Some players use the All-Star break to get together and compete with each other. Some players use the time to take a vacation and reset. LeBron James used the All-Star break as a business trip.
According to Brian Windhorst, James was offended by the Lakers’ inactivity during the trade deadline and general manager Rob Pelinka telling the media that the front office and James were aligned on that path. Dave McMenamin reported that there was no sign-off by James on keeping the roster intact.
James proceeded to praise Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti during All-Star weekend to the media while also flirting with the idea of a second return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also reiterated his goal of playing one season with his son before he retires.
Potential plans aside, the message James is sending to the Lakers is clear: this roster is unacceptable and big moves are needed to keep him invested. And as long as the Lakers are in the LeBron James business, they’ll need to keep him bought in.
We could be getting our fourth summer of LeBron, just not in the way we’re used to.