Reports of growing tensions between LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers' front office have emerged, despite the organization's best efforts to quell them. After some cryptic comments made by James over All-Star Weekend, rumors began to flare suggesting his time with the Lakers could soon come to an end, due to disagreements with the power structure in LA. According to The Athletic, those closest to LeBron insist that The King has no issue with the Lakers' hierarchy.
“In terms of the James factor, and the question of whether he has an issue with the Lakers’ power structure that is so often questioned by others, sources close to him continue to insist he does not. But the voices that still matter, as we’ve been reminded of late, don’t stop there,” wrote Sam Amick and Bill Oram.
LeBron's inner circle maintains the stance that James is on good terms with the likes of Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka, and that all of them remain on the same page about the Lakers' future. Despite the rumblings of unhappiness in Los Angeles, both parties insist they're committed to making things work.
The Lakers' brass, including Buss and Pelinka, reportedly met with James after the All-Star break, a meeting which both sides claim was productive. Rich Paul even released a statement after the meeting in which he voiced his support for LA's front office. Whether that was an attempt to quiet the noise regarding James' future remains to be seen, but both sides are adamantly downplaying any potential issues.