LeBron James might have been providing a touch about his future, or he may have been trolling followers, the media and Lakers administration. Both manner, it appears newsworthy that he and former teammate Anthony Davis each posted the identical message to their Instagram accounts on Tuesday (hat tip to Ricky O’Donnell of Yahoo Sports activities).
It’s a quote from entrepreneur and life coach Jay Shetty that reads, “Turning into the very best model of your self comes with a number of goodbyes.”
James’ future with the Lakers has been up within the air since he picked up his $52.6MM participant possibility in late June. The web message may imply he’s considering saying goodbye to Los Angeles, both sooner or later this season or when he turns into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer season.
The Mavericks have been talked about as a doable subsequent staff for James, so Davis’ involvement may very well be vital. Going to Dallas would additionally reunite James with former Cleveland teammate Kyrie Irving and probably flip the Mavs into reputable title contenders once more.
There’s extra on the Lakers:
- Rui Hachimura can also be a 12 months away from free company and has the possibility to earn a long-term take care of L.A. by placing collectively one other sturdy season, Dan Woike of The Athletic writes in a mailbag column. Though the Lakers are preserving cap area for the summer season of 2027, they could resolve Hachimura is well worth the funding. He has shot higher than 50% from the sector and 40% from three-point vary in each of his full seasons in L.A., and he confirmed enchancment on protection final season. Woike additionally views him as a participant who’ll profit from spending a full season with Luka Doncic.
- Second-round decide Adou Thiero, who missed all of Summer season League whereas recovering from a knee harm he suffered in faculty, has been understanding within the Lakers’ facility and is anticipated to be prepared for coaching camp, Woike states in the identical piece. The 21-year-old energy ahead was chosen with the thirty sixth decide on this 12 months’s draft and was a part of the seven-team deal that despatched Kevin Durant from Phoenix to Houston. Woike notes that Thiero faces a crowded path to get enjoying time, however provides that he has the defensive abilities to present himself an opportunity.
- With 14 gamers holding customary contracts, Woike doesn’t count on the Lakers to make any extra trades earlier than the beginning of the season. They’ve an out there first-rounder, a second-rounder and a few swaps to supply, however Woike believes it’s extra doubtless they’ll save these property for a possible deal in a while.
