The Los Angeles Lakers may have only recently learned that LeBron James wouldn’t be returning, but according to veteran insider Ric Bucher, the organization had already been preparing for that outcome long before it became official.
“I had to smile when it was reported that LeBron informed the Lakers that he didn’t intend to play for the Lakers next year. As if the Lakers weren’t intending for that to be the case,” Bucher said speaking on his On The Ball With Ric Bucher podcast. “But kudos to the Lakers for allowing LeBron to present it that way and preserve some dignity on the way out.”
Bucher also took aim at James and his longtime agent, Rich Paul, over reports suggesting every team around the league had interest in signing the four-time NBA champion.
“If teams were interested, he wouldn’t have to reach out to them,” Bucher said.
The longtime NBA journalist went even further, suggesting James is now facing a reality that every aging superstar eventually encounters.
“It’s a sign that LeBron and Rich are struggling with the new reality, which is LeBron simply isn’t valued the way he once was. He does not have the leverage he once did,” Bucher said. “Which is not an indictment, no one is going to invest in a player that is turning 42 years old next season and comes with the outsized attention and servicing that LeBron does.”
The comments come after James officially decided to leave the Lakers following eight seasons with the franchise.
While his next destination remains unknown, Los Angeles has wasted little time continuing its transition into the Luka Doncic era.
The Lakers have already surrounded their new franchise cornerstone with several additions, including Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton. They also handed Austin Reaves a four-year, $185 million extension, making him the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history.
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