LeBron James is leaving Los Angeles after eight years, continuing his NBA career away from the Lakers at a destination yet to be confirmed.
It’s the biggest story of the free agency window. The 41-year-old’s agent, Rich Paul, announced on Tuesday that his client has decided to seek a new challenge after a very respectable final season in purple and gold.
Well, that’s not how Skip Bayless sees it. The analyst took to social media shortly after the news broke, claiming LeBron hasn’t made this decision. In his view, the Lakers don’t want the six-time champion on their roster, at least not for any significant money.
Skip Bayless claims Luka Doncic and the Lakers want LeBron gone
To say Bayless isn’t James’ biggest fan would be quite the understatement. The 74-year-old has watched every season of his legendary career, taking every opportunity to shade him along the way.
Whether that be dwelling on the games where he didn’t show up — rare though they may be — or using fellow GOAT contender Michael Jordan to point out his shortcomings, Bayless made much of his career out of criticizing James.
The outspoken sports personality hasn’t changed his tune. He thinks it unfolded rather differently, and that the aim of this statement was to save face.
He took to X, writing: “No, Rich Paul did not “inform the Lakers” that LeBron will play elsewhere next season. They had already made it clear to him he’d have to take very little money to play for the Lakers BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT HIM BACK.
“LUKA DOES NOT WANT HIM BACK. Lakers are now relieved.”
He’s calling out the notorious agent for lying about James’ situation, and while Paul isn’t exactly someone whose every word you hang on, neither is Bayless.
No one can say for sure what went down, at least not until a credible source comes out and says it. It could be that he is right, although, this kind of just sounds like Skip Bayless doing Skip Bayless things.
