‘High Paid Security’: Why LeBron James’ Extension with Lakers Saddens Skip Bayless

LeBron James is one of the best players the NBA has ever seen. He has had multiple doubters over the years, but he has let his performances on the court do the talking. One of the pundits, who has always been critical of King James over the years is Skip Bayless.

Bayless was rather sad when he heard the news of LeBron signing a two-year extension with the Lakers. In his show Skip and Shannon Undisputed said, “All of a sudden, it’s the beginning of the end to me. All of a sudden I see LeBron’s exit strategy and truly from my heart it made me sad. Because it looked like you can see the end of the tunnel.”

“You can see he opted for security, it is a high paid security and it felt like the beginning of the end. When he approaches 40 he is going to get done with this. He will end it as a Laker no issue with that.”

He added, “It was shocking to me to sit back and think what would the NBA world be without LeBron James. He is the most interesting man in the world.”

Explaining about how LeBron is the center of the majority of NBA news. He said, “It’s always something with LeBron. Even win, lose or draw, sometimes the outcome of his games don’t matter because there is always a side show going on with LeBron’s life somewhere.”

He added, “He is the biggest draw in the league. For me, even NBA commissioner Adam Silver had to sit back and think could that be the beginning of the end.”

Why LeBron James signing the extension was crucial for the Lakers?

Being the most talented player in the league has its own perks, and LeBron James is certainly aware of that. He was the biggest reason Anthony Davis signed in with the Lakers.

The duo of James and Davis won the NBA championship last season. This became the biggest reason why other players like Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Wesley Matthews became ready to join the Lakers for less money.

Rob Pelinka knows that as long as LeBron James is there, the Lakers are going to be a championship team. The chemistry he has had with Anthony Davis is a bonus.

LeBron’s contract is over in the 2022-23 season while Davis’ contract extension takes his last season in 2023-24, but includes a player option of opting out in 2022-23. The duo knows that if they stick together, they will win championships.

If LeBron wouldn’t have signed that extension, we might not have seen Davis signing that max extension. The Lakers know the appeal James brings to the table. They know if there is LeBron, they are a championship team. LeBron staying till 2022-23 has just significantly increased the championship window for the Lakers.