Los Angeles Lakers could not get past the first round of the NBA playoffs this season after their 2020 championship run in Orlando last year.
After the defeat, LeBron’s former teammate Channing Frye claims the Lakers need to trade for a third star this offseason to make it worth LeBron James’ time to continue his career.
(via NBC Sports Northwest):
“This is the summer of Rob Pelinka,” said Frye on the latest Talkin’ Blazers podcast. “Bron needs to say ‘Of everything I’ve done in my career, you obviously see I can’t, in today’s age, take a team and win you 50 games myself. I can’t do it. What I can do is provide leadership and culture and I need to take two steps back.’
Frye thinks LeBron James cannot be the first option in a championship squad despite this season being among the players that considered MVP candidates before his high ankle sprain injury.
At the same time, he came off an excellent season, where he earned his fourth MVP Finals award and led the Lakers to the NBA title alongside a healthy Anthony Davis.
“He can be your facilitator, your guy. You cannot rely on him to give you fifty. You cannot rely on him to give you these crazy triple-doubles. He’s just had too many miles, the tread is almost off the tire.
“So if Rob cannot bring him a championship team, Bron, in my opinion, should say ‘Thank you. I had a great career, 18, 19 years in the league… I’m going to retire on top,” Frye continued.
