakers, it’s usually surrounding free agency. They ‘ve been linked to Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, and even Kyrie Irving. Los Angeles is expected to make a run at one of these players, but the competition is stacked. They have the Nets, Knicks, and Clippers to worry about. And, who knows what other teams can be making a run at these franchise-changing players.
But, the Lakers simply aren’t as attractive as the previously mentioned teams. One thing players first look at in a team is whether or not they can win. When you look at the Nets and Clippers, they’re both playoff teams. Whether it was because of LeBron’s injury or not, the Lakers finished 37-45 – 10th in the West. The Nets and Clippers? Both were playoff teams who lost in the first round. If we’re talking specifically about the Clippers, I already discussed why they are the NBA’s top free agency destination. Since then, they took the defending champion Warriors to the most games of their playoff opponents (six games). And, that was WITH Kevin Durant healthy.
The Nets, on the other hand, have a team equipped to be a threat in the East. With D’Angelo Russell potentially re-signing, that leaves the threat of putting another star alongside him. As a team that finished with 42-40 record (sixth in the East), they’re more set for the future than the Lakers are. There’s no need to mention the fact that Brooklyn is still a large-market team either. They simply have all the tools a superstar would want. They have a roster that, with a star, can potentially win the East. Brooklyn has a HC, in Kenny Atkinson, who did a terrific job with a team that went 28-54 last season.
And, what do the Lakers have to boast? The fact that they “would’ve made the playoffs if LeBron was healthy.” This is about why the Lakers should consider trading LeBron James. A big part of that is that they may strike out in free agency. It’s not about how bad the Lakers are. It’s about how good other teams look to free agents. If you’re a Kevin Durant or a Kyrie Irving, you have to wonder what the Lakers bring other than good weather and LeBron James. Unlike the Lakers, teams such as the Clippers and Nets now have a winning culture, putting them ahead of the Lakers.
Why Would A Superstar Play Alongside LeBron James?
The Lakers want to sign a marquee free agent. Before looking at a Kemba Walker, they’ll look at a Kyrie Irving. Before looking at a Tobias Harris, they’ll look at a Kawhi Leonard and so on. Los Angeles has made it clear that they don’t want a star. They want a superstar. But, why would a superstar come to the Lakers to play alongside LeBron James? Players like Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant are looking to stake their claims as the best players in the NBA. Beyond that, they’re players who can be the best on a championship team.
When you look at LeBron James, you recognize that he’s the best. Whether it’s basketball, football, or sports reporting, you want to be the best you can be. The same holds true here. There’s no reason for a superstar of the previously mentioned players’ caliber to play alongside LeBron. Maybe they’ll win more games, but LeBron is simply stealing the spotlight away from what those players are capable of.
It’s evident that LeBron makes his teammates better on the court. But, at the same time, if you’re a star, you should expect a massive stat decrease. Why? Because no matter what team it is, LeBron will be the man. And, that’s what I think drives players away from the Lakers. They don’t want to play with the player that they’re trying to eclipse. Trading LeBron won’t just get you critical assets, it’ll give these players more of a reason to join the Lakers. Instead of having the extra spotlight and media that LeBron brings, players like Durant and/or Kawhi would have the team to themselves.
On-Going Front Office Issues
Back in April, Magic Johnson stepped down as the Lakers’ President of Basketball Operations. Since then, everything has gone downhill. Part of the reason the Lakers should consider trading LeBron James is because of the mess their front office is in. To me, if there are problems in the front office, it’ll translate onto the court. First of all, no player should want to come to a franchise that can’t even get their front office in order. Second, LeBron can’t be a part of this Kardashian-like drama.
The problems with this front office stem from Rob Pelinka being referred to as a pathological liar. Basketball is a business, and we all recognize that. But, when you mess with one’s family and their living, that’s a problem. It was recently reported that Larry Nance Jr. and his wife were planning on buying a house during his time with the Lakers. He went straight to Rob Pelinka to discuss rumors that he was on the trading block. Not only did Pelinka say he wouldn’t trade him unless the Lakers landed “one of the game’s three best players,” but he also reportedly said that if the Warriors called to trade Kevin Durant for Nance, he wouldn’t do it. Pelinka said all of these things face-to-face with Nance Jr.
Nance Jr. and his wife never reached that point even after Pelinka basically let him know he could buy the house. Then during the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline, Nance Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. And, it wasn’t for a top-three player in the league. It was for PG Isaiah Thomas and PF Channing Frye. As I said, this is a business, but Pelinka lied right to Nance Jr’s face.
Beyond that, according to Johnson himself, Pelinka betrayed him. Magic Johnson was under the impression that he had the power to make strong decisions as the President of Basketball Operations. It was agreed upon with Jeannie Buss that Johnson could both hold the position and handle his other business ventures. That wasn’t the case. And, according to Johnson, that was at the fault of Pelinka. Pelinka spread rumors accusing Johnson of not working hard enough and not being in the office more often.
This all relates back to trading LeBron James because James needs to be in an environment where the front office isn’t an issue. As bad of a franchise as Cleveland once was, it doesn’t compare to the drama going on in Los Angeles. A common theme here though is free agency. Rob Pelinka is one of the least liked executives in the entire league. Other teams reportedly don’t pick up his phone calls either. If you’re LeBron James, why would you want to be in this situation?
And, let us not forget about Jeanie Buss. She’s not fit to run the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Throughout all of this, it’s worth remembering that this is all on Buss’ watch. In terms of everything that has gone on in the franchise, it’s safe to point the finger at her. This is beyond Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.
If Magic wasn’t equipped with the power he was supposed to have, who was? That person was Linda Rambis. Rambis is the “Executive Director of Special Projects” for the Lakers and holds a significant amount of power and influence. But, to people within the Lakers circle, she’s more so known as Buss’ closest friend. Rambis has no type of basketball experience either on the court or in the office. Yet, she was part of the reason that the Lakers couldn’t sign Ty Lue as their next head coach. The coach who won a championship with LeBron wasn’t able to sign partially because of a woman who’s the owner’s best friend. These aren’t the type of things the best player in the NBA should be around.
The Lakers have always been a family business. However, it’s obvious that Buss’ inexperience is showing. LeBron came to Los Angeles for a multitude of reasons which include winning. Winning can’t be done if there’s this level of drama behind the scenes. Buss hired Magic, and later on, didn’t give him the power he was promised. He resigned through the media and didn’t even call her to let her know about the decision. Buss now has Rob Pelinka as the GM, and he’s one of the most disliked executives in the league. How does Buss expect to build a championship team around LeBron James if other NBA front offices won’t even pick up your GM’s phone calls?
Trading LeBron is evident here. That’s largely in part of all the executives previously mentioned. If the Lakers truly want to reach success, the right moves must be made. That responsibility falls on Jeanie Buss. She has to find people who actually know basketball to fill these positions. Forget Rob Pelinka, and get a general manager that you know the league respects. She has to get rid of her best friend and hire an executive director who’ll make decisions in the best interest of the team and not herself.
Time Is Running Out
We all know that LeBron James had a great season. Although he played only 55 games, the numbers spoke for themselves. However, LeBron is 34. The Lakers are in a whirlwind of dysfunctions that I don’t think LeBron can fix. No athlete cheats father time, and that includes LeBron James. There are just too many things wrong with the Lakers right now. For other teams that are looking to win an NBA Championship, they’re in the opposite position that Los Angeles is.
They’re not often in the media, nor do they resemble a sports reality show. They’re simply winning. From Jeanie Buss to Rob Pelinka, and to both Linda and Kurt Rambis, the Lakers can’t win a championship in their current state. LeBron James needs to be somewhere else. You can’t say that Anthony Davis is coming in the 2020 free agency either because Davis, at that time, will be playing with a 35-year-old LeBron James.
Build Around Your Young Core
There’s not a single team in the NBA that wouldn’t benefit from the addition of LeBron James to their roster. Trading LeBron, no matter which team, means you’ll get valuable assets in return. Whether they are young players projected to be stars or already established ones, they’re players you’ll be able to build around.
In addition to whoever the Lakers can acquire via trade, they also have their fair share of young talent. Los Angeles currently holds the fourth overall pick in this year’s NBA draft. Whether that be De’Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, or any other notable prospect, the Lakers are acquiring a cornerstone of their franchise for years to come. And, with the Chicago Bulls reportedly wanting to trade their first-round pick (seventh overall) for Lonzo Ball, this could mean another young player to add to the mix as well.
This leaves the Lakers with the notable players they’d be acquiring via the LeBron James trade, two picks in the top-10 of the draft, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, AND Kyle Kuzma. To me, there needs to be a reboot in Los Angeles. And, that has to include a rebuild of the roster.
The signing of LeBron was great for the city and the team. But, this is less about what he accomplished and more about the issues surrounding the team. Fans and media were under the assumption that the Lakers were just a superstar away from contending. No one could’ve predicted that the franchise would be in the pattern of disarray it’s in now.
L.A, Trade LeBron
LeBron James is the only superstar in the NBA that players wouldn’t play with. He’s the best basketball player in the world. With him, comes a man who wants to win. The Lakers can’t give him that right now. I believe that they’ll strike out in free agency, leaving them with no star to pair alongside LeBron. Along with that, the Lakers are the most drama-filled franchise in the NBA. The problems, especially in the front office, suppress the idea of this team winning an NBA Championship.
That’s why LeBron must be traded. The Lakers need to rebuild once again and start from scratch. As big of a star as LeBron is, they may even receive valuable pieces back to work with. Bottom line is: LeBron needs to be shipped out of Los Angeles. LBJ also does not have a no-trade clause installed in his contract. This gives Los Angeles the freedom to trade him to whatever team they desire. It’s what’s best for the organization and for what’s left of LeBron’s career.