Key Takeaways:
* Former Lakers coach, Byron Scott, has suggested that LeBron James should become the team’s player-coach.
* Scott believes that James’s influence in the team’s coaching and player decisions warrants him a spot on the bench to make official decisions as a coach.
* Ex-Super Bowl Champion James Jones supports Scott’s idea and emphasizes that James should take accountability for the coaches he got fired.
* It’s uncertain whether James will remain in Los Angeles for the next season, considering his impending free agency.
* Warriors star Draymond Green believes that James isn’t guaranteed to wear a Lakers jersey again, hinting at a potential team change.
Byron Scott’s Take on LeBron as Lakers’ Coach
In a surprising turn of events, Byron Scott, former Lakers coach and player, has proposed that LeBron James should serve the Lakers as a player-coach. During a May 8 episode of “Undisputed” on FS1, Scott underscored why the Lakers could benefit from asking James to coach the team.
He pointed out that more than his status as one of the greatest players, LeBron’s decisions influence the Lakers’ organization, both on a coaching and player level. So, in Scott’s perspective, this opens a path for LeBron to sit on the bench and make crucial decisions as the head coach.
Opposing Views on a Potential New Coach
Scott, who coached the Lakers for 2 years between 2014 and 2016, expressed scepticism over the proposal of introducing a novice like JJ Redick as the Lakers head coach. He stressed that the role goes beyond just camaraderie, asserting that the only person LeBron might fully trust is himself.
Commenting on Scott’s radical suggestion, former Super Bowl Champion James Jones conceded that the idea could work. He further insinuated that LeBron should take the responsibility upon himself to coach the team, citing the instances where James was linked to the dismissal of past coaches.
LeBron James’ Lakers Future in Question
Currently, it’s hard to ascertain whether LeBron will continue at Los Angeles beyond the 2024-2025 season due to his impending free agency. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed on an episode of “Get Up,” that James’s decision will largely depend on the actions taken by the Lakers around the draft.
Contrasting anticipations are circulating about James’s return to the Lakers. Some believe it’s a certainty, while others including Warriors star Draymond Green, suggest that he might consider other options if they’re more appealing.
While James’s potential return to the Lakers is generally expected, it can’t be straightaway ruled out that the legendary forward may consider swapping teams. As per oddsmakers, if a trade or free agency move happens, the Cavaliers, Knicks, and Heat seem to have a potential chance to acquire LeBron James.
Conclusion
As the air of uncertainty hangs around LeBron’s future with the Lakers and the team’s next coach, the notion of LeBron as a player-coach is sure to spark debates within the NBA community. It’s a wait and watch scenario for now, and only time will reveal the next chapter for the Lakers and LeBron James.