LeBron James and ex-teammate Anthony Davis share same cryptic posts about 'goodbyes' amid rumored Lakers rift
'Becoming the best version of yourself comes with a lot of goodbyes,' read the posts.
Both clients of Klutch Sports' Rich Paul, James and Davis were teammates on the 2019-2020 Los Angeles Lakers team that won an NBA title in the league's COVID bubble. The two remained together in LA until last season, when Davis and others were sent to Dallas in exchange for Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.
Since then, James has picked up his $52.6 million option to remain with the Lakers in 2025-26.
But just when it looked like 40-year-old was ready to make one last run at an NBA title alongside Doncic, Paul dropped the first in a series of subtle hints that James might be unhappy.
'LeBron wants to compete for a championship,' Paul told ESPN in June. 'He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.
'We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him.'
Paul did not elaborate and it remains unclear what James' specific issue is with a Lakers youth movement centering around a 26-year-old Doncic, who has already reached one NBA Finals with the Mavericks.
Suspicions about James' situation with the Lakers were further enflamed on July 31 when he showed himself working out in front of a Clippers logo.
But it's the Mavs that may hold the most intrigue for James, due to the presence of Davis and another former teammate, Kyrie Irving, with whom he previously won a title in Cleveland.
Dallas also boasts first-overall pick Cooper Flagg, considered by many to be a generational talent.
James can be traded despite recently opting into the final year of his contract, although any deal would be difficult to put together given his salary and the NBA's cap rules. And any deal that could send James to Dallas would almost certainly need to involve another team.
Besides, the Lakers did improve this offseason with the additions of gritty combo guard Marcus Smart and ex-Portland center Deandre Ayton, who was actually taken ahead of Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Lakers were 15-8 with both James and Doncic in the lineup together last season. Whether that's a foundation for 2025-26, or just a small chapter in James' illustrious carer, will likely be determined in the two months before he begins his 23rd season.
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