LeBron James And The Los Angeles Lakers Are Heading Toward A Messy Divorce
Going into the 2021-2022 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers were a heavy favorite not only in the Western Conference but to win the NBA Championship. The acquisition of Russell Westbrook only stoked the flame of LeBron James and the Lakers taking home another championship. Per nbcsports.com: the Lakers were second-best odds at +350. To say this whole season has gone to hell in a handbasket is an understatement. Their odds as of today are +15000 per DraftKings Sportsbook. This Lakers team currently sits 31-42, 9th in the Western Conference, and vying for a play-in spot. This season has been an utter disappointment, and all signs should be pointing towards James wanting out of LA after this season. And I don’t blame him.
Let’s first look at how this roster is constructed. This Los Angeles Lakers team has 7 players over the age of 33 (James, Anthony, Howard, Ariza, Ellington, Augustin, and Westbrook from oldest to youngest). The youngest player on the roster is Talen Horton-Tucker at 21 but after that only 7 players under 30 (Jones, Reaves, Monk, Gabriel, Johnson, Nunn, and Davis from youngest to oldest). Over half of the players listed above have a chance to not be on the roster next season, which means a whole new batch of players will be coming in. Westbrook has proven he isn’t the guy, even though some choose to defend him. Anthony Davis is made of glass, having not played more than 62 games in the last four seasons. Anthony and Howard are shells of themselves. The rest are guys that might not be starting or even on rosters within the rest of the league. You would think that a team that might miss the playoffs can rely on the draft to build to the future. This brings me to my next point.
This team HAS NO future. As mentioned above, their youngest player is 21 but the rest are low-level talent in their mid-twenties. Aside from the players they have now, the Lakers do not have a first-round pick this season. Their pick either goes to New Orleans or Memphis, depending on where the pick falls. This team is also in salary cap hell with the massive numbers that both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have owed to them for the future. Is that Westbrook trade the worst ever? Looking back on it, maybe so. If this team seriously wants to contend, maybe they should adhere to my advice on how to fix this franchise. But we aren’t here to talk about the Lakers, the player in question is King James.
Why on earth would LeBron James WANT to stay in LA? Yes, I get it. Los Angeles has the weather, the acting opportunities, the spotlight, glamour, food, etc. This Lakers team, however, is not glamorous. This team screams first-round exit if they even do make the playoffs. Hell, James even said himself the door isn’t closed on going back to Cleveland. He has one foot out the door, Lakers fans. Accept it. Why else would he say that unless he isn’t already considering it? To be fair, there is a bit to like in Cleveland right now. Some of their key players include:
- Jarrett Allen
- Darius Garland
- Caris LeVert
- Lauri Markkanen
- Evan Mobley and more
9 players averaging double figures a night. Garland leading the team with 21ppg. Mobley and Allen securing the paint. Best of all, this team is so young. Their two oldest players are Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love, both former teammates of LeBron James. This team also has a competent coach in J.B. Bickerstaff leading this squad. In 2-3 years, this Cavs team can make some noise in the Eastern Conference. Or, by adding someone the likes of James to this team and I would argue they contend for the Eastern Conference Championship year one.
If I am LeBron James, and I am sitting in my new electric Hummer in the driveway of my mansion, I am calling Rich Paul and telling him there is no shot I am coming back to LA next year. Sorry, Savannah, sorry kids. Pack it all up. Daddy is going, going, back, back to Cleveland, Cleveland. Because as it stands, that Cavs team is so much more enticing than anything having to do with the Los Angeles Lakers. I guess Bronny should get used to the weather in Cleveland because once James returns that is where is he going to end up.
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