LeBron James reportedly didn't apply pressure to the Lakers' front office to make the Pacers trade.https://t.co/41KxF4kON0 pic.twitter.com/N7H3BU7LdB
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) October 5, 2022
In addition, James has shown support publicly and privately to integrating Westbrook and playing with the former league MVP again this season, and multiple sources said he applied no pressure to the Lakers front office to do the Pacers’ deal. Seven months have passed since James’ tweet supporting the “f— them picks” approach of Rams GM Les Snead led some to wonder how he saw the Lakers’ strategy, and sources say he remains supportive of the current regime. And while Pelinka made it clear on media day that he’s willing to trade precious picks in the right deal, that time has yet to arrive.
As was noted, LeBron made his feelings clear months ago with that Les Snead tweet, but it seems as if he understands the Lakers’ approach this offseason and is embracing it. As Pelinka noted during Media Day, the Lakers have one chance to make a huge deal with these two valuable picks and a massive expiring in Westbrook and they have to get it right.
As good as Turner and Hield are, they simply are not gamechangers, which is what Pelinka is likely targeting in such a deal. In signing that contract extension, James made it clear that he believes the Lakers is the best place for him to win another championship and now he is, smartly, giving them time to make the right move to hopefully make that happen.
One FRP, I’d probably pull that trigger and I’d call it a fairish deal. 2, while it doesn’t seem like much more, is highway robbery. Frankly, it would be a fairer deal if it was for a pick swap. Buddy is a one-trick pony and Turner has issues staying on the floor. Indy gets to clear a massive amount of cap space which isn’t worth nothing. Plus we got ample guards and bigs.
The Gobert trade broke free agency this summer, maybe for a good long while. No need for the Lakers to succumb…in preseason…and over-correct now. Waited this long, Ham is into it, Russ seems like he’s ready to call it a fresh start and LeBron isn’t griping. Just no need to rush into an awful trade.
The thing about this report that cracks me up was all the people all summer long on their websites or podcasts or TV shows saying how LeBron would NEVER do this or that with Russ on the team and that Russ was gone for 235 different reasons. They were all flat wrong and I like that Pelinka isn’t bidding against himself just to make a trade. High time he learned that lesson.