Despite what LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers have been saying publicly, there have been some obvious signs of dysfunction within the team and organization for months.
After missing the playoffs this season for just the fourth time in James’ career, rumors swirled that the Lakers could be reorganizing their roster with reports that the Brooklyn Nets could send Kyrie Irving to Los Angeles in return for Westbrook. But after those talks stalled, the Lakers’ big three of James, Westbrook and Anthony Davis publicly committed to one more year together.
That may be what James is saying publically, but according to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin, the megastar’s true feelings about the situation are vastly different, that and James has no desire to play with Westbrook for another season.
“It’s pretty darn clear that LeBron James has seen enough and he has no interest in going another year with Russell Westbrook as his teammate,” McMenamin said during an appearance on “The Lowe Post.”
This news comes after another sign of dysfunction came last week when James and Westbrook had no interaction with each other during a Summer League game in Las Vegas, sitting on opposite ends of the court – a scene the New Orleans Pelicans savagely trolled the Lakers for last week.
It could be a long offseason in Los Angeles for Lakers fans.