Will LeBron James leave the Los Angeles Lakers? That question has continued being discussed amongst NBA analysts after the player’s agent, Rich Paul, revealed that “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career”. The remark indicated that LeBron James will be willing to go to another team if the Lakers do not build a championship-contending roster. Despite reports that the Lakers are “quietly plotting the most aggressive roster change”, the NBA All-Time Scorer has not publicly declared he will stay. Fortunately, a close friend of his provided Lakers fans recently with some assurance.

Shannon Sharpe recently interviewed LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue on his ‘Club Shay Shay’ show. During the conversation, Sharpe brought up one of LeBron’s recent videos, which showed the 40-year-old working out at one of the Clippers’ facilities. Lue admitted to have seen that. After Sharpe looked at the head coach suspiciously, and asked “What that mean?”, Lue jokingly said “I don’t even know if I can speak on that”. Later, Lue was asked about the “whispers” about LeBron possibly returning to Cleveland. When asked if he sees that happening, the HC said, “I don’t know”.

“You went to L.A., you’ve done everything you can do in Cleveland. I think you finish it up in L.A. I don’t know how much longer, how much longer they want him in L.A., but I think the thing is he finishes up in L.A.” said Sharpe. “I don’t think he’s done after this year. I don’t think he’s done. And the thing is, T-Lo, I was talking to somebody the other day. I said, ‘if you play 24, you might as well go and get that 25’. But I think he wants to set that record out there”.

Shannon Sharpe held the belief that LeBron James wants to add to his record as the NBA’s All-Time Scorer. He is doing this even though the active player with the 2nd-highest all-time score, Kevin Durant, currently ranks 8th on the overall list and is 11,613 points behind LeBron.

The NFL legend has been one of the most vocal supporters of the 4x NBA champion. As ‘Athlon Sports’ reporter Jaron Spor once said, “Sharpe considers him a friend”. The way LeBron hugged the analyst after a game back in January 2023 proved the same.

The discussion with Ty Lue wasn’t the first time that Shannon Sharpe claimed that LeBron James’ future will continue to be with the Los Angeles Lakers. During a segment of his ‘Nightcap’ show, the 3x Super Bowl champion stated that “No, I don’t see it happening. He loves everything about LA. Savannah loves everything about LA. I think he really loves the Lakers. I really think he loves living in LA.” Sharpe further added that “You got water, you got beaches. I mean everything. His businesses are in L.A. There’s really nothing for him not to like about L.A”. Judging from these recent remarks, Shannon Sharpe does not wish to see LeBron James leave the Lakers. Unfortunately, the same sentiment is not held by every popular voice out there.

Charles Barkley Claims LeBron James Has To “Move On” Amid Rebuild Around Luka Doncic

Several reports have now claimed that, once LeBron James retires, Luka Doncic will become the next face of the Los Angeles Lakers. A rebuild around him, however, reportedly gets delayed when LeBron James places his own demands for a championship-contending roster. The same isn’t something that Charles Barkley wishes to see.

The NBA legend recently appeared for an interview on BetMGM Network’s ‘The Bettor Angle’ show, hosted by Kate Constable and Cam Smith. During the interview, Barkley touched base on LeBron’s future and said that “LeBron is going to have to move on at some point. I mean, it is what it is. You know, he’s been there, even though he’s been putting up good numbers; they haven’t been successful in probably four years”. The former player also added that “It’s already probably Luka’s team now. You don’t sign, trade for Luka Doncic, give him all that money, and it’s not his team.”

As of now, LeBron James has not shown any additional signs that he is leaning towards a Lakers exit. On top of that, when recently asked why he wants LeBron James next to him, Luka Dončić explained, “I mean, he’s one of the best basketball players ever. So just for having him there, it’s gonna help all of us, not just me, but every player, all the staff, it’s gonna help us win ’cause he knows what to do to win”.

The NBA All-Time Scorer has the confidence of his star teammate, his close friend, and thousands of fans. However, unless LeBron James himself speaks out, it will be hard to know just how confident he is about the team’s capability to compete for a championship. Until he does that, details of his future with the Lakers will remain uncertain.