The Lakers are once again dealing with LeBron James summer drama, which has become an annual tradition at this point. However, with James being an unrestricted free agent, this isn’t an offseason where we can all just laugh at the passive aggressiveness.
Come the start of free agency, LeBron will no longer be a Laker and action from both sides will be required for him to return. Los Angeles has made it clear they want James back, but they aren’t the only ones interested in having LeBron on their team
next year.
On a recent episode of the “Pat McAfee Show,” LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, spoke about the interest teams across the league have shown ahead of free agency.
Now, always take what an agent says with a grain of salt. Even McAfee acknowledged that it’s in Paul’s best interest to go with a high number for interested teams as it makes things sound better for his client. Still, whether it’s 10, 12 or a few teams interested in LeBron, he is a wanted player.
This offseason, the unrestricted free agent market is very weak. Given that LeBron is coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, the list of players who can do that consistently in the NBA is small, making him clearly one of the best available options this offseason.
We don’t know which teams are officially asking about LeBron, but the Warriors have once again been linked to James.
So, it seems we will likely hear of other teams during the coming weeks, but again, it’s all part of the negotiating tactics that happen during the NBA offseason.
Perhaps this time, LeBron will leave, but he and the Lakers have always figured out how to stay together and have been united for longer than any other franchise has been with James in a single stint.
Teams will be interested and with James no longer LA’s top priority, things can get tricky. But hearing a bunch of teams calling from an agent is no reason for fans to press the panic button.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
