What LeBron James wants, LeBron James usually gets. That has been the case for most of “The King’s” career. He has been able to call the shots and have teams cater to his needs and wants. However, things seem to be changing in Los Angeles, as Charles Barkley stated recently on GameTime on NBA TV.
Everything revolves around LeBron
Every team Bron has been on has had to make personnel decisions primarily influenced by the latter’s whims. To maximize LeBron and the team’s chances of winning, James has to be surrounded by players with specific skill sets.
Whether it’s sharpshooters who can thrive off the defensive attention he draws, playmakers who can alleviate his burden of creating every possession, or defensive specialists capable of defending the opposing team’s best player, LeBron’s squads are often made up a certain way.
But this season, things are different. If reports are to be believed, it seems like Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka kept the 6’9″ forward out of the loop until the decision was made to acquire Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic for All-Star big man Anthony Davis.
“I do think this kind of sets the end to, like, LeBron James making all the decisions,” Chuck said in a discussion regarding the stunning trade finalized and announced on Sunday.
“They’re like, ‘Hey, we love you, LeBron, but we’re going to start doing what’s best for the Lakers.’ That’s what I got out of this trade from a Lakers standpoint,” the Hall of Famer added.
While the idea of the Lakers acquiring a superstar like “Luka Legend” is undoubtedly captivating, the fit is somewhat off. First, James and Doncic like having the ball in their hands. Second, trading AD away leaves the Lakers with a gaping hole in the shaded lane that no player on their roster can fill.
Lakers are preparing for the future
One thing is certain: the Lakers now have someone who can carry the team well into the future. From Magic Johnson to Shaquille O’Neal to Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have always had a star who could take over games and lead them to championships.
But it’s not just about the wins and losses for the Lakers. With this trade, they also position themselves for success beyond LeBron’s tenure with the team. At 40, James is undoubtedly still a top player in the league, but his time as a dominant force on the court will eventually end. Adding Doncic gives the Lakers a young and talented superstar who can step up and take on that role when the time comes.
“It seems like, to me, they’re like, ‘Hey, you know what? LeBron’s on his last legs. Let’s start getting us a star for the future,'” Barkley implied.
It will be fascinating to see how Luka and LeBron will mesh their talents on the court. After all, these are two hoop savants and once-in-a-lifetime talents now playing on the same team.
