The conversation surrounding LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took another interesting turn following comments from Stephen A. Smith that quickly made waves across the basketball world.
During a recent appearance shared by NBA Courtside, Smith suggested there may be deeper issues brewing between the Lakers organization, LeBron, and Klutch Sports.
“Have the Lakers taken LeBron for granted? Sure. Do they deep down like him or Klutch? I don’t think so.”
Klutch Sports, the agency founded by Rich Paul, has long maintained a powerful connection with the Lakers through LeBron and several former Klutch-affiliated players. Smith’s comments hint at the possibility that tensions may exist behind the scenes regarding roster control, organizational influence, and the franchise’s long-term vision.
Despite what the propaganda arm of Klutch Sports , aka, the LeMedia and their associated acolytes may expouse, LeBron was wielded considerable influence within the Lakers organization. Several times throughout his Lakers tenure, LeBron has , allegedly, exercised his power,to achieve his ends such as the Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook trade acquisitions, the firing of head coach Darvin and the subsequent hire of JJ Redick and even the drafting of his son LeBron James Jr.
His influence began to wane with the trade that brought Luka Dončić to Los Angeles, a move that James has maintained of which he was completely ignorant. That development combined with the Buss family selling a majority stake in the franchise to billionaire Mark Walter seemed to be an indication that the Lakers were pivoting from the assuaging LeBron era.
With that indication of the franchise looking toward a Luka-centered future the speculation surrounding LeBron’s future has swirled about, even as he opted into his $52 million player option.
Despite the numbers he continues to put up at the ripe old age of 41, it appears that the Lakers have began to ask themselves, as it relates to LeBron, is if the juice is worth the squeeze?
