Rich Paul Pressures Lakers to Be Honest With LeBron James About Team’s Direction

The Los Angeles Lakers have been less focused on LeBron James ever since Luka Doncic joined via trade.

Rich Paul Pressures Lakers to Be Honest With LeBron James About Team’s Direction

Rich Paul wants Lakers to be honest with LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

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During this past offseason, the most talked-about situation was when LeBron James gave hints that he was open to playing elsewhere if the Los Angeles Lakers did not meet his requirements.

Eventually, he picked up his $53 million player option, which led some of his critics to believe that the aging superstar did not have a place to go and had to stay put.

The purple and gold organization, on the other hand, also claimed that they wanted James to retire with them. After their tumultuous run of inconsistent form in December, question marks have been raised if the franchise was better off without the 4-time league MVP.

As an organization, you have to decide what is this year going to be. That should be communicated to your star guys in terms of ‘Hey, we’re probably not going to be active at the trade deadline for these reasons.’ Most people think, ‘Oh, we’d be a lot better if LeBron wasn’t making $54M.’ Well, that’s not true.

Rich Paul said on the Game Over Podcast

This was the Klutch Sports CEO demanding that the Lakers clarify to their top players what they are going to do before the trade deadline. Clarity can be the only way the players can figure out, along with their coaches, how to approach the rest of the season.

Rich Paul clarified that just because LeBron James makes $53 million does not mean removing him can solve the Lakers’ problems, as many of his critics believe it does. That is why he wants the franchise to clarify what they want to do.

Max Kellerman wants LeBron James to initiate offense more than Luka Doncic

While talking about the Lakers, Game Over Podcast co-host Max Kellerman then brought up a theory that he has been thinking about the team.

(I want) LeBron to initiate the offense for a couple of reasons. 1. Luka has been James Harden 2.0. I’m saying (he’s) a stat dude… It doesn’t result in a championship… If one dude is dribbling the ball to death… That’s not going to work.

Max Kellerman said

The analyst reiterated that even though Luka Doncic dragged the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, his isolation playing style has historically never brought any team a championship.

Kellerman wants LeBron James to initiate the offense, as these past couple of wins have proved that distributing the ball to the other players has led to better production on the floor. If the Lakers want to involve their other players and be less predictable, it should be the all-time leading scorer bringing up the ball, as he has a penchant for finding open looks.

Lakers’ upcoming games will prove LeBron James’ value

After the horrendous run of games in December, the Los Angeles Lakers won both their games to open January. Those wins showcased what the team can do with a game plan that involves everyone.

LeBron James passing the ball
LeBron James passing the ball (Image via Esto en Linea/X)

Austin Reaves‘ injury has placed a greater onus on LeBron James, both as a playmaker and a scorer. However, Luka Doncic is still leading the scoring charts, and it will likely remain that way.

Where James comes in is in how he is utilized in this rotation. With Reaves out, James’ playmaking can be utilized to the point where the Lakers become a problem for opposing defenses.

In December, the team was becoming predictable. If the King takes over as Max Kellerman wants, his value to the Los Angeles Lakers will be more than his critics would like. It could open up ways for this team to succeed down the line.

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