MY ACCOUNT
LeBron James does not intend to play a significant role in any offseason roster moves the Los Angeles Lakers make.
The Lakers missed the NBA playoffs after finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record, resulting in head coach Frank Vogel being fired after a frustrating campaign.
James and Anthony Davis were reportedly particularly influential in the decision for Los Angeles to blow up their roster with a trade for Russell Westbrook last year, who endured a disappointing season.
It seems James will now take a back seat during an impending roster shake up, insisting his focus is solely on leading the team that the Lakers put on the floor.
“It’s human nature to start thinking about the roster and what it could look like and how we could have a roster that brings in more wins,” said James, speaking to the media prior to the announcement of Vogel’s dismissal.
“I’ve started to think about it a little bit. It’s not solely on me obviously, but we definitely want to be better coming into next year.
“It’s not my decision to sit here and say, ‘Well, this is what we should bring back and have on the roster.’ That would be the front office’s decision.
“Obviously they may ask for my input, but at the end of the day, they’ll make the decision they feel best suits this franchise going forward.
“I think the front office is gonna do whatever it takes to help this ball club become better.
“It’s my job to make sure I’m ready at the start of training camp, ready to lead the franchise and the team that’s put on the floor. That is my focus.”
James will turn 38 next season, which will be his 20th in the league, but he remains keen to help the Lakers win another championship, and insisted that only his physical condition would decide how much longer he remains in the NBA.
“I came here to win a championship and I want to win more,” he added. “I accomplished what I wanted to, but I’m still hungry for more.
“I’m confident this organisation wants the same. It’s what this organisation has always been about.
“How long [will] I play? It’s up to my health. It’s up to my spirit, my motivation … I don’t have a cap on how long I want to play, I don’t want to say this or that.
“My wife doesn’t wanna hear that if it’s longer than a certain amount of years! But I can still produce at a high level as I showed this year, for sure.”
