At one point, it seemed like the Los Angeles Lakers would be the final stop in the legendary career of LeBron James. On the roster since 2018, it was the longest continuous stop with any franchise for the legendary superstar.
However, with the team building around a younger core of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the 22-time All-Star decided to take a change of scenery. While he hasn’t made his next spot available, one of his chief career rivals believes the decision is going to be a big blow for the new-look Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers Will Regret Losing LeBron James
In the five years prior to James’ arrival, the Lakers had the worst record in the NBA. As a result, his arrival and immediate revival of the organization were something to behold. Becoming champions in two years, the impact was undeniable.
But seven years later, even at 41, he was still a key difference maker on the roster. Embracing a third-option role for the first time in his career, he was able to fit in seamlessly alongside two other ball-dominant stars in Dončić and Reaves.
As a result, Los Angeles lost just one game in the entirety of March as the three found their equilibrium. Unfortunately, nearly simultaneous injuries to both derailed the season entirely. Without either starter in their backcourt, James had to carry the load once again.
He did an admirable job, leading LA to an upset victory over the Houston Rockets in the first round. But against the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team could not keep up.
Soon after, James made his decision, and the Lakers took a different approach in free agency. Bringing in a large contingent comprising Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, with trades to bring in Jaden Hardy and Walker Kessler as well.
Unfortunately, Draymond Green doesn’t think it will still be enough. The four-time NBA champion, who’s been a career-long rival and has faced James in four NBA Finals, understands the impact his departure will have on the Lakers.
Speaking on the “Draymond Green podcast,” the four-time NBA champion laid out the team’s situation. “People don’t understand the weight that LeBron James carries. Still, after 24 years, 23 years, whatever, however long he’s been in the NBA, I still think people don’t understand the force, the weight that this guy carries.”
Going beyond the court to explain his point, Green said, “From an overall standpoint, the economics that he brings to a team, the economic impact that he may have on the city, and then also the basketball.” Then, he revealed his perception of James’ impact.
“Any time LeBron James is on the floor, A, your team has a chance to win, but B, you have to account for him in a major way. And I think personally the Lakers are going to feel that next year. Even with Luka coming in and being the face of the organization right away,
LeBron James was still there.”
Most importantly, he believed the blame is now going to directly fall on the Slovenian superstar for any shortcomings from the team. Despite his age and Dončić being the better player at this stage in his career, Green believed the four-time MVP was the face of criticism.
“For Luka, if he’s struggling, they’ll still always point the finger to LeBron James because he’s LeBron. Now that he’ll be gone, I think the pressure on Luka rises, but I think the pressure on Austin Reaves, it rises even more now.”
However, he wasn’t completely writing them off. Instead, he argued, “They went out and got some pieces that fit around Luka, a lob threat as a center. You know, they’ve got some wings. And so, you know, I think they’ll have a good team. And at the end of the day, Luka is still a generational player in his own right. Overall, still a good team, but it’s going to be different for sure.”
It remains to be seen how the new-look Lakers function on the court. They have plenty of time between now and the start of the season to further build out the roster. But the lack of defense is already apparent on paper.
So there are clear areas of need for the team. Now, it’s going to be on the front office to find better pieces around Dončić, and for the perennial MVP candidate to carry them as far as he can.
