While LeBron James is never out of the spotlight the LA Lakers star has found himself all over the headlines in the last week.
His Lakers side are struggling at the start of this season and have won just once in their last five games.
Their latest defeat came in a 97-87 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves which continued to pile pressure on coach JJ Redick.
Both LeBron and Anthony Davis have been questioned for their poor performances in recent weeks.
LeBron has been rumoured with a trade away from the Lakers and his absence in the side’s last two games has certainly caught people’s attention.
Journalist Stephen A. Smith has questioned LeBron’s absence and explained how one detail has got his ‘antennas up’.
While it isn’t unheard of for LeBron to miss a game or two the timing of his latest departure seems all the more important.
The Lakers are struggling this year and they could do with the superstar on the court.
LeBron is now 39 and isn’t the spring chicken he once was, but he still possesses some of the best basketball ability and IQ in the league.
He has missed games previously and the Lakers have labelled him out either through injury or rest. However, their ‘personal issues’ stance has surprised Stephen A. Smith.
Asked on ESPN whether LeBron was taking a break from playing or moving on from the organisation, Smith said: “Well we don’t know that because that’s his call. They’re talking about how it’s ‘personal days’ and that’s where it rubbed me, I don’t want to say the wrong way but it got my antennas up.
“In the past when he needed rest you could take a couple of games off and then you come back that’s what you say. This time they said personal and so I’m thinking about all of the things that have happened.
“There were rumours about the Warriors and how he didn’t want to do that before but how he might want to do that now. Talking about Bronny James and saying he was lamenting some of the criticism. You’re kind of wondering if he is dealing with different things now that his son is on the team compared to what he had to deal with before and he just needed a break from it all.”
While it remains unclear exactly what ‘personal issues’ LeBron is dealing with the tag is certainly creating some talking points, especially with trade rumours still circulating.
Lakers fans will be hoping to keep hold of LeBron, especially if it means Bronny can stay and develop with the side. Bronny has been discussed as part of a trade package with his dad.
Bronny recently earned the praise of Lakers fans following his impressive G-League display.
LeBron has been heavily linked with a move to the Golden State Warriors and former NBA star Matt Barnes likes the potential move.
James is one of more than 80 players who will become eligible for trade after December 15, per conditions of the new contracts they signed in the summer.
The Warriors are reportedly eager to bring LeBron in to help current stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green win a fifth championship while they are still in a potential window for success.
It is unclear where LeBron’s future lies but a return to the court would be a good thing for NBA fans around the world.
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