Lakers writer sends dire LeBron James warning upon return, could force LA 'back into the morass'

Hunter Cookston

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Lakers writer sends dire LeBron James warning upon return, could force LA 'back into the morass' image

The Los Angeles Lakers are very close to getting LeBron James back. The 40-year-old has missed the season up to this point with an injury and could return against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. However, even with the excitement of coming back, he hasn’t missed the grind of constant travel.

“I missed these guys. Just seeing them go out there and working. I love the work, I love the process of working. I don't miss the travel. I'm about to be 41 years old. I was happy to be at home on my couch after working out,” James said.

James is well aware of the doubters who believe his return will disrupt the Lakers’ chemistry, but he shut that talk down immediately.

“Don’t matter… I’ve never had a position… There’s not one team, one club, in the world that I can’t fit in and play for. I can do everything on the floor,” James told the media.

Lake Show Life’s Josh Cornelissen believes James’ return could disrupt the momentum the Lakers have built without him.

“If LeBron James returns he will need the ball; that is the primary way that he brings value to a team. He has proven he can do that with another on-ball star, going back to his successes with Dwyane Wade and Kyrie Irving, but he was always the No. 1 option. He is an improved shooter but he's hardly a 3-and-D wing; his value to the team decreases if he isn't handling the ball. Whether it's LeBron playing off-ball or LeBron taking touches away from Doncic and Reaves, he will be hurting the offense,” Cornelissen wrote. “Where the Lakers most desperately need help is on defense, and LeBron is not going to inject the team with energy and hustle at 40 years of age. The return of LeBron James could ruin this team's hot start and see them plummeting back into the morass of the Western Conference middle class -- or worse.”

It’s certainly a bold take, but none of this can be proven until James is actually back on the floor.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves want to play with James, and there has undoubtedly been communication among the trio. No one is going into this blind, so it shouldn’t be the major issue some are making it out to be.

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Contributing writer

Contributing Writer