The Los Angeles Lakers signed quite a few free agents this past offseason, and according to a recent report, they could have signed even more if superstar LeBron James had approved of it.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated‘s Chris Mannix, player agents around the league were upset that they could not sign with the Lakers because James didn’t give his team’s front office the green light.
“James is the NBA’s most powerful player, the face of the league’s marquee franchise in the second year of a four-year, $153 million contract he signed in 2018,” he wrote. “Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has admitted that he consulted James on roster moves this summer; player agents have grumbled that no one could get on the Lakers without James’s approval. James is an attention magnet—the worldwide reaction to James’s response to the kerfuffle between the NBA and China offering a recent example—but when it comes to coaching him, several coaches who have worked with James tell SI, the key is simple: Be as prepared as he is.”
Since James’ playing days with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it has been a well-known fact that James has had an ability to impact the decisions made by his team.
It seems that reputation has followed him to Los Angeles.
When it comes to the signings that the Lakers did make this offseason, two of the most impactful signings included Dwight Howard and Danny Green. Both players have been instrumental in the team’s 17-2 record.
While the players who were unable to get on the Lakers might be upset about James stonewalling them, there’s no doubt that James knows how to help build a winner.
He has appeared in nine NBA Finals series throughout his storied career and has won three of them.
He’s looking to win a fourth by the end of this current campaign.
