Signing a 33-year-old player to a long-term deal may not be the smartest idea in todayās NBA. Then again, LeBron James wasnāt an average 33-year-old guy, which is why no one bat an eye when the Lakers did it.
Fast-forward to today and itās safe to say that Jamesā tenure in Southern California has been a bit of a roller coaster. Two seasons without even making the playoffs, one season as a play-in team, and an NBA championship in front of no fans.
And, while James shouldnāt be blamed for most of their struggles, itās clear that they need to start planning for the future. Anthony Davis canāt stay healthy and they need another star. Thatās why Jay Williams believes they should go after LaMelo Ball.
NBA Rumors: Jay Williams Says LaMelo Ball Should Be The Lakersā Next Star Target
(Transcript via Fadeaway World)
āWhen I look at LaMelo Ball, year 5, three years of from, right? How old will LeBron James be in three years from now? What? 40-41? I look at that as a serious transition piece. Iām telling when I look at LaMelo Ball, I see nothing but Purple and Gold. Itās written over the way he dresses, the style in which he pulls up to games. It relates to his whole social media image, where heās from and his dad has so much to do with how things are orchestrated even with Lonzo getting there the first time.ā
Melo does, indeed, reek of Showtime. Heās a big-time player whoāll eventually pursue a big-time market. He was born and raised in California and already knows the organization from within from Lonzoās tenure with the Lakers.
Then again, heās still under a rookie contract and the Charlotte Hornets will do whatever it takes to hold on to him for the long run. So as much as weād love to see him in L.A., that doesnāt seem likely right now.
