Amid speculation over his future – and where he may take it – Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James remained coy when pressed for details by ESPN.
LeBron was in Las Vegas to watch his son, Bronny James, playing in a Summer League game for the Lakers against the New Orleans Pelicans.
With plenty of reporters scouring the floor of the Thomas & Mack Center, someone was bound to get up the journalistic courage to approach LeBron and ask him about any potential moves he could make.
That someone was ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who approached LeBron but came back empty handed.
McMenamin said that he asked James if he wanted to appear on the broadcast to address the rampant speculation about his future as a Laker, but LeBron declined, saying, ‘I ain’t got nothing to talk about.’
That was part of a fuller report that McMenamin gave live on the air.
LeBron James shut down a chance to address his future with the Lakers live on ESPN
Rumors have put James at the center of trade speculation to move him away from Los Angeles
LeBron was in Las Vegas to watch his son, Bronny, who struggled against the Pelicans
‘The question on everybody’s mind is, “Where will LeBron be playing next season?” I tell you, I can barely walk five feet in Vegas without someone approaching me and wondering that very thing,’ McMenamin said on air.
He continued: ‘What caused the speculation was a statement by LeBron’s agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, given to ESPN’s Shams Charania, when James opted into the final year of his contract with the Lakers for $53 million last month. But Paul said, “LeBron intends to play on a championship contender, whatever time is left in his career, and will be closely monitoring Lakers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, Rob Pelinka’s, moves to improve the team.”‘
McMenamin notes that the Lakers are poised to compete now – while they still have LeBron paired with star point guard Luka Doncic.
The reporter also said that Paul made it clear that LeBron did not ask for a trade and did not ask for a contract extension beyond next season.
However, Paul did tell McMenamin that ‘four teams contacted him with interest in trading for LeBron.’
But rather than address the elephant in the room, LeBron decided to stay in the stands and watch his son in peace.
Unfortunately, Bronny didn’t have the greatest of evenings. He put up 14 points and three assists on a 5-for-11 shooting line, while only hitting 1-of-5 attempts from 3-point range. He also committed four turnovers and four fouls.
The Lakers summer league team has a record of 1-1 so far.
