LeBron James’ ex-teammate has stated that the GOAT dialog would have been wrapped up if the LA Lakers had not made an enormous commerce.
The 40-year-old is at present on 4 NBA championships and is 2 behind Michael Jordan.
The 2 are sometimes pitted towards one another within the GOAT dialog, with many giving His Airness the sting due to the six championships he gained with the Chicago Bulls.
Though media narratives have put the 2 towards one another, Jordan has prior to now proven he has respect for LeBron James and his sport, this was additionally not too long ago confirmed in one of many items written by Elliot Barnes.
Nonetheless, the 21-time All-Star’s former teammate has now come out and stated the controversy could be over if the LA Lakers had not made an enormous commerce.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a part of the LA Lakers crew that gained the championship in 2020.
James was the Finals MVP that 12 months and performed nice alongside KCP.
The next season, the Lakers didn’t get previous the primary spherical and this led to the entrance workplace deciding to interrupt the crew off and ship Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma to the Washington Wizards in trade for Russell Westbrook.
Talking on what might have occurred if the commerce didn’t occur, Caldwell-Pope stated: “That crew, we had a variety of moments the place the whole lot simply clicked for us.
“Off the courtroom, on the courtroom, inviting to one another’s homes, we had been simply hanging out with one another.
“These had been my brothers, I spent extra time with my crew than my household… I believe if we stored that crew collectively, we’d’ve run off two extra.
“There could be no extra GOAT discuss, that may’ve put [LeBron] at six.”
With the likes of KCP, Alex Caruso and Dwight Howard, the Lakers had a well-balanced roster with brilliance on each ends of the ground.
Nonetheless, they determined to present that up after a foul postseason run and introduced Westbrook to LA by buying and selling two key items.
With Westbrook on the crew, the Lakers had a disastrous 2021-22 season and didn’t make the playoffs, whereas Caldwell-Pope made his approach to the Denver Nuggets after a 12 months with the Washington Wizards and gained a championship in 2023.
Rob Pelinka revealed the crew had been making an attempt their greatest to get LeBron James one other ring earlier than he calls time on his profession.
The transfer for Doncic was a step in the proper route, however there may be nonetheless work to be carried out if James is so as to add one other championship to his title.
Pelinka revealed plans of including a middle within the offseason and whereas that might assist James massively, the Lakers nonetheless want one other dependable shooter to make them a championship contender.
A variety of rumors have indicated Austin Reaves may very well be on his means out, however that isn’t one thing the Lakers would contemplate with out having an enormous title concerned.
James remains to be enjoying on a excessive stage and is predicted to be again for the following season.
The standing round his contract remains to be unknown, however Shams Charania has revealed the Lakers participant is prone to choose in.
James might assist his facet save over $100 million if he indicators a veteran minimal, however it seems to be like James is unlikely to take that possibility.
Whereas that may make issues troublesome for the entrance workplace, the Lakers are nonetheless are an enormous market crew and can appeal to some huge stars particularly with James and Doncic on the roster.
