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It certainly seems like LeBron James wields a massive influence over the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision making.
In just the last couple of weeks alone, the Lakers have hired James’ friend and podcast partner as head coach and picked his son in the NBA Draft.
On the latest episode of his podcast, Bill Simmons proposed the idea that it’s time to stop denying that James “runs” the franchise he plays for.
“So LeBron’s going to take less money — this came out today— he’s going to take less money if they get a free agent that he wants. But he’s not running the Lakers,” Simmons said. “The Lakers are running themselves. They hired the coach themselves, they’re doing all the draft picks themselves.
“My point is, why do we have to pretend he’s not running the Lakers? Like how long do we have to do this? How long? Give us a date. By the way, he should run the Lakers. I thought they should have hired Maverick Carter as the coach and then LeBron could have just told him what to do.”
LeBron recently opted out of the final year of his contract with the Lakers and is reportedly willing to take a pay cut if it means the team can add more talent around him.
In and of itself, this move doesn’t indicate James is in charge in Los Angeles, but it’s tough to ignore all the pull he seems to have.
On the flipside, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst contended this week that LeBron and the Lakers’ front office have diverging interests and “don’t share the same priorities right now.”
Who is right? You be the judge.
Related: LeBron James Willing To Take Pay Cut If Lakers Land Right Player