The Los Angeles Lakers have had some ups and downs in the years since winning a championship in 2020. But in the eyes of many, the worst year was the 2022 season and the failed attempt to pair Russell Westbrook with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers failed to make the playoffs and had to attach draft capital in order to get off Westbrook’s contract the following season.
There has been a lot of discourse over who was to blame for that deal with it being widely believed that James himself, along with Davis, pushed for the Lakers to make that trade. But reportedly there were some hard feelings between James and the Lakers over how everything went down, and that disconnect between the two sides was never truly fixed, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
There was more of a disconnect between James and the organization, sources said, one that started during the doomed 2021-22 season following the Russell Westbrook trade and never fully recovered.
Prior to trading for Westbrook, the Lakers reportedly had a deal in place to acquire Buddy Hield, but pivoted away from that at the urging of James and Davis who wanted Westbrook. That deal, and the failure of those three stars being able to play together, undoubtedly set the Lakers back, hurting their depth and costing them extra draft capital.
The idea that the two sides were unable to ever truly fix whatever issues they had is a bit surprising, but once the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, the priorities switched and even James understood that. But he likely felt he was owed a bit more considering he brought the franchise a championship, while the Lakers likely felt that they had done plenty for him as well throughout his time with the team.
In the end, this simply gives more credence to the idea that it was just time for James and the Lakers to part ways. The relationship was beneficial for both sides, but they all run their course and now both will likely be better going in their separate directions.
Lakers trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards
The Lakers continue to reshape their roster this offseason as the team has agreed to a trade sending center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and a pair of second-round draft picks.
The Lakers are now expected to use the extra salary cap space to pursue a wing and backup big man to fill out their roster.
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