LeBron James looks all set to end his eight-year-long association with the LA Lakers. The murmurs of him leaving at the end of the season are growing by the day. On Monday, NBA insider Jake Fischer said
that it was a ‘foregone sentiment’ in LA that LeBron would move on.
“The Lakers are ready to move on from LeBron James and I think LeBron James is ready to move on from the Lakers as well,” Fischer said on his YouTube show. “That’s kind of the foregone sentiment in Los Angeles right now about what’s to come this summer.”
Fischer had earlier claimed that even the Golden State Warriors were looking to bring LeBron and Steph Curry together one last time.
With the NBA trade deadline set for Thursday at 3 p.m., the speculation won’t last much longer. But ESPN’s Brian Windhorst doesn’t expect any deadline drama involving the Lakers star.
Windhorst said a trade is unlikely and outlined three more realistic offseason outcomes: James taking a pay cut to stay in Los Angeles, joining another team, or retiring. He put the chances of LeBron returning to the Lakers on a reduced deal at ‘around 33 percent,’ with the franchise potentially building around Luka Dončić.
Windhorst also questioned the Lakers’ short-term title prospects, suggesting they may not be contenders next season, though a longer-term window could exist, if James is still playing.
At 41, LeBron is averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists on 50.2% shooting, showing he can still make a strong impact. On Monday, he earned a 22nd consecutive call-up to the All-Stars line though as a reserve for the first time. So, whether that impact continues in purple and gold remains uncertain.
“I don’t know if they’re gonna trade LeBron or what they wanna do with LeBron. Who knows? That’ll be a shocker to see if he leaves or go anywhere,” Robinson said while speaking with Athlon Sports.
“Talking about the impossible and him going to the Warriors, but I don’t wanna see that. I wanna see LeBron retire as a Laker. I’m tired of him going to team up with everybody and hooping with guys.”
