Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Urged to Trade LeBron James Like Her Dad Traded Shaquille O’Neal

It is safe to say that LeBron James has had an illustrious career in the last 18 years. The NBA world was struck with lightning when James came on the scene. He was one of the few special players who just stood apart ever since his rookie year. But now 37, he has not had the same impact as he had a few years back. 

Having said that, he still has been performing at an exceptional level, considering his age. James certainly has been one of the best players for the Lakers this season as well. As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent. James, even in a below-par season is better than most. On his best days, he has been as good as any in the league and might even be one of the very best this season.

The situation of how LeBron and the Lakers see each other is just as diplomatic as everything you have just read right now.

Is trading LeBron James the final solution for the Lakers?

LeBron and the Lakers board are stuck at a standstill or a crossroad of decision-making for a better long-term future of the team. Jeanie Buss is under the cosh with some difficult decisions ahead to make the team better and think about the betterment of the team above anything else. In light of this, Colin Cowherd recently claimed an arguable and debatable solution for the Lakers moving forward in years to come.

On his YouTube talk show ‘The Herd’, he made some big comments about the LeBron-Lakers situation. He said that the only sensible solution for both parties would be to part ways. He mentioned how the father of the current owner/president of the LA Lakers, made tough decisions when the time came. Colin remembered how he let go of Shaq when the team needed a reshuffle for a better future. Colin also spoke about how Shaq was more loved by the Lakers fan base than James is because the kid from Akron is an outsider just like himself (Colin).

“‘Jeanie Buss’ dad did not cave to superstars though he loved them. He traded Shaq, and Shaq was significantly more popular in LA than LeBron, it’s not close.” said Colin.

Although few of his points would make James’ fans fuming may be deservedly so, yet some of his points made complete sense and there is no denying them. One of those facts was that the players who created history at Lakers were there in their prime, unlike James. As good as James is at 37, it is fair to say that he was a different gravy in his prime. Maybe the Lakers want a different gravy in someone else right now, or maybe they want someone promising and consistent partnering up with James. 

Read More: Lakers Are Not Keeping LeBron Happy

What’s next for LeBron and the Lakers?

Whether one agrees with Colin or not completely depends on how they look at things. But the fact that no one can deny is that things do not look good for the Lakers right now.

The dynamic between the player and the team has been tense in the middle of an underwhelming season. Despite an experienced roster with ample talent, the Lakers are 9th seed in Western Conference. That is way below expectations from a team as successful as the Lakers. The situation is like a coin where one can hope for one side to appear on being tossed but nobody can say for sure which side would appear. One can not agree or disagree to any side of it, but can only get disappointed when the face they called does not appear. 

LeBron James has been exceptional, even sensational at times even at this stage of his career. Whereas he might not be what the Lakers need right now. They lack a lot of things and the major one is looking like a team. People might want him to stay, might want him to leave. There are no wrong sides here but only opinions. 

What do you think? Should James and Lakers part ways? Let us know in the comments below.