LeBron James' role in the Anthony Davis trade talks had a brutal impact on his Lakers teammates
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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP LeBron James' involvement in the Anthony Davis trade rumors hurt the Lakers young players.
The Los Angeles Lakers season went off the rails when LeBron James went down with a groin injury on Christmas and when Anthony Davis requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.
With the team spiraling with its best player sidelined, the trade rumors involving nearly everyone on the roster only added drama.Tyler Kaufman/AP
There was a perception that LeBron James was trying to orchestrate a trade for Anthony Davis.
Speaking to Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher, Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo admitted that James' supposed involvement hurt the team.
"Every guy on our team, LeBron was their favorite player growing up," Rondo told Bucher. "Everyone had the shoes, his jersey. You're the biggest fan in the world. It's like you're playing with MJ, and then you get there, and it's like your mom and dad, or the person that you looked up to and idolized, doesn't want you."Rondo said the trade buzz was even affecting older, veteran players on the roster, not just the Lakers' young players."Even some of the old guys were affected," Rondo said. "I can't say a name, but I remember me and the guy were on the bench for the Atlanta game right before the [All-Star] break. The guy was cussing and talking bad about the situation during the game. I was like: 'Snap out of it. That s--- is over with. We'll get through it. As vets, we have to move forward and not focus on what the young guys are focusing on. Set an example.' It was a little crazy to see a vet distraught over that."
Rondo said the constant injuries to key players hurt chemistry, and that few players were willing to have a face-to-face conversation about the issues.
ESPN's Baxter Holmes wrote in May that some within the Lakers saw Paul as a disruptive presence on the Lakers, getting more access to Lakers facilities than most agents.Holmes also reported that Paul told NBA commissioner Adam Silver that he didn't think Luke Walton was the right coach for James and the Lakers. Silver later confirmed the conversation.
Rondo, however, disagreed that Paul was intrusive.The Lakers reportedly remain involved in the pursuit of Davis. They face a big summer in which they'll try to add a star free agent or two around James.
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