Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reiterated his desire to play for the franchise after several enigmatic comments during a break at the All-Star Game.
“It’s a franchise I see myself with. I’m here, I’m here,” James said Dave McMenamine of ESPN after losing to the Lakers from the Los Angeles Clippers with a score of 105-102 on Friday. “I see myself with purple and gold while I can play.”
James ’return home to Cleveland for the All-Stars celebrations of 2021-22 has sparked speculation about his future as his 19-year career begins to wind down. He is commented on his desire to eventually reunite with his son Armor, and does not rule out that he will still work for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 37-year-old backed up his statement about wanting to play with Armor, saying on Friday: “If I can play with my son, I would do it. … That doesn’t mean I don’t want to play. be with this franchise ”.
Agent James, Rich Paul, as reported this week met with the Lakers office to discuss the future of James with Los Angeles following the expiration of his contract after the 2022-23 season.
This season, the Lakers are only 27-32, finishing ninth in the Western Conference two years after winning the NBA Championship.
Much of the frustration around the team’s campaign came from a lack of cohesion between James and other stars Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrookwho together missed 40 games.
“I want us to just play the best basketball and at the same time between me, E.D. and Ras on the floor, ”James said. “It’s the biggest disappointment so far that the three of us – because we all wanted to see this work, we just weren’t on the floor.”
While Davis has dropped out for at least another three weeks due to a foot injury, James will have to be a driving force in fixing the ship as the Lakers strive for a deep playoff.