'Whenever James does retire, those chess moves will be as much a part of his legacy as his rings and records.'
. Cleveland sent him to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and a coveted draft pick from Brooklyn. And when those pieces didn’t fit, they shipped Crowder and Thomas away to acquire role players like Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood. They did not, however, trade the draft pick. They wanted a lifeline to the future in case James, who had a player option the following offseason, changed teams during the summer. James wanted to swap that for more playoff firepower.
James could’ve used it during the 4-0 loss Cleveland suffered during the 2018 NBA Finals. But the Cavs needed their lifeline more. James left for the Lakers that offseason. The Brooklyn pick became Collin Sexton, who eventually helpedThey’d have preferred to keep James, but they couldn’t sacrifice a future he wouldn’t commit to.
Now the Lakers are stuck in Cleveland’s boat, which does not come with a life raft. James probably won’t retire, but can they afford to ignore his warning? They have no backup plan, and even if they did, few replacements can replicate James’ production, even as he inches toward 40. James has wielded such power for years as the pioneer of player agency. But he’s also strained front offices and stung his fans. And while his spin move, jump shot and statue pose remain indelible, so too does his quest for control -- and the constraints it put on Cleveland.
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