Brian Windhorst on whether LeBron James will leave Lakers this summer
Brian Windhorst on whether LeBron James will leave Lakers this summer
One of the first things the Los Angeles Lakers need to do this summer is get an answer from LeBron James on what he plans to do with his basketball career moving forward. He has a player option for next season, and he can either play on it or opt out and sign a slightly longer new contract.
Of course, he could also decide to leave the Lakers or simply retire, but many, if not most, expect him to be back next season and to be wearing a Purple and Gold uniform. However, things have clearly shifted for the franchise after it acquired Luka Doncic, as its priority is now to build a team for and around Doncic rather than James.
Brian Windhorst, who has covered James for over 20 years, is one of those who doubts the 40-year-old superstar is going anywhere. He said on "The Dan Patrick Show" that he sees James staying put.
"I would never cement it just because the Lakers are pivoting a little bit now," Windhorst said. "Not a little bit. They've pivoted to Luka. And so that makes their medium-term future a little bit harder to predict, but LeBron has demonstrated repeatedly, time after time after time, his priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles.
"Unless the Lakers did something to him to change the way he feels about them, which is not their MO, I don't see that happening."
James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game this season. Barring a major injury, he clearly seems to have quite a bit left in his tank and can probably continue to play at or near his current level for at least one more season.
He reportedly did suffer a sprained MCL in L.A.'s final playoff game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves a few weeks ago, but it isn't expected to hamper his offseason training regimen or his plans moving forward.
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