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Draymond Green drops eye-opening take on LeBron James’ Lakers future

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Jay Postrado | Last updated 5/1/24

The situation that the Los Angeles Lakers are in is very tricky. They have the choice to run it back with nearly the same core as they did a year ago and hope for the best next season. Or, a decision could be made to shake up the core such that they get new guys and explore better schemes. Whether it’s Rui Hachimura, Darvin Ham, or any other member of this squad, no one is safe. Not even the great LeBron James is certain about staying. Even Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has a hard time deciphering where The King is headed.

LeBron James has refused to comment on his future. After losing yet again to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs, it was hard to gauge if he was still happy to stay with the Lakers. He blasted the Darvin Ham-led coaching staff for not challenging calls and even refused requests to get out of the game because of an injury. There have been a lot of defiant moments that suggest that the Lakers legend has not been in the greatest situation. Draymond Green outlines the conundrum that this squad now has to face, via The Volume

“I think the Lakers, they really got to decide what it is they want to do. Like, are you comfortable going into next season with pretty much the same supporting cast that you have? If LeBron decides to leave, what do you do then? Trade AD? I think there’s a lot of uncertainty coming out of that organization,” the Warriors forward declared.

Is he going back to the Lakers?

Apr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the net against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the fourth quarter during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports © Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James is known for going deep in the NBA Playoffs. But, for the first time in 17 seasons where he made the cut to the postseason, he has played the least games in a run. The Lakers legend only got to five games this year and the only other season where he played one series was in 2021. Even then, he managed to stretch his team’s seasons by six games instead of just five.

This lacking success since Darvin Ham took over the Lakers is a big factor heading into the offseason. The people around him and their capability to run with him as he enters the age of 40 are also things to look at. But, Draymond Green did make an interesting claim about the Lakers star’s future.

“Some people think it’s a foregone conclusion that Bron is going back to the Lakers. I don’t know that it’s a foregone conclusion. If there was something that came about that was interesting, I think he’d look at it. But ultimately, I don’t quite see him leaving LA,” he said.

James has shown that he could give a lot to the Lakers. After all, he played the most minutes in a postseason this year since 2017-18. He was allowed to see the floor for 40.8 minutes a game. The last time that happened, he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers battling out Stephen Curry and the Warriors dynasty. The question of him doing it, though? Well, there’s no definite answer until he gives it.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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