Future Of LeBron, Lakers Murkier Than Ever Entering Post-Break Part Of Season

Things are clearly getting uncomfortable in Los Angeles. More specifically, LeBron James doesn’t seem happy with the Lakers, or especially, general manager Rob Pelinka.

Granted, that’s all speculation, but it’s based on a narrative James seemingly attempted to create on purpose over All-Star Weekend in Cleveland.

First, James praised Thunder head of basketball operations Sam Presti for his fine work of rebuilding his franchise. Then, James told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic that the “door’s not closed” on yet another return to the Cavaliers.

Oh, and the Lakers enter the final stretch of the season continuing to look little more than a contender for the play-in tournament. And for the next month or so, they’ll get to do it (again) without star forward Anthony Davis, out with an ankle sprain.

How bad are things between James, Pelinka and the Lakers? Bad enough that The Athletic’s Bill Oram described it as “the early days of an all-out war.”

Hoops Wire Poll: LeBron James Back On The Cavs https://t.co/UdzfWEFCSa pic.twitter.com/crGA8XD1q4

— Hoops Wire (@WireHoops) February 20, 2022

Apparently, not even the late Kobe Bryant had as much say and sway as James currently holds with the franchise. This is generally the case with LeBron. He doesn’t make the roster moves, but he typically is often behind them anyway.

At least, that’s been the case with him in LA and Cleveland. (Heat head of basketball operations Pat Riley was very clearly was in charge in Miami, not necessarily caring what James thought.)

But this is about the Lakers, and right now, things are a mess. Pelinka and perhaps coach Frank Vogel will take the blame and be the fall guys, but James was all for the offseason trade for Russell Westbrook, and Westbrook has been a massively clunky fit.

As RealGM wrote, “James helped strong-arm the Lakers into a trade for Russell Westbrook, which has been a disaster.”

That’s not all.

“Pelinka clearly misspoke when he said there was ‘alignment’ between the front office and James and Davis,” RealGM added, echoing Oram’s piece. “James clearly wanted the Lakers to do something at the deadline.”

The Lakers (27-31) enter the post-break portion of the schedule in ninth place in the Western Conference, having lost seven of 10. Every victory, in fact, is treated like some amazing accomplishment.

They won’t be able to make any sort of earth-shattering move until the offseason, and even that would likely have to consist of trading Davis … or even James. It’s highly doubtful they consider either option. It’s highly likely that things don’t magically get better.

James appears unhappy, Pelinka appears unhappy, and the Lakers are lucky to be a .500 team. Other than all that, things are on the up and up.