LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, Lakers could lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has publicly recommitted to the team. James told reporters on February 26th that he wants to be a Laker as long as possible. He made these comments after hinting that he would be willing to play elsewhere during the All-Star Weekend.
James stated during All-Star Weekend that the door was not closed on a return (subscription required) to the Cleveland Cavaliers at some point in the future. His comments were likely made out of frustration because the Lakers refused to upgrade the roster before the trade deadline. James wanted the team to trade Russell Westbrook for John Wall, but management refused.
Lakers could lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time
Unfortunately, James’ public commitment to the Lakers organization doesn’t hold any weight, because he has previously made commitments to other teams and left those organizations a couple of months later.
For example, James told NBA TV’s Steve Smith on February 18th, 2014 that he couldn’t imagine being anywhere but with the Miami Heat long-term. However, he decided to leave the organization and rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers just five months later.
James reportedly left Miami because he wasn’t happy that the team wouldn’t comply with his demands. He wanted Miami to upgrade the roster during the 2013 offseason. Unfortunately, the team didn’t want to spend more money and refused to go into the luxury tax, instead, using the mid-level exception to acquire new players. More importantly, Miami decided to shed money by letting go of Mike Miller.
The Heat wasn’t the only organization that he publicly committed to and went back on his word. Bill Simmons of The Ringer stated in July of 2017 that everybody around the league was speculating that James would sign with the Lakers in 2018.
A month later, Chris Sheridan stated that LeBron was leaving Cleveland after the following season. James denied these claims by saying his thought process hadn’t changed – he wanted to stay in Cleveland for the remainder of his career. However, those statements were not true, as just one year later, James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles</a> Lakers superstar LeBron James has publicly recommitted to the team. James told reporters on February 26th that he wants to be a Laker as long as possible. He made these comments after hinting that he would be willing to play elsewhere during the All-Star Weekend.</p>
<p>James stated during All-Star Weekend that<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://theathletic.com/3138844/2022/02/19/could-lebron-james-return-to-cleveland-again-the-doors-not-closed-on-that-he-says/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the door was not closed on a return</a> <strong>(subscription required) </strong>to the Cleveland Cavaliers at some point in the future. His comments were likely made out of frustration because the Lakers refused to upgrade the roster before the trade deadline. James wanted the team to trade Russell Westbrook for John Wall, but management refused.</p>
<h2>Lakers could lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time</h2>
<p>Unfortunately, James’ public commitment to the Lakers organization doesn’t hold any weight, because he has previously made commitments to other teams and left those organizations a couple of months later.</p>
<p>For example, James told <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/02/18/20140217lebron-james-says-hes-not-leaving-miami-at-this-point/5572517/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA TV’s Steve Smith</a> on February 18th, 2014 that he couldn’t imagine being anywhere but with the Miami Heat long-term. However, he decided to leave the organization and rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers just five months later.</p>
<p>James reportedly left Miami because he wasn’t happy that the team wouldn’t comply with his demands. He wanted Miami to upgrade the roster during the 2013 offseason. Unfortunately, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://nba.nbcsports.com/2014/06/19/report-lebron-james-annoyed-with-micky-arison-not-ready-to-commit-to-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the team didn’t want to spend more money</a> and refused to go into the luxury tax, instead, using the mid-level exception to acquire new players. More importantly, Miami decided to shed money by letting go of Mike Miller.</p>
<p>The Heat wasn’t the only organization that he publicly committed to and went back on his word. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://www.theringer.com/2017/7/11/16078278/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers-bill-simmons-podcast-cb530026641e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Simmons of The Ringer</a> stated in July of 2017 that everybody around the league was speculating that James would sign with the Lakers in 2018.</p>
<p>A month later, Chris Sheridan stated that LeBron was leaving Cleveland after the following season. James denied these claims by saying his <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2017/09/lebron_james_cavaliers_6.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thought process hadn’t changed</a> – he wanted to stay in Cleveland for the remainder of his career. However, those statements were not true, as just one year later, James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A LeBron James trade </a>
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<img class="wp-image-426433 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299463689.jpeg" alt="Lakers could lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299463689.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299463689-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The Lakers must be prepared to lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time: How a James trade impacts the organization</h2>
<p>Consequently, people shouldn’t take LeBron James’ comments at face value, as he clearly has a history of going back on his word. Suppose he chooses to go back on his word once again. In that case, it could have even more significant ramifications on the Lakers’ organization because he will get to decide which organization he wants to go to.</p>
<p>James is near the end of his career and aims to compete for another championship. Therefore, it will shorten the list of teams he would be willing to play on. More importantly, James will only accept a trade from specific teams if they keep the players he wants on the roster.</p>
<p>For example, he could ask to be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers to play with James Harden and Joel Embiid. This potential decision limits what the Lakers could get in exchange for James in a trade.</p>
<p>A hypothetical trade for James could be Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and multiple picks. While it would be a good trade for James, it is not enough for the Lakers to remain a competitive team in the Western Conference. If the Lakers cannot remain competitive, they have another issue on their hands with Anthony Davis.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Davis wants to win </a>
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<img class="wp-image-441640 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1368525540.jpeg" alt="Lakers could lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1368525540.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1368525540-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The Lakers must be prepared to lose LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the same time: If James leaves, Davis could ask for a trade as well</h2>
<p>Anthony Davis left the New Orleans Pelicans two-plus years ago because he didn’t see them being in contention for a championship. According to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://www.complex.com/sports/2019/02/anthony-davis-explains-why-wants-out-new-orleans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Complex.com</a>, Davis wanted out of New Orleans because he realized that NBA careers were short.</p>
<p>If Los Angeles falls out of contention, Davis could ask out once again, doubling back on his previous train of thought. NBA executives are already speculating that this might happen, as they are saying that the Lakers could look to trade Anthony Davis to the Bulls after this season.</p>
<p>Chicago is a team that Davis has always been interested in playing for. During a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2846402-anthony-davis-says-hed-definitely-consider-playing-for-bulls-later-in-career" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019 Nike Basketball Camp</a>, Davis told the media that if the opportunity presented itself, he would be interested in playing for the Bulls.</p>
<p>More importantly, the Bulls are currently one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, as they are the second seed, with a record of 39-22. Therefore, Chicago would currently be an attractive destination for Davis, as he would get a chance to compete for a title.</p>
<p>On the other hand, a Davis trade request would put the Lakers in a position where they no longer have superstars on their roster and will most likely be forced to enter a rebuild. James’ future decisions could have a massive impact on the Lakers organization for years to come.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="The Lakers are still the most feared team in the West" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/24/los-angeles-lakers-feared-west/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/01/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-davis/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/24/los-angeles-lakers-feared-west/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> The Lakers are still the most feared team in the West </a> </div>
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