Report: LeBron ‘Adamant’ Lakers Make Roster Upgrades

Is LeGM back messing with his roster?

LeBron James will definitely be on the Lakers for two more years after agreeing to a 1+1, $97.1 million extension with the team. However, LeBron didn’t just sign the offer when it was first presented to him back in early August. The first meeting with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and Head coach Darvin Ham was less about LeBron’s extension, and more about roster upgrades and on-court strategy. Now a new report from Jovan Buha of The Athletic is saying LeBron is not happy with the current roster in place. Rumors of LeBron wanting Kyrie Irving have been swirling for weeks.

Via The Athletic: 

“The primary complication in James’ decision was that he has been privately adamant that the Lakers still need to improve the current roster and trade for superstar point guard Kyrie Irving, league sources have told The Athletic…. James’ commitment also puts the Lakers on the clock to rebuild a championship-level roster. As currently constructed, the Lakers aren’t championship contenders.”

LeBron James' decision to re-sign with the #Lakers was not without complications.

Sources tell @jovanbuha James has been privately adamant that the Lakers still need to improve the current roster – and need to trade for Kyrie Irving.https://t.co/cbGMumLZUS

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 18, 2022

Bringing Kyrie back together With LeBron feels like the quickest way back to contention, and with Russell Westbrook in the mix, getting rid of him could be addition by subtraction.

It sounds like the Los Angeles  Lakers will head to training camp with the roster as it stands, which means they’re going to have to figure out the best path moving forward on how to utilize Russell Westbrook. That 100% more drama surrounding the Lakers, but the real question is, can Anthony Davis stay healthy?

If AD can return to his former self, and stay healthy in the process, the Lakers should be able to contend in the West.

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