The rumors of LeBron James' breakup with the Lakers had already caused a stir ahead of Game 5 of the NBA against the Nuggets, and they came too suddenly.
LeBron James has once again caused a stir in the NBA world, with rumors that he may leave the Lakers this summer.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has shown that his days in the NBA are numbered. However, the latest in the rumours is that the 39-year-old James could leave Los Angeles immediately.
According to ESPN and Amazon announcer Carly Chapman, the Lakers' G5 against the Nuggets could be James' last game under the Purple and Gold.
"Just got an inside message from a friend," Chapman wrote on Twitter. He said G5 was LeBron James' last game under the purple and gold. ”
Of course, it can be said that this is pure speculation at the moment, as James has not officially announced any plans.
There have also been a lot of conflicting reports, with ESPN's Brian Windhorst expressing a different perspective through The Pat McAfee Show.
"I don't think LeBron James is going to retire, I do think he's going to play at least one more season... I don't really think he's going to leave the Lakers... I think he's going to choose to give up his contract because I think Bronny is going to be in the draft. ”
Although Windhorst predicted James would stay with the Lakers, he admitted that the 20-time All-Star may choose to forfeit his contract because his son Bronny James has been declared a member of the NBA draft.
However, Bronny may struggle to be drafted this summer, as he averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in his freshman season at USC.
While LeBron has made it clear that he wants to play with his son, he may have to wait another year. Bronny has also entered the NCAA transfer portal, so he may spend another year at another college to improve his game.
If Bronny continues to be in school, what reason does LeBron James have to leave Los Angeles immediately?
LeBron James is unlikely to pursue a championship at this stage of his NBA career, and a different team would be more suitable for James to play with Bronny.
Of course, Chapman's tweet assumed that the Lakers would lose to the Nuggets. While it's highly unlikely that Los Angeles will pull off a historic 0-3 comeback in the Western Conference playoffs quarterfinals series, the team could continue to fight for their season with an away win on the court.
Technically, if LeBron leaves after the playoffs, his final game against the Lakers will be their next loss.
However, assuming Los Angeles is eventually defeated by the defending champions, what reason does LeBron have to jump ship?
While it's certainly unpleasant to be eliminated by the same team for two years in a row, the four-time MVP's priorities may be different now.
If he forces a move to a championship-winning team in the offseason, he will have to move again, as well as adjust to another new environment. In addition, depending on where Bronny goes, LeBron may also need to join a second team the following year.
It may be more convenient for LeBron to wait for Bronny's future in Los Angeles to become clearer, and while the four-time championship winner is undoubtedly looking to add to his own collection of championship rings, it can be too much of a hassle to pursue another team's championship while trying to play with his son.
Until LeBron James himself makes his own statements, it's best not to believe the rumors too much.
Of course, the so-called groundless wind may be the information released by James's team.