Inside The Heat

Heat Legend Dashes Hopes Of Lakers Fans With Latest LeBron James Take

Shandel Richardson|
Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a replay that confirms he fouled Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a replay that confirms he fouled Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images | Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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Miami Heat

LeBron James has made it clear he wants to remain in competition for an NBA title as his career winds down. Unlike Michael Jordan, James wants his final years in the winning circle instead of just trying to make the playoffs. ESPN analyst Udonis Haslem feels he has the solution for James.

Speaking on NBA Today, Haslem said James has to leave the Los Angeles Lakers in order to get another ring.

"You should want to put yourself in a position where you can win a championship and land the plane. That is not in LA. I don't give a damn who they bring to LA. That is not a championship roster right now with the LA Lakers. If LeBron James wants to put himself in a championship situation, then there has to be another opportunity that he needs to look for."

The Lakers appeared on the way to competing for a title when they traded for Luka Doncic at the deadline. Things started well but the season ended with a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Haslem believes the Lakers are unable to put a team around James in time but he did hint of another option.

Haslem and James were teammates from 2010-14 with the Miami Heat, winning two championships.

"I do know a place where he is welcome and he will always be welcome," Haslem said. "Just to put it out there."

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here