The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs on Monday and they now enter an offseason of soul-searching.
One of the biggest questions is whether or not LeBron James will decide to commit to the franchise for the foreseeable future. The Lakers are apparently “all in” on keeping him in town and reportedly have an interest in drafting Bronny James as part of that.
While LeBron and the Lakers won an NBA Title in 2020, they’ve struggled in the seasons since. And if James wants to add a fifth NBA Title to his collection, the odds don’t seem great that will happen here.
Stephen A. Smith thinks that the window is officially closed. After First Take host Molly Qerim asked if this was LeBron’s last chance to win a title with the Lakers, the ESPN personality was adamant.
.@stephenasmith says if LeBron wins another ring, it won’t be as a Laker 👀 pic.twitter.com/iDzJTPGBE1
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 30, 2024
“Yes. With the Lakers, yes I believe so,” said Smith. “I believe if he wants to win, he’ll have to go elsewhere, in my humble opinion. Because I think they’re limited in what assets they can acquire in order to get the help that he needs when I take into account when the balance of power in the Western Conference and how it has elevated.”
Smith still had plenty of praise for James and his ability to be a champion once more, he’s just adamant that the superstar will have to join another team if he wants to lift the trophy once more.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.