Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James believes one moment solidified him as the greatest basketball player of all time.

James sat down with TNT's Kenny Smith before the 2022 NBA All-Star Game and was asked what makes a player the greatest of all time. He said he knew he was the "GOAT" when he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016. 

"At that moment I was like I'm the greatest basketball player people have ever seen. ... Doing something that's never been done in the history of the sport." 🐐 @KingJames sits down with @TheJetonTNT to discuss what makes a GOAT pic.twitter.com/KcbU4HfPuU

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 21, 2022

This isn't the first time James has expressed this sentiment. On More Than an Athlete in 2018, he said defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals made him the greatest to ever do it.

"That's probably one of the only times in my career I felt like, 'Oh s--t, like, you did something special,'" James said.

What @kingjames considers being the GOAT 🐐 ⁣
⁣
New episode of More Than An Athlete out on @espn+. pic.twitter.com/7XSQ2GpOVo

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) December 30, 2018

James and the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Warriors in seven games for the first title in franchise history. They accomplished the feat against a Golden State team that set the record for regular-season wins with 73.

Of his four championships, the 2016 Finals was one of James' most memorable. He averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from deep.

After going down 3-1 in the series, James put on a show in Game 5, scoring 41 points to preserve the Cavs' title hopes. Kyrie Irving also scored 41 points to help Cleveland stay alive for Game 6.

James put up 41 points again in Game 6 to force Game 7, where he finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to help Cleveland secure the title. 

The 37-year-old is in the 19th season of a Hall of Fame career. While his Lakers are struggling at ninth in the Western Conference, he's having one of his best statistical seasons.

James is averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from deep in 41 games. He hasn't averaged at least 29 points since the 2009-10 season. 

While many continue to argue that Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, the debate likely won't be settled until James' career comes to a close. 

All-Star Weekend in Cleveland gave Los Angeles Lakers fans a break from watching their 27-31 team struggle through a challenging season. That respite was interrupted with three notable items on the potential future of LeBron James.

In an interview with Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, James acknowledged he could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third time. "The door's not closed on that," James said. "I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing. I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I'm free."

James also told gathered media that his future will dovetail with his son's potential NBA career. Wherever Bronny James lands, "that's where I'll be."

LeBron's going wherever Bronny goes 🤝

(via @ByJasonLloyd) pic.twitter.com/lFEGnLxJxN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2022

And for good measure, James went out of his way to praise Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti as "the MVP over there," noting how well the team has drafted, dating back to Kevin Durant when the team was still in Seattle as the SuperSonics.

LeBron says Sam Presti is the real MVP in OKC. 👀 pic.twitter.com/GRZzLWhdl8

— theScore (@theScore) February 19, 2022

So what's going on? Nothing to see here? Is James just sharing his thoughts on some random topics? Or do Lakers fans have something serious to worry about?

In short, they do. The marriage between the Lakers and James is in a precarious spot. The relationship between Klutch Sports, led by James' agent Rich Paul, and the franchise is at its lowest point.

Decisions made in July, August and ahead of the February 10 trade deadline have led to a dysfunctional situation. And it’s becoming increasingly clear the Lakers need to come to terms early with James—August 4, specifically—or part ways. 

That's when James is eligible for a two-year extension that could max out at $97.1 million through the 2024-25 season.

If he doesn't extend, James will hit free agency in 2023. The Cavaliers might be able to get to $36.4 million in cap space in an early projection, roughly $10 million short of what the Lakers can pay James. A move or two (trading Lauri Markkanen) could bridge that gap, with a potential starting lineup of All-Stars Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and James, plus young talents Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro.

Bronny James will be draft-eligible ahead of the 2024-25 season. James, the father, may prefer a one-year extension with the Lakers or a one-season contract with the Cavaliers to time free agency with his son's rookie year.

It's also worth noting that either the NBA or National Basketball Players Association can opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement by December 15, ending the deal after the 2022-23 season instead of 2023-24. But even if the one-and-done rule is discarded, it may not be in time for Bronny James to join the 2023 draft class (though it's not entirely out of the question).

Having polled several executives, Bronny James probably projects to be a second-round pick at this point, though it's too early to say with any certainty. A team could reach for the son to lure the father.

Notably, Los Angeles will only keep its first-round pick in 2024 if the New Orleans Pelicans choose to delay the Lakers' obligation to 2025, as part of the blockbuster deal that brought in Anthony Davis. The Lakers don't have their own second-rounder (owed to the Memphis Grizzlies) but do have one from the Washington Wizards in the Russell Westbrook trade (the lower selection between the Wizards and Grizzlies).

Drafting Bronny James could solve some of the issues between the Lakers and his father. But 2024 is a long way off, and the Lakers need to have a clear decision on James well before then. 

In the context of the Lakers' drama this season, James' praise of Presti could be seen as a passive-aggressive swipe at Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka.

According to multiple NBA sources, Klutch is not happy with Pelinka. The sentiment has long percolated, but it reached a boil when Pelinka refused to trade Westbrook and a future first-round pick (likely 2027) for Houston Rockets guard and Klutch client John Wall.

The move didn't make sense for the Lakers from a basketball standpoint as a significant upgrade over Westbrook, even though Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game last year. Wall hasn't played this season, with the Rockets focusing on developing younger players. From the Klutch point of view, the Lakers would get their client out of a bad situation in Houston and undo the Westbrook mistake.

Last summer, James met with Westbrook, agreeing that a team-up would work in Los Angeles, per a source privy to the details of the meeting. Pelinka was close to acquiring Buddy Hield from the Sacramento Kings but pivoted to Westbrook at the last moment ahead of the 2021 NBA draft.

A strong executive will make the right choice for the franchise, even if that means rebuffing the pressure from the team's biggest star. The blame doesn't fall on James' broad shoulders but on the front office that agreed with him that it was the move to make. The results have not been fruitful, though the team has yet to field a healthy roster this season (then again, if a team puts 77.7 percent of its payroll into three players, depth to overcome injury is going to be in short supply).

Would Wall have made a difference? Maybe not on the floor, but it would have for Klutch. Instead, the Lakers are wasting one of the few precious years left in 37-year-old James' career (from a certain point of view). He's already begun to slow in Los Angeles, with groin and ankle injuries that have cost him serious time over the past few seasons.

On the court, he's still a powerhouse. The Lakers need to decide how long they should stay in the LeBron James industry. Should the Lakers pay James into his 40s?

Los Angeles has kept its books clean for the 2023 offseason. If Talen Horton-Tucker opts out of his contract ahead of 2023-24, the Lakers will only have Davis under contract and possibly $72 million in cap space. Should James return, that drops to about $26 million, well below max space for any top free agent.

With James' extension looming, the Lakers aren't going to be able to play both sides for much longer. The team's books won't look very different this summer should Westbrook opt into his final year at $47.1 million. Keeping standout acquisition Malik Monk may also prove problematic, as the most the Lakers should be able to offer will be the taxpayer mid-level exception at roughly $6.3 million.

The good news is that most teams will not have cap space in July. But that may not matter. If the handful that might (Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Thunder) choose not to pursue Monk, any team with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (~$10.3 million starting) would be able to offer more than the Lakers.

Even so, bringing back the same team can't be ideal given this season's performance. Will Monk (or a replacement with the tax mid-level) and a different assortment of minimum players yield a different result? The Lakers don't even have a draft pick in June, with the Pelicans or Grizzlies getting the first-rounder and the Spurs the second.

Westbrook's massive expiring contract could make him a viable trade asset. Perhaps a team might value what he brings on the court on a short-term contract. More reasonably, the Lakers may need to find a franchise looking to dump long-term salary.

Are the Indiana Pacers going to turn over more of their veteran roster? Players like Malcolm Brogdon and Hield have large, multiyear deals that may not fit the Pacers' restructuring. Westbrook, along with at least a first-round pick (possibly a pair in 2027 and 2029), might be attractive. Indiana could keep Westbrook for the season or buy him out to develop younger guards like Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte. That's the kind of move the Lakers might need to pursue if James commits to staying.

Or perhaps the New York Knicks will look to make changes after a difficult year. The Lakers could help the Knicks get out of contracts like Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel or even Julius Randle. The Philadelphia 76ers shopped Tobias Harris' large contract in a trade before landing James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets. Will the Sixers try again to shed that money this summer?

And that Wall swap will certainly be available in the offseason if the Lakers decide to get back in bed with Klutch. That's the crux of the issue. Do the Lakers reinvest in James, in which case trading Westbrook may be necessary, even if the returning contracts are ugly long-term?

If not, the Lakers will look to protect their future picks and cap space in 2023. If James doesn't sign an extension, the team may need to consider trading him for value instead of letting him walk without any compensation in return.

Klutch represents Davis, who can exit his contract as early as the 2024 offseason. Maybe the Lakers would start entirely from scratch and trade both stars. What could James and Davis bring back to the Lakers if available? That's too much meat for one article to explore.

If the answer is blowing it up, the Lakers do have the 2023 first-round pick (although the Pelicans can swap if L.A. bottoms out).

Whatever the answer, the team needs to have clarity ahead of the draft in June and free agency in July. By the time James has to put ink to paper in August, the bulk of the offseason moves will be complete.

                    

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland isn't buying the idea LeBron James could return for a third stint with the Cavs.

Garland laughed when asked about that prospect by Jason Lloyd of The Athletic and said he doesn't expect it to happen. He added the current generation of Cleveland players are focused on making the playoffs without LeBron having to lead the way.

"Our guys want to make our own legacy," Garland said Saturday. "It's a new look, a new feel. It's a rebirth in Cleveland. It would mean a lot to all of us."

James, 37, wouldn't discount the possibility of a return to the Cavaliers, telling Lloyd the "door's not closed on that," but he added the only true focus for the latter stages of his career will be trying to play at least one season with his son, 17-year-old Bronny James.

"My last year will be played with my son," he said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."

Bronny is eligible for the 2024 NBA draft, and LeBron's declaration adds a unique layer to how he'll be judged as a prospect over the next two years.

Although there would be a certain amount of symmetry if Cleveland drafts the younger James and thus brings back LeBron to close out his career, the strength of the team's core makes it unlikely.

Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have carried the team to a 35-23 record this season. The team also picked up Caris LeVert ahead of the trade deadline and will eventually get Collin Sexton back from a knee injury suffered in November.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLeP4sIrK4M

So the Cavs, for the first time in decades, are in a good position to find long-term success without James as a cornerstone piece of the roster.

That doesn't mean the front office would turn down a reunion if it becomes a possibility, but it's no longer a must-have component of a winning squad.

LeBron James said the final year of his NBA career will be played with his oldest son, Bronny.

"My last year will be played with my son," James told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. "Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point."

LeBron James is in his 19th NBA season. The four-time NBA MVP is in Cleveland, where he played for 11 years over two stints, for this weekend's All-Star Game.

Bronny James, a high school junior who starts for the nationally renowned Sierra Canyon School boys basketball team, will be draft-eligible in two more years.

LeBron James is signed with the Lakers through the 2022-23 season. With Bronny James eligible for the 2024 NBA draft, LeBron could sign a one-year deal somewhere (or extend his contract with L.A. through 2023-24) and then wait and see where his son lands.

LeBron James would turn 40 during the 2024-25 season, which would mark his 22nd NBA campaign.

Bronny James is a highly touted class of 2023 prospect. Per 247Sports, he's a 4-star recruit who ranks 34th overall in his class and sixth among combo guards.

Fathers and sons have played in the NBA, but never at the same time. That has happened in MLB (Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr.; Tim Raines Sr. and Jr.) and the NHL (Gordie Howe with his sons Marty and Mark Howe). The Griffeys notably played together for the 1990 Seattle Mariners and hit back-to-back home runs against the California Angels.

Perhaps LeBron and Bronny James could make some history themselves in a few years time. It's possible the timeline could be expedited if the NBA changes its one-and-done rule, but as Lloyd wrote, that would seem "unlikely."

LeBron James will forever be a Cleveland Cavaliers legend no matter what happens the rest of his career, but his time playing for Ohio's NBA team may not be fully in the rearview mirror.

"The door's not closed on that," James told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic when discussing a potential return to Cleveland. "I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing, I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I'm free."

James is under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers through the 2022-23 campaign.

Perhaps the biggest factor in James' future will be where his son, Bronny, eventually ends up if he reaches the NBA level.

The younger James would be eligible for the 2024 NBA draft if the one-and-done rule is still in place when he finishes playing at Sierra Canyon in 2023. LeBron did not shy away from his desire to suit up with his son at the game's highest level.

"My last year will be played with my son," James said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."

It isn't difficult to envision an NBA team selecting Bronny in the draft as much for his own skill set as the opportunity to convince his father to join in free agency. After all, the older James is on the shortest of short lists of the best players in NBA history and is still playing at an All-Star level even at 37 years old.

From Cleveland's perspective, the idea of James returning for something of a farewell season is surely an intriguing one.

He suited up for the Cavaliers for the first seven seasons of his career and led them to the 2007 NBA Finals. He then returned to the team that drafted him after four seasons with the Miami Heat and led it to a dramatic championship in the 2015-16 campaign and three more NBA Finals.

Cleveland is a contender this season with a 35-23 record and a young core that features All-Star Darius Garland. It isn't a stretch to say a veteran James could be the difference between an early playoff exit and a deep run when some of the young core has more experience.

It would be quite the full-circle moment for his career if he did return to the Cavaliers, especially if he got to play with his son.            

The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James delivered high praise to Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic as they prepare to team up at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

"I love everything about his game," James told reporters Saturday. "I love everything about him. The way he plays the game reminds me of the way I play the game."

Lakers’ LeBron James on Mavericks’ Luka Doncic: “The way he plays the game reminds me of the way I play the game. We’re triple threats. We rebound, we pass, which is the number one thing on our mind. … and we’ll put 40 on you too if you disrespect us.” pic.twitter.com/9vrxm4Zrvq

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 19, 2022

James, the captain for Team LeBron, selected Doncic for his All-Star squad this weekend and has long been a fan of the 22-year-old Slovenian.

"I love his game, his ability to not only create shots for himself; but you guys know I love the fact that he can get great looks for his teammates," James said in 2019. "That's what I thrive on, that's what I've always believed in, and he just plays the game the right way."

Doncic is enjoying another terrific season for the Mavs. He's averaged 27.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.0 assists across 44 games for Dallas, which is fifth in the Western Conference with a 35-24 record.

The fourth-year, do-it-all guard is making his third straight All-Star appearance. He's also been selected to the All-NBA first team each of the past two years.

Doncic was happy LeBron picked him for this year's midseason showcase.

"He's one of the best players to ever play this game," Doncic told Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News. "As a kid, I look up to him, so it's really a special moment when he picks me. I'm really glad that he picks me."

After Sunday's game, which is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET tip on TNT, the versatile playmakers will go back to being rivals in the crowded battle for playoff positioning in the West.

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly hopeful Anthony Davis will recover from his foot injury before the end of the regular season. 

Appearing on NBA Today on Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski reported LA's "hope is" Davis will be back on the floor ahead of the playoffs. 

Davis initially suffered what was referred to as an ankle injury in his team's Feb. 16 game against the Utah Jazz. It was later revealed to be a mid-foot sprain that would keep him out at least four weeks.

It continues an unlucky year for the forward, who also missed over a month with a knee injury earlier this season. Wrist and thumb issues have also limited him at times in 2021-22.

Davis has only played 37 games this year, although he's been effective when healthy with averages of 23.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

After only playing 36 games in 2020-21, durability remains a major concern for the superstar.

The eight-time All-Star is still one of the best big men in the NBA when active, making an impact on both ends of the court. Just two years ago, he was a key part of the Lakers taking home the NBA title.

Without him, Los Angeles has been forced to rely on Dwight Howard and undersized forwards like Stanley Johnson and Trevor Ariza to handle minutes down low. It's put the team at a significant disadvantage trying to contend in the Western Conference.  

The Lakers currently sit at 27-31, good for the No. 9 seed out West.

Adam Sandler is going back into the world of sports movies, with the help of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. 

Sandler dropped the trailer for his new Netflix movie Hustle on Friday:

https://twitter.com/AdamSandler/status/1494689773050499073

The movie, which is co-produced by James' Springhill Entertainment company, stars Sandler as a former basketball scout who finds a streetball player in Spain and tries to use him to get back into the NBA. 

It also features several current NBA players, including Juancho Hernangomez and Kyle Lowry. 

During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show in August (h/t Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire), Sandler said that Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, Matisse Thybulle, Tyrese Maxey and Doc Rivers will be in the movie. 

Tobias Harris on the set of Adam Sandler’s new movie being filmed in South Philadelphia. 🎥 🍿 #HereTheyCome | u/danimal1 pic.twitter.com/PYXh7St217

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) August 26, 2021

This marks Sandler's second foray into the world of basketball for one of his projects. Uncut Gems wasn't specifically about basketball, but its climax was centered around the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Sandler is no stranger to sports movies, having starred in Happy Gilmore and the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard. 

Hustle will be the fourth movie produced by James' company, after What's My Name: Muhammad Ali, Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street and Space Jam: A New Legacy. It will premiere on Netflix on June 10. 

Members of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team will be honored during halftime of the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland on Sunday, and Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson believes L.A. will have the most impressive presence.

In an interview with Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated, Johnson said there is "no question" the Lakers have the best players on the 75th Anniversary Team and added that it's "not even close."

Spears asked about the rival Boston Celtics, and while Johnson acknowledged that they are high on the list as well, he expressed his belief that the collection of Lakers talent on the 75th Anniversary Team is unmatched.

"Now, you look up and shoot, outside of [Celtics legend] Bill [Russell], we got all the other dominant centers," Johnson said. "I mean, man, oh, man, I mean the Lakers, come on, man. Kobe [Bryant], Jerry [West], LeBron [James] now. I mean, oh, man, [James] Worthy. Come on now. It’s just too many Lakers."

Of the 75 players on the anniversary team, 17 of them played for the Lakers at some point during their career.

Johnson, Bryant, West, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain are some of the most notable Lakers on the team. All of them are Hall of Famers with multiple championships to their credit.

Remarkably, four current Lakers players are on the team as well in LeBron, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. While Westbrook and Anthony are in the midst of their first year with the team, James and Davis cemented their place in Lakers history by leading them to a championship two seasons ago.

As great as the Lakers have been over the course of NBA history, the Celtics actually have them beat in 75th Anniversary Team representation with 20 players on the squad.

The Lakers and Celtics are tied for the most championships all time with 17 apiece, although the Lakers have more NBA Finals appearances with 32 to the Celtics' 21.

Determining the best franchise in NBA history is like splitting hairs between the Lakers and Celtics, and while Johnson feels strongly about the Lakers having the best players, that is likely too close to call as well.

Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will be reevaluated in four weeks after being diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain.

Davis is one of the NBA's most impactful players when healthy. He's an eight-time All-Star and a four-time All-NBA first-team selection who's averaging 23.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 blocks in 37 appearances during the 2021-22 season.

Injuries have been a consistent factor throughout his career, though. He's played more than 70 games only twice across 10 NBA seasons. That includes numerous absences since joining the Lakers ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, with mostly ailments of the minor variety.

He suffered an ankle injury in a Feb. 16 game against the Utah Jazz, the team's final contest before the All-Star break.

Anthony Davis goes down grabbing his right ankle. He was helped off the court and headed straight to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/c60eXALIIl

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 17, 2022

L.A. will use a variety of frontcourt options to fill the void. Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan are set to see more minutes when the team is seeking traditional center play, while Carmelo Anthony will play when it is seeking to stretch the floor.

The Lakers have struggled to build any level of consistency throughout the season, and injuries to key players are one of the key factors in that generally mediocre play. An extended absence for Davis will further compound those issues.