LeBron James has not given the Lakers any indication about what he will do
James’ looming free agency puts him front-and-center in the Lakers’ spotlight right now, and with good reason. League sources say the 39-year-old has not given the Lakers any indication about what he will do, even if the widely held expectation around the league is that he will either return on his player option or sign a new deal. He wasn’t involved in the coaching search — never mind that it involved his podcast partner — and has made it clear that he’s in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Lakers’ offseason business and the part it might play in his decision. If he opts out, as so many expect, don’t be surprised if he takes his time in free agency from there.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
I (plus @DuaneRankin and @ByTimReynolds ) talked some Bronny James draft — where he might land and is a package deal with LeBron — with
@RandiRichTV for Today at NBC.
today.com/news/sports/br… – 12:01 PM
I (plus @DuaneRankin and @ByTimReynolds ) talked some Bronny James draft — where he might land and is a package deal with LeBron — with
@RandiRichTV for Today at NBC.
today.com/news/sports/br… – 12:01 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
I talked some Bronny James draft — where he might land and is a package deal with LeBron — with @RandiRichTV for Today at NBC.
today.com/news/sports/br… – 11:58 AM
I talked some Bronny James draft — where he might land and is a package deal with LeBron — with @RandiRichTV for Today at NBC.
today.com/news/sports/br… – 11:58 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk @ByTimReynolds and I talking Bronny James with @RandiRichTV for @TODAYshow heading into #NBADraft.
Will Bronny James join his dad, LeBron James, on an NBA team? What to know ahead of the draft (w/video) #LakeShow today.com/news/sports/br… via @TODAYshow – 10:30 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk @ByTimReynolds and I talking Bronny James with @RandiRichTV for @TODAYshow heading into #NBADraft.
Will Bronny James join his dad, LeBron James, on an NBA team? What to know ahead of the draft (w/video) #LakeShow today.com/news/sports/br… via @TODAYshow – 10:30 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers’ (real) draft night decisions that loom large: Why this apparent shift away from another big swing might not sit well with their stars, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/55889… – 10:14 AM
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers’ (real) draft night decisions that loom large: Why this apparent shift away from another big swing might not sit well with their stars, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/55889… – 10:14 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Lakers prepared to offer LeBron James three-year $160 million max contract, per report
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 2:11 AM
Lakers prepared to offer LeBron James three-year $160 million max contract, per report
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 2:11 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
JJ Redick spent the weekend connecting with Lakers’ players, sources told @JakeLFischer.
Redick left the impression he’s going to value positional versatility, three-point shooting and playmaking for lineups that can optimize LeBron James off the ball.
More form @JakeLFischer: pic.twitter.com/xutGhW8Ipu – 7:33 PM
JJ Redick spent the weekend connecting with Lakers’ players, sources told @JakeLFischer.
Redick left the impression he’s going to value positional versatility, three-point shooting and playmaking for lineups that can optimize LeBron James off the ball.
More form @JakeLFischer: pic.twitter.com/xutGhW8Ipu – 7:33 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Lakers introduce JJ Redick: What we learned from press conference, with insight on Anthony Davis, LeBron James
(By @SamQuinnCBS)
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 7:32 PM
Lakers introduce JJ Redick: What we learned from press conference, with insight on Anthony Davis, LeBron James
(By @SamQuinnCBS)
cbssports.com/nba/news/laker… – 7:32 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James and JJ Redick may have talked plenty on the “Mind the Game” podcast. But Lakers’ Rob Pelinka said LeBron “chose not to be heavily involved” in the coaching process. For @Sportskeeda bit.ly/45Bkm9j – 7:13 PM
LeBron James and JJ Redick may have talked plenty on the “Mind the Game” podcast. But Lakers’ Rob Pelinka said LeBron “chose not to be heavily involved” in the coaching process. For @Sportskeeda bit.ly/45Bkm9j – 7:13 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
JJ Redick has mentioned the need for an increase in 3-point attempts in multiple answers.
The Lakers ranked 28th in attempts last season and have never ranked higher than 17th in attempts in the LeBron-AD era. – 5:15 PM
JJ Redick has mentioned the need for an increase in 3-point attempts in multiple answers.
The Lakers ranked 28th in attempts last season and have never ranked higher than 17th in attempts in the LeBron-AD era. – 5:15 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
JJ Redick says he didn’t talk to LeBron James during the coaching search until 30 minutes after he was offered the position on Thursday. Redick says they then spoke for about 15-20 minutes on the phone. He added that he knew James didn’t want to be involved and respected that. – 4:58 PM
JJ Redick says he didn’t talk to LeBron James during the coaching search until 30 minutes after he was offered the position on Thursday. Redick says they then spoke for about 15-20 minutes on the phone. He added that he knew James didn’t want to be involved and respected that. – 4:58 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
JJ Redick said he and LeBron James intentionally did not talk to each other during the coaching search. They only talked after Lakers and Redick agreed to a deal – 4:57 PM
JJ Redick said he and LeBron James intentionally did not talk to each other during the coaching search. They only talked after Lakers and Redick agreed to a deal – 4:57 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Redick said he didn’t speak to LeBron at all about the head coaching position until 30 minutes after he was offered the job by the Lakers: “That was very intentional on both our parts.” – 4:57 PM
Redick said he didn’t speak to LeBron at all about the head coaching position until 30 minutes after he was offered the job by the Lakers: “That was very intentional on both our parts.” – 4:57 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
JJ Redick: “LeBron and I did not talk about the Lakers job until Thursday afternoon, but 30 minutes after I was offered the job … That was very intentional” – 4:57 PM
JJ Redick: “LeBron and I did not talk about the Lakers job until Thursday afternoon, but 30 minutes after I was offered the job … That was very intentional” – 4:57 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Rob Pelinka says that LeBron was very supportive of the process of finding a new coach for the Lakers, but chose not to heavily involved. He did note, however, that Anthony Davis was very actively involved and in the loop. AK – 4:57 PM
Rob Pelinka says that LeBron was very supportive of the process of finding a new coach for the Lakers, but chose not to heavily involved. He did note, however, that Anthony Davis was very actively involved and in the loop. AK – 4:57 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Pelinka drew a distinction between LeBron and AD’s involvement in the coaching search:
On LeBron: “He was very supportive of this organization in our process, but chose not to be heavily involved.”
On AD: “Anthony Davis chose to be very involved … he was very excited for – 4:56 PM
Pelinka drew a distinction between LeBron and AD’s involvement in the coaching search:
On LeBron: “He was very supportive of this organization in our process, but chose not to be heavily involved.”
On AD: “Anthony Davis chose to be very involved … he was very excited for – 4:56 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Pelinka says LeBron James was “very supportive” of the Lakers coaching process but chose not to be heavily involved. Anthony Davis, Pelinka said, was heavily involved and is excited about the Redick hire. – 4:56 PM
Pelinka says LeBron James was “very supportive” of the Lakers coaching process but chose not to be heavily involved. Anthony Davis, Pelinka said, was heavily involved and is excited about the Redick hire. – 4:56 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Rob Pelinka notes that LeBron James was very “supportive” of the Lakers’ coaching search and hiring process but was not “heavily involved.” He said Anthony Davis, on the other hand, was very involved in the process and excited for Redick’s hiring. – 4:55 PM
Rob Pelinka notes that LeBron James was very “supportive” of the Lakers’ coaching search and hiring process but was not “heavily involved.” He said Anthony Davis, on the other hand, was very involved in the process and excited for Redick’s hiring. – 4:55 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Rob Pelinka said LeBron James “was supportive, but not heavily involved” with the coaching search. Pelinka said Anthony Davis had more involvement – 4:55 PM
Rob Pelinka said LeBron James “was supportive, but not heavily involved” with the coaching search. Pelinka said Anthony Davis had more involvement – 4:55 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Rob Pelinka says LeBron James was “supportive” of the Lakers’ coaching search/process, but not very involved — a distinction Rob wanted to make clear.
Rob added that Anthony Davis was very involved in the process. – 4:55 PM
Rob Pelinka says LeBron James was “supportive” of the Lakers’ coaching search/process, but not very involved — a distinction Rob wanted to make clear.
Rob added that Anthony Davis was very involved in the process. – 4:55 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
JJ Redick mentioned that he’d like to see LeBron James shoot more 3s, especially after shooting a career-high 41% from beyond the arc last season. – 4:49 PM
JJ Redick mentioned that he’d like to see LeBron James shoot more 3s, especially after shooting a career-high 41% from beyond the arc last season. – 4:49 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
JJ Redick says he wants LeBron James to take more 3s next season. James shot a career-best 41% from 3 last year in his 20th season. – 4:48 PM
JJ Redick says he wants LeBron James to take more 3s next season. James shot a career-best 41% from 3 last year in his 20th season. – 4:48 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
I made some free agency predictions how much LeBron, PG, Klay, DeRozan, KCP, and Isaiah Hartenstein earn on their new deals:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nb… – 4:04 PM
I made some free agency predictions how much LeBron, PG, Klay, DeRozan, KCP, and Isaiah Hartenstein earn on their new deals:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nb… – 4:04 PM
Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Bronny James casually drops $10K on sneakers. Including a pair of $4,000 LeBron Christmas 11s. Light work. pic.twitter.com/SsPL8IuzYk – 3:27 PM
Bronny James casually drops $10K on sneakers. Including a pair of $4,000 LeBron Christmas 11s. Light work. pic.twitter.com/SsPL8IuzYk – 3:27 PM
More on this storyline
As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has always said about this partnership, James’ happiness is the key to it all. Yet while some have surmised that James might be content coasting in these final Lakers years, enjoying all the benefits of living in Los Angeles while continuing to make his incredible mark on the league’s history books, league sources say he desperately wants to win at the highest of levels again. What’s more, James’ unprecedented play at this stage means he remains open to the prospect of playing two, or even three, more seasons before retiring. -via New York Times / June 25, 2024
James has until June 29 to opt in to the final year of his contract with the Lakers or become an unrestricted free agent. L.A. is committed to re-signing James and would offer the maximum three-year deal for which James is eligible to take him through his 24th season in the league, sources told ESPN. -via ESPN / June 25, 2024
Redick spent the weekend connecting with players up and down the Lakers’ roster over the phone, league sources told Yahoo Sports, explaining his vision for some of their specific roles. Redick left various players and their representatives with the impression the first-time head coach is going to value positional versatility, 3-point shooting and playmaking for lineups that can optimize LeBron James off the ball, sources said. -via Yahoo! Sports / June 24, 2024