06-25-2024, 11:08 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5588906...ony-davis/
Written by Sam Amick, some interesting excerpts.
League sources say the 39-year-old has not given the Lakers any indication about what he will do..He wasn’t involved in the coaching search — never mind that it involved his podcast partner — and has made it clear that he’s in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Lakers’ offseason business
As of Wednesday, the Lakers will be able to trade up to three first-round picks along with whatever players they choose in a trade. But are they willing to, especially when it comes to the prospect of trading a player like Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, who have long since become favorites within the Lakers ownership and front office walls? Therein lies the question that will likely dictate the mood going forward.
James’ looming free agency puts him front-and-center in the Lakers’ spotlight right now, and with good reason. League sources say the 39-year-old has not given the Lakers any indication about what he will do, even if the widely held expectation around the league is that he will either return on his player option or sign a new deal. He wasn’t involved in the coaching search — never mind that it involved his podcast partner — and has made it clear that he’s in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Lakers’ offseason business and the part it might play in his decision. If he opts out, as so many expect, don’t be surprised if he takes his time in free agency from there.
As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has always said about this partnership, James’ happiness is the key to it all. Yet while some have surmised that James might be content coasting in these final Lakers years, enjoying all the benefits of living in Los Angeles while continuing to make his incredible mark on the league’s history books, league sources say he desperately wants to win at the highest of levels again. What’s more, James’ unprecedented play at this stage means he remains open to the prospect of playing two, or even three, more seasons before retiring.
As messaging goes, they didn’t exactly make it sound like a significant upgrade to the roster was happening anytime soon — whether it’s Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Portland’s Jerami Grant, Charlotte’s Miles Bridges (who will be a free agent) or someone else of that ilk. Mitchell has long been seen as a premier target for the Lakers, but, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Cavaliers are optimistic that he’ll sign a $209 million extension soon. Murray, meanwhile, was a player that the Lakers could have had at the February trade deadline if they’d been willing to put Reaves into the deal. He’s a possibility now, as well, but league sources say the Lakers’ stance on Reaves remains the same.
Written by Sam Amick, some interesting excerpts.
League sources say the 39-year-old has not given the Lakers any indication about what he will do..He wasn’t involved in the coaching search — never mind that it involved his podcast partner — and has made it clear that he’s in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Lakers’ offseason business
As of Wednesday, the Lakers will be able to trade up to three first-round picks along with whatever players they choose in a trade. But are they willing to, especially when it comes to the prospect of trading a player like Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, who have long since become favorites within the Lakers ownership and front office walls? Therein lies the question that will likely dictate the mood going forward.
James’ looming free agency puts him front-and-center in the Lakers’ spotlight right now, and with good reason. League sources say the 39-year-old has not given the Lakers any indication about what he will do, even if the widely held expectation around the league is that he will either return on his player option or sign a new deal. He wasn’t involved in the coaching search — never mind that it involved his podcast partner — and has made it clear that he’s in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Lakers’ offseason business and the part it might play in his decision. If he opts out, as so many expect, don’t be surprised if he takes his time in free agency from there.
As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has always said about this partnership, James’ happiness is the key to it all. Yet while some have surmised that James might be content coasting in these final Lakers years, enjoying all the benefits of living in Los Angeles while continuing to make his incredible mark on the league’s history books, league sources say he desperately wants to win at the highest of levels again. What’s more, James’ unprecedented play at this stage means he remains open to the prospect of playing two, or even three, more seasons before retiring.
As messaging goes, they didn’t exactly make it sound like a significant upgrade to the roster was happening anytime soon — whether it’s Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Portland’s Jerami Grant, Charlotte’s Miles Bridges (who will be a free agent) or someone else of that ilk. Mitchell has long been seen as a premier target for the Lakers, but, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Cavaliers are optimistic that he’ll sign a $209 million extension soon. Murray, meanwhile, was a player that the Lakers could have had at the February trade deadline if they’d been willing to put Reaves into the deal. He’s a possibility now, as well, but league sources say the Lakers’ stance on Reaves remains the same.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.