Skip Bayless doesn’t buy LeBron James’ reason for Lakers exit
· Yahoo Sports
Skip Bayless is not buying the notion that LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers this summer in pursuit of his own happiness, as claimed by James’ agent, Rich Paul.
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Never one to avoid a hot topic, Bayless went off when the news broke that James had left Los Angeles, saying the Lakers had essentially made it clear they don’t want to prolong their partnership with the aging four-time NBA champion.
“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,” Bayless posted on X.
“Rich Paul says LeBron ‘left the Lakers’ because he’s seeking ‘complete happiness.’ WRONG. Complete happiness was playing with his son in Hollywood in 365-day golf weather. The Lakers sent a painfully clear low-ball message they did not want him back,” he added.
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May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) speaks with official Tony Brothers during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesSkip Bayless grades LeBron James’ eight-year tenure with the Lakers
While tributes have poured in for LeBron James after his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Skip Bayless, a staunch critic of the four-time league MVP, didn’t hold back upon evaluating the King’s eight-year tenure.
“I’m not hating, I’m truth-telling… I give LeBron a C for his 8 years as a Laker. And I’m being nice,” Bayless explained.
“In LeBron’s eight years, he has missed the playoffs twice as a Laker. He has been swept twice as a Laker, and he has been gentleman’s sweep twice as a Laker,” he added.
James arrived in Los Angeles in 2018 and led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship in 2020 at the Disney Bubble. Since then, the Purple and Gold have reached the Western Conference Finals once in 2023.
With James moving on, the Lakers have retooled their roster around Luka Doncic by handing Austin Reaves a lucrative extension while adding Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Quentin Grimes.