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LeBron James’ urgent message to LA Lakers has backfired on the team in free agency, warns ESPN expert

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 2:48 PM ET

The LA Lakers slow start to free agency has not been what LeBron James wanted to see.

NBA superstar LeBron James re-committed his short-term future to the LA Lakers, opting into his contract.

However, LeBron James’ decision came with a warning. Via his agents at Klutch Sports, a message was delivered urging the team to re-tool with urgency.

Many interpreted this as a warning LeBron James could leave the team, with various destinations discussed, if he elected to waive his no-trade clause.

So far in free agency, James is unlikely to be happy with what he sees. The Lakers have lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, a player he admired.

And there has been no center signed, with key targets agreeing deals elsewhere.

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Ramona Shelburne on LeBron James

NBA expert Ramona Shelburne believes LeBron James’ comments may have served to backfire on the LA Lakers.

Speaking to ESPN LA, Shelburne says that James has made an already difficult situation even trickier for the Lakers front office.

She said: “It’s difficult with these restrictions and this market.

“I do think they have something coming, but they’ve made it harder on themselves.

“Quite frankly I think LeBron’s statement made it harder on them.”

Elaborating, she explained that LeBron James’ comments add uncertainty to his own future in LA, potentially creating concern for free agents.

“It’s a layered statement to cause you to be thinking about it and be talking about it, he’s trying to put pressure on them to get a better roster, but the buzz around the league is that sounded like a goodbye letter, there were past tenses used.

“I think that’s caused a lot of uncertainty around his future with the Lakers, whether it’s this year or next year.”

Trade market even tougher for the Lakers

The Lakers will eventually sign an extra player or two in free agency, having already added Jake LaRavia after a short stint with the Kings.

The trade market is another avenue open to the Lakers, but this is an even tougher one to crack.

Teams already know the Lakers are desperate, having attempted to land a center at the last trade deadline, while Rob Pelinka already expressed his intentions at the team’s exit interviews.

LeBron James’ comments heighten the urgency, and teams will be trying to take advantage of the Lakers in trade negotiations.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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