The two Lakers who collected gold medals in this year’s Olympics have differing plans for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. LeBron James, who won MVP honors while leading Team USA to a 6-0 record, responded “I can’t see myself playing in L.A.” when reporters asked about the possibility, tweets Marc J. Spears of Andscape. However, Anthony Davis said “I think so,” per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link).
James’ outlook makes sense considering that he’ll turn 40 later this year and will be 43 when it’s time for the 2028 Olympics. Even after signing a new two-year contract with the Lakers, there’s a good chance he’ll be retired – and possibly part of a team’s ownership group – four years from now.
Davis is only 31 and should have a few more years of high-level basketball left, assuming his body holds up. He played 76 games last season, his highest total in four years, and was able to avoid significant injuries. It’s possible that all three of Team USA’s centers — Davis, Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo — will return to the team for 2028.
There’s more on the Lakers:
- After watching James perform at an elite level during the Olympics, Dan Wolken of USA Today calls out Lakers management for not putting a better team around him. While James has lost some of the athleticism he had at his physical peak, Woken notes that he’s still an exceptional passer who knows how to make the right plays and can drive to the basket as well as anyone when he needs to. Wolken criticizes general manager Rob Pelinka for not making any moves to improve the roster around James and basically wasting the final years of his career.
- Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report suggests a three-team trade that would give the Lakers some additional depth and create a way to sign free agent guard Markelle Fultz. Pincus’ proposal sends D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish and Christian Wood to the Hornets, who would ship Tre Mann and Nick Richards to L.A. and Vasilije Micić to the Jazz. Utah would also receive a 2031 protected first-rounder from the Lakers. L.A. would get trade exceptions worth $13.8MM for Russell and $3MM for Wood, while Charlotte would get a 2025 first-rounder from the Jazz (the second best of the three they own) and a $1.1MM trade exception for Richards. Pincus argues that the move makes the Lakers younger while giving them proven backups at point guard and center. Fultz can add backcourt depth by signing a contract starting at the $5.2MM taxpayer mid-level exception.
- The G League South Bay Lakers have parted ways with head coach Dane Johnson, the team announced (via Twitter). Johnson served as the Lakers’ Summer League coach last month in Las Vegas.
They sold the better team, kinda hard to just buy it back, it’s not a Wal- Greens
It’s easy to criticize Rob, almost too easy, but making a trade for Cam Johnson Grant or Kuzma is not the answer today anywhere outside 2k circles
It would depend what they’d have send back but if the Lakers could pull off a Jerami Grant trade that might make a difference or at least give them a punchers chance. AD and LeBron are still two of the top 15 players in the league. I can’t see Kuzma Johnson moving the needle though.
“I cant see myself playing in LA” – that also applies to the Lakers, this year.
When the Lakers are near last place, near the deadline:
Warriors trade: Andrew Wiggins and Brandin Podziemski
Lakers trade: Lebron James
We need more of that Steph/Lebron pnr!! I neeeed more!!!
Lol oh now you need more? It’s best for L.A and GS to target the in season tournament lol. Perhaps Silver can anoint play in teams as playoff teams, that’s the Warriors only chance.
LeBron is going to need a couple more billion if he wants to own a team.
Maybe not. Was only reading last week this article about some group LBJ is in considering buying none other than Boston, which would be wild. More than likely clickbait, still quite the interesting read.
I’d rather have d-lo and the first than that awful package from Charlotte and Fultz (who can’t shoot). They do need to jettison those other salaries and I’m stunned they haven’t pulled that off yet with a package including multiple 2nd rounders. Call me crazy, But D-lo has some value… he’s not worthless.