NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Los Angeles Lakers must think about everything else besides the feelings of LeBron James. In 5.5 seasons with the Lakers, they have a championship but other seasons were filled with disappointment. Maybe it’s time to trade their main player.
While some fans will be heartbroken, this is still a business and the Lakers are looking for another ring. Having James does increase their chances as we saw last season but how much longer can they hitch their train to a player who is reaching high mileage?
At the age of 38, James can’t outrun Father Time much longer. It’s been the same with all superstars throughout the history of the NBA. At some point, players and teams must move on. Trading James now will put the Lakers in a better position now and for the future.
While Dame Lillard and James Harden are younger, look at the packages the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers received for both. James will bring back a similar package or even greater. With the Lakers having a roster full of youth, adding value now will keep them relevant for the next 5 years or so. If James decides to either retire or leave for another team at the end of this season, then what?
At that point, they’re left with Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves as their go-to guys and that’s not good enough to make it out of the second round, especially with the growth of teams in the Western Conference. LeBron James has to go.
Some will scream that it’s about having fans in the stands but this is the Los Angeles Lakers. They can throw out a lineup of 5 Smush Parker’s and fans will still flock to the Crypot Center to see the team play. The Los Angeles Lakers are well past the entertainment stage. They’re a brand but now it’s time to start thinking about winning now and for years to come.
Should The Los Angeles Lakers Trade LeBron James
LeBron is still a force in the league but can we honestly say this Lakers team is better than the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, or even the Denver Nuggets? If you can say no to either of those 3 teams, that means this roster is not going to make the noise they’re hoping for. So why not look for what they can get by trading LeBron James?
It won’t be a grand sell for anyone, especially James, his family has strong ties to the area, and with his skid enrolled in school there, it may not be for their family lifestyle. But this is the NBA where being moved should be expected. The Lakers are doing what they have done for the past 2 seasons, and that’s struggle coming out of the gate. Many expect them to pick it up but to continue betting that they can remain healthy through an 82-game schedule, well those are odds not even the riskiest bettors will place money on.
James has a Player Option for 2024 that’s worth $51M. He will be 39. With the NBA trying to crack down on players resting, how much can his body take? Production-wise, he’s still at the top of his game with averages of 25.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting .558 percent from ther floor. But what you also see since joining the Lakers at his age are his increased attempts from 3-point range.
James was never much of a perimeter player from deep but what those numbers prove is that he’s taking the ball to the basket less and settling for jump shots to conserve energy. Not a good sign at all.
The Lakers future is tied to James no matter how you swing it. The draft picks are not there and next to Davis, there is not much in terms of viable star power. James will bring back a haul. Either players or picks that they can use to build this team back up. He brought you one title and the truth is, that’s all you’re going to get from him at this stage. Trade him now while he still has value because God forbid, an injury happens and you’re stuck with an aging player you can’t move.
