LeBron James’ Exit Leads 17-Year Vet to Warn Lakers Organization & Fans Who Turned on Him: “Good Luck”

It was no secret that several Lakers fans and the team's top brass were starting to turn on LeBron James towards the end of his time there.

LeBron James’ Exit Leads 17-Year Vet to Warn Lakers Organization & Fans Who Turned on Him: “Good Luck”

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers left many wondering why he would quit a stable and apt environment to take a chance on himself in what could be his final year in the NBA.

The superstar set up base in the city after moving from his hometown in Akron, Ohio. Those investments in Hollywood helped him become a billionaire. On top of that, it was reported that he would use his connections in the West to become a team owner once he retired.

That last dream has crashed. After the Lakers’ sale this past season, it became evident that it would require billions to become even a minority owner.

Then, this past season, the franchise’s top brass’ true feelings came to light when ESPN reported that governor Jeanie Buss was not happy with her leading superstar’s attitude.

That should be a good enough indication of how the rest of the personnel sitting up top think about him, and that may have pushed LeBron James out the door.

Historically, when LeBron James leaves an organization, it goes backwards. Do you notice other key role players decide to leave? It’s simple, a majority of players trust playing with him. The Lakers front office will pay a price along with a fan base that wanted him gone. Good luck.

Eddie A Johnson wrote on X

This was the 17-year veteran who felt that the Lakers’ executives, along with their irate fans, were going to pay for essentially running the four-time champion out.

He pointed out that wherever LeBron James has left, the franchise takes years to return to prominence. Now, he believes it will be the same after watching how free agency unfolded.

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Marcus Smart follows LeBron James out of the door

Eddie A Johnson believes that history is about to repeat itself with the Los Angeles Lakers. That is because of what he felt LeBron James brought to the table, both as a player and a leader.

Marcus Smart's defense was crucial for Lakers
Marcus Smart’s defense was crucial for Lakers (Image via Ritmo NBA/X)

He was referring to how players have often made it clear how the King helped elevate them. Johnson does not believe the same will happen with the players the Lakers are building around now.

Moreover, the team has already lost two other players to free agency. Luke Kennard‘s move to the Phoenix Suns might be dismissed as a pure money grab. But Marcus Smart‘s exit will impact the team’s defense.

The veteran guard was a dawg on that side of the floor, and his instincts were impactful on offense. There is a reason why the Houston Rockets decided to give him a two-year, $13 million contract.

He could have made more in endorsements in Los Angeles, but chose to skip states after LeBron James, with whom he had a good relationship, left.

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Lakers could lose two more defensive aces

Marcus Smart may have been the first domino to fall, but it seems the Los Angeles Lakers will lose two more defensive aces. It was already reported that Rui Hachimura was looking for the most money, something the franchise did not have until LeBron James decided to part ways.

But once free agency opened, the organization signed Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million deal. With that sort of money being paid to a player who essentially plays a similar role to the Japanese star indicates that they know the latter will not return.

The Lakers could open up another $7 million in cap space by waiving and stretching Jarred Vanderbilt, per Daniel Starkand.

NBA Central reported

The forward was one of the team’s better defenders in the postseason. True, he has had health issues over the past two years, but his importance to their defensive rotation could not be undermined.

The Lakers might be banking on their recent draft picks to compensate for this exodus, but as Eddie A Johnson said, there is more to it than just players leaving.

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