Paul Pierce believes it’s time for the Lakers to move on. Speaking on KG Certified, the Hall of Famer said he would trade LeBron James if he were running the franchise, arguing that Los Angeles needs to start building for the future rather than chasing short-term hope with a stagnant ceiling.

“If I’m the GM, I’d trade LeBron James,” Pierce said. “We already saw what it looked like last year. We got swept. I’m just trying to develop for the future. They’re gonna get swept this year, this team.”

Pierce went further, naming several Western Conference teams he feels have already surpassed the Lakers in both strength and playoff potential. “Right now, I’ve got Houston beating them, I’ve got OKC better than them. Denver is better than them, and they might not want to see Golden State… I’m telling you, the Lakers gotta trade him [LeBron]. If they add some other little pieces, then they’ve got a shot cuz they get more.”

Something never seen before with LeBron

If such a move were to happen, the idea of trading LeBron James would be unprecedented. He’s a once-in-a-generation talent, a player who has never been traded in over 22 seasons in the NBA. But in today’s league, nothing is truly off the table.

In an era where even superstars like Luka Doncic could be traded against their will, no player is completely untouchable. For James, now 40 years old, this means that even he isn’t entirely immune to market dynamics—though he still maintains more control than most.

Under his current contract, LeBron holds a no-trade clause, meaning the Lakers would need his direct approval to finalize any deal. This gives the four-time MVP full veto power and the ability to block any move he doesn’t support, keeping the balance of control firmly in his hands.

“Way different. I thought he was faster, stronger, better when he got to Miami (Heat). It was crazy because I remember sitting, because I sat out the first game we played him in Miami, I believe, and I was just watching and I was like I couldn’t believe. It looked like he was a faster, stronger player at the time because he got under the Spoelstra umbrella, which is like a Pat Riley, like a no, they don’t mess around in that camp,” Paul Pierce said, via Speaking on the Games With Names.

Although LeBron had already become a star in the NBA, it was upon his arrival in Miami that he won his first two championships. But his impact did not end there: in 294 games, he averaged 26.9 points per game, contributing 7.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists. In addition, many remember that version of James as the most physically dominant, as he seemed unstoppable to opposing defenses.

LeBron James opens up about the speculation behind his move to the Miami Heat

After leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers, much discussion arose about LeBron James’ move to Miami, with critics claiming it was fueled by ego and a thirst for titles. To address this chatter, LeBron broke his silence in an interview for the NBA on YouTube. “You know, everyone, I think they misunderstood us for what we were coming together. They all thought we were coming together in a selfish manner.”

LeBron did not stop there; he detailed his time in Miami, hinting at the reason behind the success with the Heat. “In reality, we all made sacrifices. We didn’t care about individual accolades or individual praise. All we cared about was trying to compete for a championship each and every year and do it in a team fashion.”

Heat president Pat Riley delivers bold take on LeBron’s legacy before his arrival to Miami

LeBron James’ arrival at the Miami Heat marked a turning point for the franchise. At 26, he brought with him six All-Star appearances and two MVP awards. While his first season fell short in stats and titles, he led the team to back-to-back championships, solidifying his legacy in the team. Despite his undeniable impact, in 2019, President Pat Riley stirred controversy by questioning the significance of LeBron’s achievements prior to joining Miami.

“LeBron is a great player, but before he came to us, he was banging his head against the wall like all great players that can’t win. His first year [in Miami] was somewhat convoluted, from the standpoint of chemistry. As much as those guys talked around it, you had three significant players who never really got on the same page. They never let it fester, but they never spoke about it way they should have,” Pat Riley said, as reported by Basketball Network.

“I think it came out towards the end of the season… I think it was pretty funny, like all my boys just joking with me about it, texting me all the time, just talking. And I’ve just, I’ve come to be the guy who just uses everything as fuel… I think that just added more fuel to the fire as a group,” Tyrese Haliburton said, via ESPN.

During the 2024-25 regular NBA season, Tyrese struggled to replicate his previous performances, averaging 18.6 points per game. This dip in production drew considerable criticism toward his $45.5 million by year contract with the Pacers. However, Tyrese turned the narrative around in the postseason, demonstrating his leadership skills and silencing many of his detractors as he led the Pacers.

Tyrese Haliburton earns high praise from Boston Celtics legend after standout playoff run

Tyrese Haliburton displayed remarkable consistency throughout the postseason series, but he truly shone against the New York Knicks. During those games, he emerged as a leading scorer for the team, surpassing 30 points twice and consistently showcasing his exceptional playmaking abilities over six games. Following this standout performance, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce was quick to offer his praise.

“Top 10 easy. He’s easily a top 10 player… People forget this guy brought the Indiana Pacers to the Conference Finals last year and was a three-point shot from Jaylen Brown away from stealing Game 1…This year, I’m really seeing the potential of this team all because of one man, who influences winning more than… not Steph or Edwards, but certainly I would’ve taken him over LeBron and Brunson,” Paul Pierce said, via SPEAK.

Tyrese Haliburton’s unexpected new role with Pacers after season-ending injury

Tyrese Haliburton has already established himself as one of the NBA’s elite players. Unfortunately, his absence in the 2025-26 season will keep him from showcasing his skills both during the regular season and in the postseason. Despite this setback, he remains a vital part of the team. According to general manager Chad Buchanan, Tyrese will take on a new role with the franchise off the court.

“You’ll see him out, we’ll probably lean on him doing some scouting next year for us to have him help with trades. He’s very intelligent when it comes to the NBA and the Draft,” Chad Buchanan said, via Setting The Pace.

“Go ahead and say it man, ‘I ain’t texting this… that I ain’t playing with. I don’t even know if I’m on this team,’,” Gilbert Arenas said on his podcast. Since the Anthony Davis trade, fans have observed a noticeable reduction in LeBron’s involvement in team decisions. This has prompted speculation that a trade request from him might not be entirely off the table.

Speculation has intensified following a report from NBA insider Brian Windhorst, which revealed a surprising development within the Los Angeles Lakers organization. The front office reportedly informed Luka Doncic about the potential sale of the franchise, while LeBron James was kept out of the loop. This move marks a significant shift in the internal power structure, indicating that James’ influence may no longer serve as the cornerstone for the team’s strategic decisions.

Celtics’ legend Paul Pierce downplays LeBron James not welcoming Deandre Ayton

Although Gilbert sees an obvious hierarchical shift, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce downplays the case. “LeBron is probably going to retire after this year, right? His whole career, he’s been doing this, texting. He tired of this,” he said, via SPEAK. Moreover, he also mentioned that we lack any context about the greeting, questioning whether LeBron instructed Luka or if there were other circumstances.

At 40, LeBron James has accomplished nearly everything possible in the NBA, cementing his status as a league legend. His legacy with the Los Angeles Lakers remains untouched and enduring, unaffected by any external narratives.

Recently, a leaked video showed James admitting that his wife, Savannah, wishes for him to retire. For that reason, Paul Pierce cautions against overanalyzing Deandre Ayton’s situation, suggesting it’s not as significant as it might seem.

According to Shams Charania, LeBron James is fully focused on maximizing the impact of every remaining season in his illustrious career. His goal is clear: to maintain his competitiveness and stature as a key player on the roster. In response, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly committed to building a formidable team, one that can consistently vie for the championship year after year.

“Yeah, without a doubt, because you gotta understand—KG missed about 30 games,” Pierce said. “You know we won 61 games? I think we would’ve won 70 games that year if he wouldn’t have got hurt. We knew we couldn’t win it without him. He was the heart and soul of everything that we did.”

Garnett, who helped lead the Celtics to the 2008 NBA title, suffered a right knee injury during the 2008–09 season that ultimately sidelined him for the playoffs. Despite finishing the regular season with a 61–21 record, the Celtics were knocked out in the second round by the Orlando Magic. Orlando then went on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals.

Pierce emphasized just how vital Garnett’s presence was to Boston’s identity, and said the team’s core always knew their title hopes hinged on KG’s availability and leadership on the court. Garnett’s two-way dominance and emotional intensity, Pierce argued, were irreplaceable components of the Celtics’ championship formula.

The former Finals MVP also touched on the role of luck in championship runs, referencing Boston’s 2010 Finals loss to the Lakers in seven games. He pointed out that center Kendrick Perkins missed the decisive Game 7 due to injury, a factor he believes significantly impacted the Celtics’ chances.

“The next year we went back to the Finals, and if [Kendrick] Perkins don’t get hurt… That’s why we say to win it all, it’s hard to win in this league. You gotta be good and lucky,” said Pierce, underscoring how thin the margins can be in title runs.

Pierce then drew a parallel to today’s NBA, specifically the Indiana Pacers’ heartbreaking loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals. Indiana fell in seven games after star guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles just minutes into Game 7, following a dominant start with nine quick points.

“Like Indiana—think about it… The shot bounces up, that’s part of the journey, that’s part of the luck,” Pierce said, alluding to Haliburton’s string of clutch performances that helped fuel the Pacers’ deep playoff run. According to Pierce, championship dreams often hinge on a few key moments—and a little bit of fortune.

“I think this is the year, coming up, to where you’re like, ‘OK, this is a transition year, let’s evaluate everything,’” Pierce predicted for the Celtics in a recent conversation with Paul George on Podcast P. “I still think their window is open. I hope they don’t trade JB. As long as you’ve got Tatum and Brown, you can figure out the other pieces.”

The 2008 Finals MVP elaborated on what the two All-Stars bring to the table. “They are in their prime. So you can say in the next six years, let’s see what’s up with these two… If you can surround that around JB and Tatum, you just got to refigure it out now,” he said.

“You looked at the team, when they won last year, you like, ‘Man, this team could be a dynasty, because they were all relatively young, they didn’t already been through their growing pains,” continued Pierce. “But you start to understand the business of it now, because this is new ownership.”

Pierce says the NBA is about to change forever

Pierce then offered an intriguing take on how the NBA’s future will be shaped by franchise owners making more financially driven decisions. “These owners, they’re fans of the team, but they’re businessmen. They’re like, ‘Yeah, I want to win, but I don’t want to get taxed over taxed,” explained the Boston icon.

“That’s going to change the way they built teams now. I don’t know if you’re going to see any more superteams,” Pierce reflected, making it clear that it will be increasingly difficult to see teams with three or four superstars staying together for multiple years. “It’s going to be the end of dynasties.”

Pierce points to the Thunder and Pacers as examples

To illustrate his point, Paul Pierce used the two teams that reached the NBA Finals last season as examples. “You saw Indiana this year, they got a bunch of guys that were really good, had a lot of gap,” he began, before drawing a contrast with the Thunder.

“In the case of OKC, they’re going to come up on this problem in a couple of years, because you got to pay Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), he’s going to make the super max. Then you are going to figure out what you’re giving Jay (Jalen Williams), he’s probably worth the max 2. What about Chet (Holmgren)? What are you going to do with the rest of these guys?” Pierce asked.

For now, Shai secured a record-breaking contract after helping Oklahoma City win the NBA championship, locking in $285 million over the next four years. If Williams and Holmgren continue to perform at a high level in the near future, they’ll likely expect major deals of their own—and at some point, the financial situation could become unsustainable for the 2025 NBA champions.

“A championship for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not only make him the greatest Thunder, it ensures his statue at the tender age of 26…If you were to leave Oklahoma City after this year, best believe they don’t put a statue of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for giving OKC their first NBA championship in franchise history, which I believe will happen. He’s been unstoppable in these playoffs, he’s had an unbelievable run,” Paul Pierce said, via SpeakOnFS.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has dominated the NBA this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Over 76 games, he has averaged an outstanding 32.7 points per game. Moreover, he adds 5 rebounds and 6.4 assists to his impressive stats. Consequently, his stellar performances earned him the MVP award, underscoring his impact.

Besides, his leadership and skill have propelled the Thunder to their first Finals appearance in 13 years, breaking a prolonged drought for the franchise. If he leads the team to a championship victory, it would mark the Thunder’s first title ever, cementing his legacy in franchise history. As he stands on the brink of making history, fans and analysts alike eagerly watch to see if he can cap this remarkable season with the ultimate prize.

His impressive season might still reach another historic level. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could finish the season with a rare achievement last seen in 2012, when LeBron James led his team to the title while earning the league’s highest individual honors. If the Thunder win the title and Shai adds the Finals MVP to his resume, he would become just the 11th player in NBA history to capture both MVP awards in the same season.

Despite standing on the verge of making both NBA and Thunder history, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander keeps a clear head. He enters the NBA Finals with the same calm confidence that fueled his postseason run. At the press conference, he also made sure to acknowledge the Indiana Pacers.

“I don’t think they’ve changed much. They were a really good team back then. They were on a roll back then… They’re on a roll now… Since January, us and them have the best records in the NBA. They’ve been playing good basketball… They’re gonna be a tough opponent regardless,” he said.

“Y’all, New York is up, all that. Pacers gonna pop y’all though. Y’all know that, right? Yeah, I know that...so I don’t even want to hear all that. Y’all feeling good. Y’all beat us,” stated Paul Pierce, throwing shade at the Knicks while backing Indiana. The Pacers dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers and closed the series in just five games. Because of that performance, many now view Indiana as a real threat to win the 2025 NBA Championship.

In addition, Paul Pierce talked about the Indiana Pacers and the conditions under which they managed to eliminate the Boston Celtics. “Y’all beat an injured Celtics team. Y’all beat an injured Celtics team, bro. We didn’t have our All-NBA player, first team, MVP candidate who led us in all these categories.“ With this, Pierce makes it clear that it was the decline of Jayson Tatum that truly gave the Pacers advantages, not his talent.

Many fans believe the Celtics rely too much on Jayson Tatum. That, to them, is why the team lacks a winning draft. As a comparison, they often highlight the Oklahoma City Thunder’s athletic project. Despite having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mark Daigneault built a roster that does not revolve only around his star. Instead, the Thunder spread responsibilities. Even Jalen Williams stepped up in crucial stretches of the postseason.

This one-player dependency has drawn a lot of criticism towards Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla. He manages a roster full of talent, yet struggles to maximize it. The reason, many argue, is his constant focus on Tatum. It does not fall on Jayson, who makes an impact in every game. However, when a team leans on one player too much, it becomes more vulnerable. Other teams, with balanced systems, handle adversity better.

Boston Celtics face potential roster shake-up in the 2025 NBA offseason

The Boston Celtics have entered a new chapter under owner Bill Chisholm, and as expected, major changes could follow. In fact, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the team payroll has reached $460 million. Moreover, he had already warned that an early elimination could force the Celtics to reshape the roster. Now, with financial pressure mounting, the front office may need to act quickly to avoid long-term damage.

Boston will begin the preseason with $231 million in salaries and another $263 million in tax penalties, as per ESPN. Furthermore, they also noted that every $3 million spent on a player could cost the team an extra $25 million.

Clearly, these numbers are alarming. Since NBA franchises operate like businesses, no team wants to bleed money. As a result, the Celtics could be forced to make difficult decisions to stay competitive and financially stable.

The front office, however, wants to keep its core (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White) intact. Still, others may have to go. Therefore, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Sam Hauser are among the players with uncertain futures. To regain financial balance and avoid further penalties, Boston might have no choice but to move them.

Tatum has been nothing short of spectacular this postseason. Despite missing Game 2 of the opening series against Orlando, he responded with three consecutive performances of 35-plus points—marking a first in his career.

In addition, Tatum ranks among the top four in playoff points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks over the last five years, according to the X (formerly Twitter) account “CelticsUnite“. Pierce sees these achievements as a sign that Tatum may one day overshadow Durant, even if the recognition he deserves hasn’t fully arrived.

“Is he better than KD one day?” Pierce pondered during an episode of KG Certified with Kevin Garnett. “If he gets a couple more [championships], think about it. Right now, his statistics are heading in KD’s direction. He can do everything KD can do. They’re similar in a lot of ways. He might even have more handle. His bag is just as good. He can shoot, score—he’s got the three, the midrange, to the rack”.

Pierce draws comparisons between Tatum and Durant’s scoring

Although their playing styles differ, Tatum and Durant share the distinction of being elite scorers. Durant’s career scoring average stands at 27.2 points per game, compared to Tatum’s 23.6. However, Pierce argues that their scoring prowess is comparable.

“I’m trying to see what KD does that Tatum hasn’t done, offensively,” Pierce explained. “They’re on the same level. Right now, you could put this version of Tatum in the conversation. He’s starting to show that extra ‘umph.’ I’m seeing it”.

Durant once praised Tatum’s elite status

Even Durant himself has acknowledged Tatum’s trajectory toward all-time greatness. During a 2021 appearance on The ETCs with Kevin Durant, the Suns star spoke highly of Tatum’s abilities.

“I’ve been in the league 13, 14 years, and I started tallying the matchups, the series, and the players I played against,” Durant recalled. “When I had conversations with my friends, I’m like, y’all have series against Kobe, LeBron, Tim Duncan, the Memphis Grizzlies… Jayson Tatum is in that conversation now because he’s an elite-level player already at 23″.

As Tatum continues to lead the Celtics this postseason, comparisons to Durant’s legacy will inevitably grow. With his unique blend of skills and leadership, Tatum has the opportunity to leave a mark that rivals or even surpasses that of the Suns’ superstar.

Speaking on KG Certified’s Ticket & The Truth, Pierce said the Heat must reestablish their identity if they hope to return to title contention after reaching the NBA Finals twice in five seasons (2020, 2023).

“If you want people to come to Miami, if you want to turn it back around, you’ve got to update the culture—because that culture right now is running people away,” Pierce said. “I saw Bam [Adebayo] say there are going to be changes coming from ‘the guy with the white hair.’ It even looks like Heat Culture is dead. You’ve got to reset that. Change the rules, rewrite the bylaws, update everything.”

Kevin Garnett adds perspective on Butler departure

The state of the Heat has been a major talking point all season, especially after the controversial departure of Jimmy Butler—who had led Miami to deep playoff runs and carried them to the NBA Finals.

Kevin Garnett chimed in, suggesting that the team’s reputation might now impact its ability to attract top-tier talent. Pierce agreed, pointing to the Butler situation as a cautionary tale.

“Yeah, but what star is going to want to come there after what happened to Jimmy Butler?” Pierce replied. “Now he’s thriving in Golden State. He could’ve been down there pushing them past Cleveland. That’s the kind of player you don’t just let walk.”

Spoelstra focuses on positives despite early exit

Despite an underwhelming regular season and early playoff exit, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized the team’s resilience and late-season improvement.

“A lot of lows—probably more lows,” Spoelstra admitted after the Game 4 loss. “But the thing I’ll always remember about this group is that with all the adversity we fought through, we ended up playing our best basketball. We were a few plays away from winning eight straight, maybe even 10. That close. It could’ve been a great story.”

“If the Lakers want to get back to being a championship contender moving forward, you have to get out of the constraints of the LeBron era,” Paul Pierce said on Speak. “He’s had a grasp of the whole organization, bear hugging them for so long now… They have to say ‘fine, we appreciate your services, I think we should move on’, tough conversation:”

Still, the Boston Celtics legend made sure to acknowledge James’ accomplishments with the franchise. “Done some wonderful things for the Lakers organization, 100%. They’re probably going to build a statue of him outside Crypto,” he said, but insisted the franchise must think ahead with a new plan.

Pierce immediately pointed out that the Lakers’ top priority should now be building around Doncic. “It’s time for the Luka era now because I don’t know if you can play them together moving forward,” said the 2008 NBA champion. “You have to have a certain type of team around Luka to win. And him with LeBron, you won’t be able to create that.”

What’s next for LeBron James?

Following Game 5 against the Timberwolves, the main question surrounding James was whether he would make a decision about his future—especially with retirement looming considering his age. “I don’t know the answer to that right now, to be honest. We’ll see,” he admitted during the postgame press conference.

Asked about the factors that will influence his choice, the four-time NBA champion explained: “I’ll sit down with my wife, family and support group… have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play.”

In the days since, another scenario has gained traction regarding LeBron and his future with the Lakers. “So, might James think about finishing his career elsewhere in pursuit of a fifth ring? When posed that question, both league sources close to James and team sources would not rule that possibility out… And that was before the revealing elimination game,” reported Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic.