Lakers Rumors: Isaiah Thomas Won't Get 2nd 10-Day Contract; Multiple Teams Interested
Dec 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Isaiah Thomas #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on December 21, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers won't offer Isaiah Thomas a second 10-day contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Charania reported that "multiple teams" are expected to pursue the two-time All-Star, who has averaged 9.3 points and 1.5 assists in 25.3 minutes per game over four appearances with L.A.
The Lakers' decision is unexpected, if only because they just placed Rajon Rondo in the NBA's health and safety protocols. His absence opened a void in the backcourt, one that Thomas could continue to help address.
The 32-year-old's NBA comeback makes for a great story. Whether it was representing Team USA outside of the Olympic cycle or competing in the NBA G League, he did whatever it took to return to the Association.
Thomas dropped 19 points in his Lakers debut, showing he can still be a dynamic scorer on a given night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GyVUcnvRzo
His 30.8 field-goal percentage (22.7 percent on three-pointers) raise some concerns about his offensive efficiency, though. He's also averaging nearly as many turnovers (1.3) as he is assists.
Defense has long been a problem for the 5'9" guard, too, one that hasn't gotten any better as he aged and went under the knife for a hip injury. According to NBA.com, opponents have gone 18-of-35 from the field when he is their primary defender.
A number of teams around the league have seen their ranks depleted because of the surge of COVID-19 cases. That has opened the door for aging vets such as Thomas and younger players looking for a first shot in the NBA.
At the very least, it seems likely Thomas will get another 10-day deal with a different franchise.
Lakers' Rajon Rondo Enters NBA's COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols
Dec 26, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers' Rajon Rondo dribbles the ball during first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Los Angeles Lakers announced they placed Rajon Rondo in the NBA's health and safety protocols.
The move comes one day after Los Angeles' 122-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Rondo was absent in the defeat. His last appearance was the team's 138-110 drubbing at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
The Lakers now have four players in the protocols, with Rondo joining Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore and Austin Reaves. Malik Monk and Avery Bradley were activated ahead of Christmas Day, with Monk logging 35 minutes against the Nets.
Losing Rondo is another setback for Los Angeles at a time when it can ill afford any more bad news.
The team is riding a five-game losing streak and sits seventh in the Western Conference at 16-18. Reflecting on the Nets loss, The Athletic's Bill Oram lamented the state of L.A.'s roster and wrote how the Lakers "continue to fall flat in spite of monster performances from LeBron James."
Rondo was a valuable contributor on the 2019-20 squad that won a championship, but the 35-year-old has struggled this season. He's averaging 3.7 assists in 16.1 minutes per game but shooting 32.4 percent from the floor and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc.
On/off splits aren't a definitive indicator as to a player's value, but it's telling that the Lakers are 11.9 points per 100 possessions better on offense when Rondo is on the bench, per NBA.com.
But Los Angeles is 26th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.52), underscoring a lack of playmaking behind James and Russell Westbrook. Rondo is third on the team in assists.
Isaiah Thomas is averaging 9.3 points and 1.5 assists since signing a 10-day contract. The Lakers will need to lean on the two-time All-Star for the time being to help facilitate the offense.
Lakers' Jesse Buss Reportedly Sells Mansion Next to LeBron James in LA for $10.7M
Dec 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: Melissa Ceja (L) and Jesse Buss attend a basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 7, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/GC Images)
LeBron James and Jesse Buss will be seeing a lot less of each other outside of Lakers headquarters.
Buss, who has an ownership stake in the Lakers through his late father Jerry, sold his home this week for $10.7 million, per TMZ Sports. The 33-year-old has been James' neighbor since 2018.
The home features six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a home theater, a home gym, a wine cellar, a yoga room and an infinity pool, among other amenities.
The report did not indicate who purchased the property.
LeBron James Defends Russell Westbrook After Lakers' Loss to James Harden, Nets
Dec 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 25, 2021 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James defended Russell Westbrook against criticism after the team dropped its fifth straight game Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Westbrook finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists but made only four of his 20 shots, and the Lakers were outscored by 23 points in his 37 minutes on the floor.
"He gave us extra possessions, he gave us a lot of looks around the basket, which I know that he can't stand [failing to convert] as well," James told reporters. "But as far as the effort piece, if a guy plays hard, if a guy leaves it all out on the floor, I got no problem with that. It's a make-or-miss league."
The Lakers' Christmas loss to the Nets was particularly frustrating because Brooklyn was playing with a bare-bones roster because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the team. Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kyrie Irving are among the players who remain in health and safety protocols.
With the 16-18 Lakers sitting below .500 as the midway point of the season approaches, it's time to start reassessing the team's decision-making from last offseason—particularly the Westbrook acquisition. The Lakers have barely outscored opponents when James and Westbrook have played together this season, and they've been outscored by 2.7 points per 100 possessions when Westbrook and Anthony Davis share the floor. While the underlying numbers are better when all three stars play together, the Lakers are only 8-7 in those 15 games.
Injuries and health and safety protocols have played a part in those struggles, but it's clear something is amiss. Many viewed the Westbrook acquisition skeptically because of his need to have the ball in his hands to be effective. James, though still excellent playing without the ball, remains at his optimum effectiveness when he's controlling the offense.
Proponents of the move said Westbrook's night-in-and-night-out effort would help lessen the load on James (age) and Davis (injury-prone). That has not proved to be the case, as James and Davis are both playing their most minutes per game since joining the Lakers.
With Davis again injured and the Lakers packing their roster with aging role players, there is no obvious answer on how to lessen the load for an already disappointing team.
LeBron James After Lakers' Loss to Nets: 'Nobody's Gonna Feel Sorry for Our Record'
Dec 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 25, 2021 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers fell 122-115 to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday for their fifth straight loss, dropping their record to 16-18. After the game, LeBron James didn't mince words while discussing the team's struggles in 2021.
"Well, I’m not a very patient person, obviously. But, you know, under circumstances …without our head coach, you know, tonight we finally got a couple of our key guys back. But we’re still missing a few. We just try to stay even-keeled," James told reporters.
"Obviously this losing streak is not something that none of us want. But nobody’s gonna feel sorry for you. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for our record. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for guys that … everybody, you know, besides I think, like, Golden State and Phoenix, everybody has guys out. So you know, you just gotta, when you get your opportunity, get your number called, just make the most of it. Go out and play, play our system."
James finished Saturday's game with a season-high 39 points, in addition to nine rebounds and seven assists in 40 minutes. He entered having averaged 26.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis have also been effective this season. Westbrook entered Saturday averaging 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists per contest, while Davis is averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Still, the team could use some help outside of its big three.
Carmelo Anthony and Talen Horton-Tucker are also averaging double-digits in points, but the remainder of the roster has been highly underwhelming.
The Lakers entered Saturday's game with one of the worst offensive ratings in the league at 105.9. The team's defense has been a little better with a 108.2 rating, but it still hasn't been good enough.
All of L.A.'s struggles are somewhat surprising given the amount of changes the franchise made over the summer. The Lakers traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Westbrook, and also parted ways with several other players in hopes of improving following a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Phoenix Suns last season.
However, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss admitted in August that it was a challenge to fill out the roster with quality players after acquiring Westbrook and his contract that has a $44.2 million cap hit this season and $47 million cap hit in 2022-23.
"We're over the cap. We have really no room. When we made that trade (for Westbrook), we knew we'd have to fill the roster with seven or eight players at the veterans minimum," Buss told The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan. "And so trying to convince players to come on one-year deals for the minimum is a challenge."
With the Lakers continuing to struggle, the franchise is going to need to make some moves if it hopes to compete with the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz for one of the top spots in the Western Conference.
However, it's unclear how the team will approach the situation. James won't be moved. Westbrook won't be moved because of his large contract, and while the Lakers likely won't want to trade Davis, he's one of the only other players that would net them anything significant in return.
There has been speculation that Davis could be traded, though there has been no reports of the team being interested in moving him.
James Harden, Patty Mills Combine for 70 Points as Nets Hold off LeBron James, Lakers
Dec 26, 2021
Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) is shown against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
In their first game in a week, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 122-115 on Christmas Day. The Nets had their previous three games postponed because of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the NBA.
In his first game since Dec. 10, James Harden led the way with 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as Brooklyn improved to 22-9. Patty Mills added 34 points with eight three-pointers. The Nets led by as many as 23 in the fourth quarter before the Lakers came back to tie the game. But Harden and company were able to hold on for the win.
The Nets were without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who are among seven players on the team in health and safety protocols.
The Lakers fell to 16-18 and have now lost a season-high five consecutive games. LeBron James led Los Angeles with 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Notable Player Stats
G James Harden, BKN: 36 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
F LeBron James, LAL: 39 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
G Malik Monk, LAL: 20 points (off bench)
F Carmelo Anthony, LAL: 17 points, 11 rebounds (off bench)
G Russell Westbrook, LAL: 13 points (4-of-20 FG), 12 rebounds, 11 assists
Brooklyn's Backcourt Powers Short-handed Team to Victory
The way the game started, you wouldn't have guessed that the Nets were playing their first game in seven days. Brooklyn came out firing early and often, scoring 38 points in the first quarter on 66.7 percent shooting.
The Nets' starting backcourt of Harden and Patty Mills was outstanding to start the game. They helped Brooklyn build a 17-point lead in the first half before Los Angeles made a comeback.
Harden looked comfortable as the team's primary scorer and playmaker, making sound decisions on when to call his own number and when to distribute. Mills delivered when the ball came to him, knocking down three of his first six shots from beyond the arc. Harden (23 points) and Mills (19) combined for 42 of Brooklyn's 66 first-half points.
The duo kept it going in the second half. When the Lakers came back to take the lead in the third quarter, Harden and Mills came up with timely buckets and assists to help Brooklyn pull away.
After falling behind 70-68, Brooklyn ended the third quarter with a 34-12 avalanche to take a 20-point lead entering the fourth. Los Angeles didn't go down easily and cut the lead to single digits, but Mills came up big once again.
Thanks to the success of Harden and Mills, opportunities opened up for players like Bruce Brown and DeAndre Bembry, who both scored in double figures with 16 and 15 points.
Harden and Mills did a great job leading a short-handed Brooklyn team and taking pressure off the younger players. Saturday's performance is a good sign for the Nets, as they will be even more dangerous when they're back at full strength.
Lakers' Pair of Comebacks Fall Short
There's no sugarcoating this one. The Lakers should have won Saturday's game. Yes, Los Angeles is without star big man Anthony Davis. But the Nets were playing without an MVP candidate in Durant and another All-Star in Irving. On paper, this game was set up perfectly for the Lakers to end their losing skid.
But they couldn't.
Los Angeles allowed the Nets to open up a 17-point lead in the first half. Instead of focusing in on stopping Brooklyn's top two scoring options Harden and Mills, the Lakers allowed them to get into a rhythm early.
The Lakers managed to claw their way back into the game and trailed by just four at halftime. They even managed to take the lead in the third quarter, but it quickly vanished because of the team's lack of discipline.
Defensive lapses have plagued the Los Angeles throughout the season, and Saturday night was no different. Brooklyn shot 61.9 percent from the field in the third quarter to build a 20-point lead. It's the third consecutive game that the Lakers have trailed by 20 points or more.
Not going down without a fight, James and company had another comeback in them. Los Angeles went on a 22-3 run and eventually tied the game. But it just wasn't enough as Brooklyn was able to get stops when it counted most.
Saturday's loss will be hard for the Lakers to get over. The team showed fight to comeback from double-digit deficits twice in the same game, but there are no consolation prizes in the NBA.
Los Angeles is a flawed team that has multiple issues to address on both ends of the floor if it hopes to be in contention for a title this year.
What's Next?
The Nets will remain in Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Monday. The Lakers will look to end their skid on Tuesday against the Houston Rockets.
Lakers' LeBron James Breaks Kobe Bryant's All-Time NBA Christmas Scoring Record
Dec 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during a game at the STAPLES Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2021 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
Add another record to LeBron James' collection of accolades and career milestones.
On Saturday, James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in Christmas Day games, surpassing Kobe Bryant's previous record of 395 points.
James came into Saturday needing 13 points to set the record. He accomplished the feat with a pair of free throws at the 3:52 mark in the second quarter in the Los Angeles Lakers' showcase game against the Brooklyn Nets. He finished with 39 points in Los Angeles' 122-115 loss.
Here is the updated list of career scorers on Christmas Day:
James: 422 points in 16 games
Bryant: 395 points in 16 games
Oscar Robertson: 377 points in 12 games
Dwyane Wade: 314 points in 13 games
Kevin Durant: 299 points in 11 games
While undoubtedly a cool accomplishment, it might not rank that high on James' personal list. After all, it's competing with his four titles, four MVP awards, four NBA Finals MVPs, 17 All-Star Game appearances, three All-Star Game MVPs, 13 first-team All-NBA selections and his 2007-08 scoring title, among others.
It's an incredible list for the future Hall of Famer.
Granted, James will probably be more concerned with turning the Lakers' season around. The team came into Saturday 16-17 and is trying to end a four-game losing streak.
It's been a tough season for Los Angeles, with the team seeing multiple players put into the NBA's health and safety protocols amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while Anthony Davis is sidelined with an MCL sprain.
As for any other Christmas records, one accomplishment James doesn't hold is the single-game scoring mark on the holiday. That distinction belongs to Hall of Famer Bernard King, who scored 60 points in 1984 for the New York Knicks.
Lakers News: Malik Monk, Avery Bradley Available vs. Nets After Clearing Protocols
Dec 25, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his missed three pointer during a 119-115 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on December 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers guards Malik Monk and Avery Bradley have cleared the NBA's health and safety protocols and will be available Saturday night versus the Brooklyn Nets, per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
Getting both back will be a boost for a Lakers team that heads into a tough Christmas Day matchup with the Nets on a four-game losing streak. The Lakers are 16-17 on the year, a disappointing showing for a team that came into the season with championship aspirations.
"We have no chemistry with any lineup from the simple fact that we haven't logged any minutes," LeBron James told reporters on Thursday after a 138-110 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. "All of our defensive guys are in health and safety protocols. ... We don't need a full roster. We just need some of our guys back."
So thin have the Lakers been that they signed veteran guard Darren Collison out of retirement to a 10-day contract with a hardship exemption. They've also added veterans Isaiah Thomas and Stanley Johnson on the same exemption.
"Nothing you can do but figure it out," Westbrook said Thursday. "Find ways. Get guys back in shape. We have a bunch of guys in that locker room that don't quit and don't give in to what's happening. We've got to turn the page and find a way to win a ballgame."
Monk, 23, has been solid for the Lakers in a reserve role, averaging 9.7 points in 23.8 minutes per game while shooting 36.1 percent from three. For a Lakers team starved of spacing and shooting around LeBron James and Russell Westbrook at the moment, he's become all the more important.
Bradley, 31, has started 21 of his 26 appearances this year, giving the Lakers a nice three-and-D option. He's averaging 5.8 points in 23 minutes per game and shooting 40.0 percent from three.
NBA Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Anthony Davis, Lakers Deadline Plans, Joe Ingles
Dec 25, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis plays against the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
As the Los Angeles Lakers think about their future whenever the LeBron James era ends, Anthony Davis' status as the long-term face of the franchise is uncertain.
Per NBA reporter Marc Stein on his Substack Newsletter (h/t HoopsHype), people in the NBA are " asking the question, 'Will they trade AD before his contract runs out so they don't end up on that position?'"
Stein did make a point of stressing that he has "not heard anything" to suggest that the Lakers are even thinking about doing this.
B/R's Zach Buckley noted a Davis trade "seems impossible at the moment, if for no other reason than the fact he still has the ceiling of a top-five talent."
Certainly, no one is suggesting the Lakers would even consider moving Davis right now. His friendship with James would seem to make it a non-starter at this point, even if Los Angeles wanted to do it.
James agreed to a two-year, $85 million extension in December 2020 that keeps him with the Lakers through the 2022-23 season. He will be 38 years old when that deal expires.
Appearing on the Smartless Podcast in July (h/t Kurt Helin of NBC Sports), James said he hopes to finish his career in Los Angeles.
"However many years that is, if it’s four, five, six, whatever, seven, I hope I can continue to play the game," he added.
Davis has two more guaranteed years plus a $43.2 million player option for 2024-25 on his current deal, per Spotrac. The eight-time All-Star hasn't had the same impact on the Lakers since helping them win an NBA championship in 2019-20.
He only appeared in 36 games last season due to injuries. A groin injury limited him to a total of 25 minutes over the final three games of Los Angeles' first-round postseason series loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Davis is averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 27 starts this season. His 105 defensive rating so far is tied for the worst mark of his career (2018-19), per Basketball-Reference.com.
The Lakers roster is messy right now, as head coach Frank Vogel tries to find ways to smoothly integrate Russell Westbrook into the mix with James and Davis. Their 16-17 start is due in part to key players missing time due to injuries and health and safety protocols, including James and Davis.
Buckley did note the Lakers theoretically could look to trade Kendrick Nunn and/or Talen Horton-Tucker before the Feb. 10 deadline to upgrade their roster, but neither player has enough "pull to bring an elite player back to L.A."
If the Lakers get all of their key players back healthy and playing at a high level, they have the ability to move into the upper-echelon of Western Conference contenders.
Joe Ingles Trade Buzz
It would seem odd for a team with the third-best record in the Western Conference to even consider trading a valuable shooter like Joe Ingles, but the Utah Jazz are in a unique position with their roster right now.
Per ESPN's Zach Lowe, executives from rival teams "have wondered what the Jazz might be able to get in exchange for Ingles and a first-round pick."
There is no indication at this point that the Jazz are looking to deal Ingles, though Lowe did note the 34-year-old has an expiring contract and isn't a great fit for the roster at this point:
He's not as airtight on defense anymore. He basically only takes 3s; he has attempted 14 free throws all season. He's a really good passer, but his assists are down and his playmaking doesn't feel quite as essential as it once did with Mitchell, Conley, and Clarkson all getting tons of minutes. Quin Snyder may want to experiment with Rudy Gay in a larger role.
Ingles is still shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range, but his scoring average (8.0 points per game) and assists (3.5) are the fewest for him since the 2016-17 season.
The Jazz are in a trick position. They have a 22-9 record with a league-best 117.6 offensive rating and 10.6 net rating, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Their regular-season success in 2021-22 isn't going to get many people outside of Salt Lake City excited because of what happened in 2020-21.
The Jazz were the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last season with the best net rating in the NBA (9.3), but they lost in the second round of the playoffs to a Los Angeles Clippers team that didn't have Kawhi Leonard for the final two games due to a partially torn ACL.
Utah hasn't advanced past the second round of the postseason since the 2006-07 season.
If general manager Justin Zanik can find a deal that will upgrade the Jazz for the stretch run, Ingles' skill as a shooter could make him attractive to any number of teams looking for scoring help.
LeBron James Only Player in NBA History in Top 100 PTS, REB, AST, BLK, STL, 3PM
Dec 24, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, center, reacts to a foul call on his team during second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
With two blocks in Thursday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to rank among the top 100 all-time in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals and three-pointers made.
LeBron James has just become the only player in NBA history ranking Top 100 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and three-pointers.
James had 36 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the Lakers' 138-110 loss to San Antonio, their fourth straight defeat. The future Hall of Famer has been racking up transcendent stats as the Lakers have been ravaged by COVID-19 and injuries, but it has not translated to consistent winning basketball. The Lakers are 16-17, sixth in the Western Conference, heading into their Christmas Day clash with the Brooklyn Nets.
Where James winds up finishing on these all-time lists depends on how long he continues playing. He would need to play 123 more games averaging 20 points per game to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer; he could do it in 99 games if he averages 25 points over that span.
Playing two more seasons would put him in a solid position to rank fourth all-time in assists, and he'll probably top out somewhere in the mid-30s all-time in rebounds. He will also almost certainly finish his career second all time in minutes, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
James has a never-before-seen level of transcendent greatness over such a long period of time.
