Lakers superstar LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for the better part of the last two decades and is happy to continue in that unofficial role until he retires, as Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports writes.
“I’ve held that title of ambassador,” James said. “Nobody told me to do it, but I felt like if I wasn’t gonna do it, who was gonna do it? So I took that responsibility, and I’ll continue to do it till I’m done playing the game.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver tells Goodwill that he’s “not prepared to talk about the post-LeBron era” yet, since James is still playing at an All-NBA level and presumably has multiple strong seasons left in him. However, he’s not worried about having to prepare for a leadership void among the game’s superstars.
“At some point, a new player or players will emerge, I think, [to] take that leadership mantle in the league. It seems they always do,” Silver said. “I’m just not prepared, even in the slightest, to start thinking about the league without LeBron, because he continues to be as committed as ever to the competition, to the league overall.”
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Danny Leroux of The Athletic takes a look ahead at the 2022 offseason, identifying the teams that project to have the most cap flexibility. As Leroux outlines, the Pistons and Magic remain the best bets to create significant cap room, while teams like the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Pacers, and Grizzlies could potentially join them, but have more variance.
- Veteran big man Thon Maker spoke to Alec Strum of NetsDaily about his role with the Long Island Nets – Brooklyn’s G League affiliate – and his efforts to make it back to the NBA. Maker has played a limited role in Long Island so far, averaging 5.8 PPG and 5.1 RPG in 15 games (17.4 MPG), with a dismal .360 FG% (.133 3PT%).
- Mike Schmitz of ESPN (Insider link) updated his NBA rookie power rankings over the All-Star break, providing best-case comps for Evan Mobley (Anthony Davis), Cade Cunningham (Luka Doncic), Scottie Barnes (Scottie Pippen), and other standout rookies.
Lakers best move would be give OKC a pick, even 2 if need be to absorb Westbrooks next year. Take all the decent scraps off their roster you can. Dort, Poku, Favors, and use the created cap room to try an sign Beal.
The Thunder arent giving up Poku no matter what LA gives them. It would look like:
La: Favors, Kenny Hustle, Muscala, Krejci, 2 or 3 seconds
OKC: 2 1sts (One lightly protected) and Westbrook
Why would okc want Westbrook? Just cause he played here and will have his number retired here doesn’t mean he fits into any sort of short term plan.
He’d have to come off the bench and play limited minutes….not happening for either side.
Why did they want Kemba or Horford? Salary dumb for picks man. You know what this is.
LeBron going to ask for a trade this off season. It’s coming
You have to remember the Klutch Sports connection. It won’t just be him it will be him and AD.
I wish he would just retire
Well keep wishing because Lebron wont retire for at least 10 more years
If Scottie Barnes is Scottie Pippen, then Kuminga is Michael Jordon
Ha. Ya I’m not really buying that comp either.
Scottie Barnes ain’t no Scottie Pippen…..
Let’s not act like Pippen played even one minute of positive basketball in the NBA before 23. Barnes is 20 and will have 1000’s of points, rebounds and assists before he even reaches the thebage Scottie Pippen first made it to the League.
Confirmed- Zion is better than Pippin because he’s younger than 23.
Laker fans are finding out the real LeBron he doesn’t have a loyal bone in his body. They should of known since he did it to Cavs twice and that’s his home town team. Its like a woman who is dating a guy who has kids with 3 different women and told buy baby its different this time.
It’s ultimately a business, so I’m not against him going somewhere else for his last few years. There’s just not a glaring team situation I can see him going to anytime soon.
You don’t think we knew that going in? I’ll take a title and bad years than the straight bad years we were in line for.
LeBron in Gleague with Bronito
LeBron will be taking his talents back to Cleveland this off-season. Before the trade deadline next season, AD will be demanding a trade to Dallas or GS. The Lakers will become the Knicks. But won’t be irrelevant for as long. Because they have better ownership in place.
And the Cavs will trade them who?
The team has a nice thing going with their young players and the coaching staff. Lebron would immediately mess that up.
LeBron has an opt out after every season of his contract. LeBron likes going to teams that have a lot of talent, then make that team trade everyone.
There’s a few teams in theory that could facilitate the Westbrick trade in the offseason. None of them are teams looking to contend. It’d be buyout-only type situations. Key is finding the trade that actually makes the Lakers a contender next season.
Blazers, Pistons, Magic, Spurs, and OKC could all in theory facilitate a trade as a 3rd.
Here’s a list of contracts teams probably want to move and would make some sense:
Randle + Fournier. Brogdon + Hield. Gallinari + Bogdan. Dinwiddie + Bertans.
I think no matter what you’re attaching (2) 1sts and probably THT in some trades.
Pistons not taking Westbrook.
Only thing Lakers can do is salary dump Westbrook for Cap Space. They will not get close to equal return for him in a trade.
Bron
Bronny
MIAMI