(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LeBron James is officially back with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Contrary to what some people thought, this was never in doubt.
As it happens every single time he’s about to become a free agent, James stirred the pot with some comments midway through the season.
So, now that all deals have been made official, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka released a statement regarding James’ signing (via Michael Scotto):
“Alongside fellow team captain Anthony Davis, LeBron and new Lakers head coach JJ Redick will together lead a championship-caliber team that will play with great pride every time they take the floor,” Pelinka said.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka on re-signing LeBron James: “Alongside fellow team captain Anthony Davis, LeBron and new Lakers head coach JJ Redick will together lead a championship-caliber team that will play with great pride every time they take the floor.”
Full statement shown below. pic.twitter.com/YZMIPN3ELw
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 7, 2024
Nonetheless, just like it’s been the case for most of LeBron’s tenure in Southern California, this team isn’t built to win an NBA championship.
It’s crazy to think that LeBron has been a Laker for longer than he played for the Miami Heat.
That NBA championship in the bubble in Orlando looks more like an outlier than the reality, as the Lakers have been a borderline playoff team — and have even missed the playoffs — since James arrived in Los Angeles.
And even though they will always have a chance with him and Anthony Davis on the court, that’s not likely to change in the foreseeable future.
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