LeBron James clearly wasn't thrilled with everything the Los Angeles Lakers were doing. That was the main point of his agent Rich Paul's message after James opted-in to his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
But the messaging wasn't well-received by everyone. In fact, it may have cost the Lakers in a big way.
In a new ESPN story by Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelbourne, James' actions were referred to by one league executive as an "elaborate pout."
And that ESPN story reveals that James' behavior cost the Lakers Brook Lopez.
"Free agent center Brook Lopez, who league sources said had strongly considered the Lakers and the potential starting role, grew wary of the uncertainty around James' future with the team and opted to sign with the rival LA Clippers, where he will be a backup," ESPN writes.
Ouch.
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That's a brutal outcome for the Lakers, whose biggest weakness is at center.
Lopez is a former All Star, a former NBA champion and a former All-Defense member. He also is a good 3-point shooter.
Losing out on him because James expressed some discontent is probably exactly the opposite of what LeBron wanted to happen. It could genuinely be the difference in how far the Lakers go in the playoffs this season.
This surely isn't over, but it's a rough picture already.
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