LeBron James Clarifies Comments Made About Los Angeles Lakers’ Future
LeBron James has gone on the offensive after it was reported that he had doubts about continuing his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 38-year-old NBA legend’s comments after the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings on Saturday for their fifth straight victory appear to have overshadowed the winning streak.
With the Feb. 9 trade deadline looming, James apparently called out Lakers general manager/VP of Operations Rob Pelinka and the front office about their ambitions to make roster changes and make the Lakers a contender . The Lakers are 19-21 and in 11th place in the Western Conference.
“I’m doing my best for my guys in the locker room,” James told The Athletic. “That’s all I can worry about. I’ll let you know what…has to happen. I don’t need to talk.”
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (6) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings’ KZ Okpala (30) in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on Jan. 7, 2023. On his future with the team, James said, “I’m doing the best for my boys in the locker room. That’s all I can worry about.” Getty Images
James has since clarified what he meant by that statement and said he is not running out of patience with the Lakers as The Athletic seemed to suggest.
The NBA star tweeted, citing the story in question: “Hey Sam [Amick] actually my patience is not running out. You make it sound like I’m frustrated when I really am not.
“I told you over and over again, my job is focused on the guys in the locker room, my job is not the roster. That’s the reality of that conversation. And I said what I said with the utmost respect and calm, because that’s who I am. in the mood! Welcome! 5 winning streaks.”
James previously told Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group that he didn’t want to spend his remaining years in the league playing for losing teams and hoped to have at least one more shot at a championship.
Up until the last few games, the Lakers had been decidedly tepid this season, so there was speculation that he would make one last move before retiring.
Former Lakers star Lamar Odom called for James to be traded so they can build a new team and compete again.
Former NBA star Lamar Odom attends a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on October 20, 2022. Odom called for LeBron James to be traded so the Lakers could build a new team and compete again. Getty Images
“If you trade LeBron, then you know you’re doing more than rebuilding,” Odom said. “I mean, if you did, you’re probably going to put yourself back in contention. You can take half a team, you’re going to take half a team.”
The Lakers could trade their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks if necessary, and that could be enough to secure the talent to make them a contender in the West.
Pelinka said before the season that it was his responsibility to build the best team he could around James to give them a chance to compete for another championship.
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