Dec 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound in front of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) in the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Only 31 players in NBA history have taken the floor at age 40.
Lakers star LeBron James is about to make that 32, though, as the 20-time All-Star will celebrate his 40th birthday on Monday. Los Angeles is set to face James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the following night.
Christmas has come and gone, but now a second round of gifts is coming James’ way. Here are three that he is probably hoping for:
A clean bill of health for Anthony Davis
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles against Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Although Davis has appeared in 30 of the Lakers’ 31 games this season, he has been a frequent guest on the injury report. It seems like Los Angeles has him on there as more of a precaution, though, as the 31-year-old has been incredible to start the campaign (26.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.0 blocks per game).
Still, it feels like Davis is just bound to miss some time sooner rather than later, and this was especially the case on Wednesday when he exited a meeting with the Golden State Warriors due to a sprained left ankle.
Thankfully for the Lakers, Davis ended up being fine. He was back for a 132-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night and went off for 36 points, 15 boards and eight assists.
Davis might not be too banged up after all, but if he can get his reoccurring injury designation dropped, surely James will have some more peace of mind.
His son to be better at basketball
Nov 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) looks for a pass as Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) defends during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Imagine if Bronny James could actually hold his own at the NBA level.
Instead, any time Bronny James checks into a game, it feels like you’ve suddenly been transported back to high school, where you once watched the manager of the varsity basketball team—who got kicked to the curb on the first day of tryouts—get some minutes in garbage time because it was the final game of senior year.
Should there ever come a day where the elder James gets to share the court with his kid, and his kid actually deserves to be there, that would be special.
He can hope and wish all he wants, but LeBron James probably won’t be getting this gift for another two or three years. And that might even be a generous estimate.
Dorian Finney-Smith to fit right in
Los Angeles made some noise in the trade market on Sunday, acquiring Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round draft picks.
The centerpiece of the deal was Finney-Smith, who brings defensive intensity and a stellar 3-point percentage (43.5) out to the West Coast. Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 20 games (all starts) with Brooklyn this season.
Finney-Smith isn’t going to turn the Lakers’ defense into a brick wall as soon as he gets off the plane. However, he’s an improvement on that side of the floor, and by going out and getting Finney-Smith, Los Angeles is showing that it’s committed to building a better team for LeBron James to chase another ring with.
