LeBron James hints at pulling out of the Olympics, which is good news for Lakers

LeBron James would rather play for the Tune Squad than Team USA this summer.

After seeing his Los Angeles Lakers be eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in Game 6, LeBron James thinks the next team he will play for is the Tune Squad, and not Team USA over in Tokyo.

At 36-years-old, this would have been James’ last shot at playing for his country in the Summer Olympic Games. While he has already won gold for Team USA, James getting rest ahead of the Monstars is exactly what he and the Lakers will need heading into next season. With the Tokyo Games only a few weeks away, it makes all the sense in the world for James to sit this one out.

With a re-energized James, maybe the Lakers can contend for an NBA Finals next summer?

LeBron James skipping out on the Olympics is great news for the Lakers

At this point of his career, James does not have enough time to realistically catch and surpass Michael Jordan’s six NBA championships. Yes, he can still get one more, and maybe two if everything breaks in his team’s direction in the next few years. However, James is not three-peating to get to seven after the end of his age-40 season out of Akron. It is not happening.

What is important is for James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers roster to get healthy and recuperate for the 2021-22 NBA season ahead. A shortened offseason was a season-long issue for this title-contending team. If the Lakers want any hope of winning the NBA Finals next year, they need a fully healthy Davis and James, and probably a third star to rise to the occasion, too.

Lakers fans should feel better about next year with James not planning on going to Tokyo in July.