Barkley: It Wasn't James Who Wanted to Leave, the Lakers No Longer Wanted Him

NBA legend Charles Barkley directly disputed the claim that LeBron James left the Lakers on The Bill Simmons Podcast. His main point was that the Lakers no longer wanted James.

"The Lakers simply don't want him back."

On the show, Bill Simmons said: "I think the Lakers don't want him back. I've been saying this all summer." Barkley immediately agreed and added that he had been arguing with people who held the opposite view. Those people kept saying James left the Lakers, but Barkley believed the reality was the opposite — the Lakers did not want James anymore.

Barkley further explained the Lakers' stance: "We need to turn the page." He specifically mentioned that he liked the statement released by James' team, which said, "I have decided to look forward." However, Barkley emphasized that the decision was actually made by the Lakers, not James. The Lakers' message, according to Barkley, was: "No, you are the one who should leave."

"Don't get it twisted."

Barkley said he was glad Simmons clarified the situation. He said he often tells people: if the Lakers truly wanted James, would James leave there? No. Barkley said media members often claim that James decided to leave the Lakers, but he believes the truth is that the Lakers made the decision for James.