The Lakers’ top brass are reportedly putting their heads together to avoid a repeat of last season’s disaster.
The Lakers’ top brass are reportedly putting their heads together to avoid a repeat of last season’s disaster.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, LeBron James and his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, met with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach Darvin Ham on Thursday, and the meeting was “productive.”
The possibility of James signing a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension was reportedly discussed. However, the Lakers’ star appears to be more concerned with putting the franchise in the best possible position to succeed on the court next season.
According to reports, James and Ham agree that the Lakers’ offence should revolve around Anthony Davis. The Lakers have been encouraged by Davis’s continued progress toward top-level fitness, with the possibility of him carrying a much heavier load next season. According to Haynes’ report, Ham and James also agreed to hold all players “accountable,” to foster “selflessness,” and to increase defensive tenacity among all players on the team’s roster.
James is in his 20th NBA season and his fifth with the Lakers. The 18-time All-Star averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last season.
Last season, the Lakers finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs, marking the second time in James’ four years with the Lakers that the Lakers did not qualify for the playoffs, after James had previously missed postseason play twice in his previous 15 seasons.