The steady decline of the Lakers!
LeBron James has consistently attracted top talent to his teams, but several high-profile superstars have avoided joining him and the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s a look at the prominent NBA stars who have chosen not to team up with LeBron since his arrival in California.
In 2019, Jimmy Butler, a coveted free agent, was speculated to join the Lakers to form a formidable duo with LeBron James after his season with the 76ers. Instead, Butler signed with the Miami Heat and later secured a three-year, $146.4 million extension in 2021. He led the Heat to NBA Final appearances in 2020 and 2023. Butler's calibre would have elevated the young Lakers, featuring talents like Brandon Ingram, but he preferred Miami's hard-working culture over potential drama. His leadership quickly transformed the Heat, leading them to multiple deep playoff runs, which LeBron would have surely valued.
Kawhi Leonard's decision to join the Los Angeles Clippers instead of the Lakers shocked many NBA fans and analysts. After leading the Raptors to an NBA championship in 2019, it was speculated that Leonard would return to California and team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers. However, Leonard chose the Clippers, a team historically overshadowed by the Lakers, showing his desire to compete against LeBron rather than join him. By choosing the Clippers, Leonard aimed to carve his own legacy and lead a less successful franchise. He signed a three-year, $153 million extension in January 2024.
Kevin Durant's decision to join the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 instead of teaming up with LeBron James on the Lakers surprised many. Durant had the potential to form a dominant duo with LeBron but opted for a four-year, $198 million deal with the Nets, joining Kyrie Irving. His comments about the "toxic" environment surrounding LeBron hinted at the pressures of playing alongside a superstar. Despite Durant being available, the Lakers failed to secure a trade with Brooklyn. After joining the Phoenix Suns in 2022, Durant seems settled, but any potential trade involving the 35-year-old is unlikely to involve the Lakers given past failures.
LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut to bring Klay Thompson to the Lakers in the summer of 2024, but the plan fell through. Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, forming a Big Three with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. As a proven three-point shooter, averaging 17.9 points per game, up 38.7% from three last season, Thompson would have been an ideal fit alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. With Thompson's addition, the Mavericks are poised to challenge the Lakers in the 2024-25 season, complicating LeBron’s path to another NBA title amid fierce Western Conference competition.
The Lakers' failure to land Kyrie Irving is well documented. His departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 shocked the NBA community, especially since the team had just reached three consecutive Finals and won a championship in 2016. Speculation swirled around his relationship with LeBron James and his desire to forge his own path. After joining the Boston Celtics, Irving's tenure was a disappointment as he failed to lead the team to the Finals. He then teamed up with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, bypassing the chance to join LeBron in Los Angeles. Even when Irving became available during the 2022-23 season, the Lakers couldn't secure a deal, allowing the Dallas Mavericks to swoop in. Missing out on Kyrie left LeBron without a superstar point guard, despite D’Angelo Russell’s talent.
Other prominent players include future Hall of Famers like Paul George and Chris Paul, who also declined and offered to team up with the mighty LeBron James.
