Baxter Holmes’ ESPN feature on the Los Angeles Lakers included deep reporting on the family dysfunction and betrayal that preceded the franchise’s recent sale. Yet as all things must, most of the second-wave analysis of the piece circles back to LeBron James.
In turn, a handful of paragraphs detailing governor Jeanie Buss’ feelings on James’ role with the team could cause him to do some circling back of his own.
Sources told Holmes that Buss resented James and Klutch Sports’ influence over the franchise and was bothered by the (accurate) perception that James chose to come to the Lakers, as opposed to the organization getting credit for acquiring him in 2018. Holmes reported Buss felt James escaped blame for his hand in the ill-fated Russell Westbrook trade, and also that she “privately mused” about not extending James’ contract—or even trading him to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022.
Buss refuted that reporting which, in fairness, likely came from some of the siblings who benefitted less from the sale than she did.
It probably doesn’t matter that Buss could also point to the franchise’s history of appeasing James during his tenure. Or that her actions—granting James the contracts he wanted, drafting his son in the second round and outwardly accepting his level of power and influence—count for more than her words behind the scenes.
From James’ perspective, Buss can’t unring that bell. What’s more, the landscape in L.A. has changed.
New ownership is in place, James continues to age and, most importantly, Luka Dončić is the organization’s unquestioned centerpiece. Whatever concessions Buss or anyone in a position of Lakers influence might have once begrudgingly made to James are no longer practical or necessary. James knows this for certain in the wake of Holmes’ report, but he probably had a pretty good sense of the changed dynamics when he couldn’t secure a contract extension over the offseason.
Perhaps that’s why James’ agent, Rich Paul, didn’t mind ruffling feathers by suggesting the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves. If the union is already broken, there’s really no reason for James or anyone who represents him to hold back. Paul might have said exactly the same thing years ago, when James was still in a powerful position. It’s just that there are no consequences anymore.
Odds are, this is not how LeBron wants to end his career. The trouble is, he’s not going to find another situation where he wields the level of influence he did with the Lakers.
He can, however, replace power with adoration and gratitude, which might actually be preferable alternatives.
The Lakers play at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 28.
The Cavs are mired in a disappointing season and look nothing like the 64-win outfit they were a year ago. Assuming this story is still whipping around the news cycle when James plays in Cleveland, just imagine how fans frustrated by the current team will receive their favored son if they think there’s a chance he might return to the fold one more time.
They can show him the love he’ll never get again in Los Angeles.
Sentiment aside, there’s a good case to be made that the Cavs need what James might provide them on the court. Though there’s no realistic path to a third tour with Cleveland at this year’s deadline, James will be a free agent in July. He could sign for the minimum, announce his retirement at the end of the year and have a legitimate shot to help the Cavaliers reach the Finals in an East that provides a perpetually easier path to that stage than the West does.
The savior narrative would rev back up, just like it did when he returned to Cleveland the first time in 2014—only this time the sense of finality would add even more juice to the story.
James, by the way, hasn’t officially said he’s going to call it quits after this season. No shade intended, but doesn’t it seem likelier that he’d want a retirement tour like Kobe Bryant enjoyed as opposed to the quiet, unassuming fadeout favored by Tim Duncan? You’d better believe Cleveland will oblige with maximum fanfare if James opts to close things out where they started.
There’s an undeniable theme of natural order in this hypothetical—not just in the full-circle sense of beginnings and endings happening in the same place, but also in dissolution begetting reunion. Things fall apart, and eventually they get put back together again.
Holmes’ story is mostly about the Buss family disintegrating. James’ relationship with the Lakers is coming undone in the aftermath.
A return to Cleveland, where he’ll be welcomed, appreciated and better positioned to go out on his own terms, is the way to put all the scattered pieces back where they belong.
Grant Hughes covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Bluesky and subscribe to the Hardwood Knocks podcast, where he appears with Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale.
