Report: LeBron James Told Lakers Their Coaching Search Should Be More Focused On Anthony Davis

According to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, LeBron James told the Los Angeles Lakers their coaching search should be more focused on Anthony Davis. 

LeBron, who is expected to decline his 2024-25 player option and enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, was not an active participant in the Lakers’ coaching search.

Los Angeles hired JJ Redick. 

“But Redick’s ascent to a favorite in the coaching search came without James’ urging,” Woike wrote. “People with knowledge of the situation who aren’t authorized to discuss it publicly insist that James hasn’t been involved with the search. The messaging, both publicly from his representatives and privately from within the Lakers’ inner circle, has been that this search should be more focused on Davis (who doesn’t co-host a podcast with anyone and is under contract through 2027-28) than James.”

LeBron is expected to sign a new contract with the Lakers.

A 20-time All-Star, LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018. He helped the franchise win the 2020 championship at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron’s workload. LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Lakers in 2023-24 in 71 games while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from 3 and 75.0% from the free-throw line.

LeBron is a four-time MVP, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time champion. He’s arguably the best player in NBA history. 

A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. 

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists and the only player to score 40,000 points.