LeBron James: Lakers star's injury will cause MAJOR problems for Anthony Davis trade
LEBRON JAMES has missed 15 games through injury for the Los Angeles Lakers and concern should be growing about whether it will affect their hopes of signing another NBA superstar this summer.
LeBron told LA Lakers he would be joining by text says owner
That's according to Stephen A. Smith, who suggests the Lakers could miss out on Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
James is still recovering from a groin injury he suffered against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.
He is yet to participate in any contact in practice so far, with some suggestions that he may be out for a few more games.
The Lakers are 5-10 without the three-time NBA champion and have fallen outside the playoff spots.
But while Smith is confident the Lakers will reach the postseason once James returns, he raises concerns that their top targets for this summer may have second thoughts about joining if the 34-year-old doesn't prove he is back to full health.
"At some point in time, he's going to come back," he said on the Stephen A. Smith Show.
"At some point in time, the Lakers are going to be a better basketball team because he is back.
"They're going to make the playoffs, there's no need to worry about that.
"But here's where things get very, very interesting.
"If you are LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, hasn't the time arrived where you should be worried about what talent you can get to join LeBron James in L.A.?
"LeBron James has faith in Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. LeBron James is aware of what needs to be done.
"The flip side to it is that if you're a marquee free agent, as beautiful as the southern California sunshine is... how attractive are the Los Angeles Lakers to you Anthony Davis, to a Kawhi Leonard, to a Kevin Durant, to a Kyrie Irving etc.
"How attractive are the Los Angeles Lakers if the health of LeBron James suddenly becomes a huge question mark.
"If there's anybody I have faith in to recover its LeBron James.
"What we should marvel at the most is the man's willingness to take care of himself and to always take care of his body.
"But we can't ignore the fact that this is the most significant injury of LeBron James' career.
"I don't believe it's a foregone conclusion that the marquee free agents out there are going to clammer to L.A. if LeBron doesn't show that he's healthy and ready to go."