Lakers star LeBron James was urged to team up with an MVP candidate to increase his chances of winning a championship. The four-time champion has played a massive role for Los Angeles since joining them in 2018.
Former Knicks player and 2016 NBA Champion, Iman Shumpert, gave his take on the possibility of James joining Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Iman Shumpert Believes Victor Wembanyama Could Increase LeBron James’ Championship Chances
Currently in his 23rd season, James may not have built a legacy as a pure scorer like Michael Jordan, but his efficiency and longevity have made him a mainstay in GOAT debates.
This season, after overcoming injury struggles, including left-foot joint arthritis, James transitioned into a complementary role alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
James’ first game back was against the Chicago Bulls on March 12, when he recorded 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in 33 minutes. While the Dončić-Reaves duo fared well in his absence, James proved his adaptability in the team’s best interest.
JJ Redick also praised James’ commitment, stating, “I think again, he wants to do everything possible help his team win, and he understands the importance of making sure Luka and AR can be at their best.”
With multiple teams reportedly in the mix as James’ next destination, Shumpert believed James would have a better chance of winning if he joined Wembanyama, who is currently third in the NBA MVP race.
“If I had to guess, LeBron is a winner, and LeBron wants to be a part of winning, his best chance to win is to go join Wemby. Now, if we’re talking about LeBron just extending his time and doing it for the fans. I think the best place to go is Cleveland.”
“What LeBron will do will, you know, ultimately be up to LeBron. I think it would be great to, you know, close the story going out in Cleveland, but LeBron’s about winning. And if you want to win, I think that you got to start looking around at different ball clubs,” Shumpert added.
The four-time NBA champion and the Lakers faced the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Dončić was the star of the show, putting up 42 points, while James added 14 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds as the Lakers extended their win streak to four and the 22-time NBA All-Star extended his career tally to 1,229 wins.
