Is it time for LeBron James to pack his bags and leave the Lakers for the sake of the franchise? With the major changes that the Lakers have undergone recently–giving up Anthony Davis and acquiring Luka Doncic–the team will time need time to adjust. A championship amid such circumstances seems a far-fetched dream. So, Charles Barkley, for one, believes Bron should realize the reality of the situation and get the Lakers what they need for the future instead of him.
On a recent episode of The Dan Patrick Show, Barkley was asked whether LeBron James would stick around now that Doncic is in the picture. And in true Chuck fashion, he didn’t hold back.
“What is he [Bron] hanging around for? I personally think if I was him, the Lakers are not contenders right now. I would waive my no trade… Do a Tom Brady and go put myself in a perfect situation where I can have two more bites of the apple,” Chuck said.
The TNT analyst was referring to the fact that in the present situation, Bron has perfect cards in his hands. “He can go to the Lakers and say… ‘I can get y’all a couple of players, maybe a couple of draft picks. Let’s pick out a perfect scenario,’” he said.
Nov 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Barkley once again referred to the fact that this is exactly what Tom Brady did when moving from New England Patriots to Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For those unaware, the Patriots received the 96th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft as compensation for Brady’s departure. This was the highest compensatory pick in the draft.
Barkley believes that if he were in LeBron’s shoes he would do something similar that could set both himself and the Lakers up for success. It’s a fair argument, but there’s just one problem: LeBron James isn’t interested.
Despite all the chatter, King James isn’t looking to force his way out of LA. The Lakers would need his approval to trade him, and let’s be honest, they’re not getting it. According to The Athletic, Bron has no plans to waive his no-trade clause, even after the team shocked everyone by moving on from Davis.
Sure, he was caught off guard by the trade, and Davis was more than just a teammate—he was a close friend. But LeBron understands that basketball is a business, and now, his new reality is sharing the court with Doncic.
LeBron James’ hope for another championship with the Lakers is gone?
There was a time when if you asked LeBron James whether he believed he could win another championship with the Lakers before he retired, he wouldn’t have hesitated. “Of course,” he once told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, without a shred of doubt.
And why wouldn’t he believe it? “Cause we’ve done it before,” James had said, referring to the Lakers’ 2020 championship run. But let’s be real—the team hasn’t been able to replicate that magic since. And here’s the real issue: the key piece that once made Bron’s confidence justifiable is no longer in LA.
For years, James emphasized that as long as he and Anthony Davis were together, the Lakers would always have a shot. “We still have two guys who commit every single day, myself and AD. We commit to excellence,” he once told Bleacher Report.
But now? Davis is with the Mavericks. Suddenly, LeBron James’ optimism feels a little shaky. The Lakers have already struggled with chemistry, constantly reshuffling their roster, hoping for the right mix. Now, with Luka Doncic, that adjustment period for LA just got a whole lot tougher. Amid such circumstances, there could very well be a point in Charkes Barkley’s argument.
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