James made a few things very clear on Friday night, after eyebrow-raising comments he made leading up to the trade deadline and All-Star weekend caused the basketball world to speculate about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He wants the Lakers to be the final team he plays for in his 19-year career.
This is a franchise that I see myself being a part of. I am here. He said after the Lakers lost to the LA Clippers that he sees himself in purple and gold as long as he can play.
James, who is under contract for one more season in L.A. and will be eligible to sign a two-year extension this summer worth north of $97 million, would like to play in the NBA alongside his 17-year-old son.
James said he would love to play with his son if it was possible. That could possibly happen. I want to be a part of this franchise.
The current collective bargaining agreement prevents Bronny from playing in the league until the 25th season.
James told The Athletic that his last year will be with his son. Wherever Bronny is, I will be there. I would play with my son for a year. It is not about money at that point.
There are a lot of ways that L.A. could position itself to acquire him when he becomes eligible for the NBA through trades or James.
James said that his role with the Lakers is that of a player. Pelinka might consult with James and Anthony Davis over personnel decisions, but according to James, the buck stops with Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers front office.
James said that he doesn't push the buttons. I do not press any buttons. Our front office is for that and our leadership group is for that.
I don't press buttons. Right now, we can state that.
James said that his recent praise of Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead and Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti was not related to his opinion of Pelinka.
If I compliment the GM in OKC, I really believe he has done a great job. James said that he loved the T-shirt the GM from the Rams wore. I thought it was great. I also believe the same way. I don't care about picks, I care about winning. How is that directed at Rob and the Lakers? The same thing has been done by Rob. He got AD. He didn't care about picks at all.
The Lakers disappointing season has been the root of much of the speculation about James' future.
Injuries have sabotaged the chance for him, Davis and Russell to build any sort of cohesiveness in the hopes of becoming a contender. They are 11-9 in the 20 games they have played together this season.
The biggest disappointment so far is that we all wanted to see this. We haven't been on the floor.
James is the top scorer in league history and has won four titles and four Finals awards. He wants to add as many titles to his resume as possible before he retires.
He said that the Lakers have given him an opportunity to accomplish that, and that he is very confident in the team's front office.
They have done it. The front office of the Lakers has welcomed James with open arms and given him an opportunity to play. I try to inspire kids and people that want to follow the Lakers and put them back at a level that they are accustomed to being by giving back my part of the game. That has always been my focus.
Sources told Adrian that Paul met with the Lakers on Tuesday and had a positive, clear-the-air session to get the sides back together.
James said that it was important for the meeting to stay transparent and not care about the outside noise. I think a lot of people are jealous of the relationship that Rich has with the front office and with this team and with the relationship that I have, that I have grown over the last four years. That is what I think it is.
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