FOR the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting with LeBron James could mean allowing the NBA legend to have a say in their next coach.
After the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Lakers from NBA playoff contention for the second year in a row under the guidance of head coach Darvin Ham, they wasted no time in cutting ties with the 50-year-old.
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Now searching for a replacement, the Lakers also face uncertainty on the court with James entering the second of his two-year, $99 million contract.
Following the Game 5 loss to Denver, James was non-committal on whether or not he plans to return to the Lakers next season, simply saying “I don’t have an answer.”
He later doubled down on this on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he said“I saw and heard many reports about my future.
“I said it last night and I will say it again. I don’t know yet, as I’m just thinking about spending time with my family and friends!
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“When I know, after speaking to the family, my advice and also my representation on this, you will know.”
If the Lakers want to keep James for another season, it will likely require the franchise to be willing to listen to his opinion.
“Committing to the King means committing to the entire LeBron James experience, including a potentially hand-picked replacement for Ham,” he said. Bleacher Report.
A potential replacement could be former NBA star turned ESPN analyst and podcaster JJ Redick.
Currently co-hosting Mind The Game Pod alongside James, his name was thrown into the mix as a potential candidate shortly after news of Ham’s firing was made public by The Athletics’ Shams Charania.
Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson and Ty Lue were also listed.
Redick’s potential candidacy may surprise some, given that he has no coaching experience at this point.
Regardless, he was described as “a real contender” by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin in The Dan Patrick Show.
Another potential way the Lakers could entice James to return would be by drafting his son Bronny.
Having declared for the upcoming draft while also entering the transfer portal to keep their options open, the Lakers are reportedly open to bringing in the USC star, as per Atlético.
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That said, “the idea of them playing together is not a priority, not top of mind, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind,” ESPN said. Adrian Wojnarowski was led to believe through conversations with his agent Rich Paul.
“I think what LeBron James, Bronny James and what Rich Paul said was, if in some organic way they ended up together, that would be great,” Wojnarowski told NBA Today.
“But you look at the Lakers’ draft asset, No. 17, which is a really big pick for the Lakers to probably use in a big trade.
“You’re not going to use that on Bronny James at 17. And then they have number 55. He might as well be gone by then.”
Along with the Lakers head coaching hire, the next hint about where James sees himself playing in 2024-2025 could come after the draft on June 27.
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