LA Lakers to start James as point guard

LeBron James is preparing to take on a new role with the Los Angeles Lakers this season as point guard, according to a report Monday by Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes.The 34-year-old James will take over floor general duties from Lonzo Ball, who was traded to New Orleans, and Rajon Rondo, who remains one of three other point guards on the Lakers’ roster along with Quinn Cook and Alex Caruso.While James has started sparingly as a point guard in his career, the job falls within his comfort zone since the 15-time All-Star and four-time NBA MVP has functioned primarily as a point forward for most of his career.James is starting his 17th season in the league and will be surrounded by several new faces looking to contend for a championship thanks to the addition of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and six-time All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.Bleacher Report ventured to guess the new-look Lakers’ starting lineup with James at point guard, Danny Green at shooting guard, Kyle Kuzma at small forward, Davis at power forward and Cousins at center.Last season, James was limited to just 55 games due to a groin injury, but still averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebound and 8.3 assists while shooting 51.0 %. Overall, he has averaged 50.4 % shooting with 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 1,198 games.Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook is warming to the idea of leaving Oklahoma City, and the Miami Heat are high on the All-Star point guard’s list.According to multiple reports, Westbrook signed off on general manager Sam Presti taking trade offers. The decision comes on the heels of the Thunder shipping 2019 MVP finalist Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for five future first-round picks, Danilo Gallinari and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Presti allowed free agents Alec Burks and Mike Muscala the option of backing out of their contracts after that deal and has held a respectful, open dialogue with Westbrook and agent Thad Foucher regarding the 30-year-old’s future with the franchise, ESPN reported.Westbrook has spent his entire 11-year career in Oklahoma City, averaging 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists while winning the NBA’s MVP award in 2017. A whirlwind week that left Presti crestfallen rapidly shifted the franchise’s direction.ESPN reported the Heat and team president Pat Riley moved to the front of the line because Westbrook would approve of a deal to Miami. The Heat used a four-way deal to pull off a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler, but Riley has some bookkeeping wizardry to do if he wants to add Westbrook to the unexpected offseason haul.Draft picks cannot be traded for 30 days after they’ve signed, meaning first-rounder Tyler Herro is not immediately available. However, the expiring contracts of Goran Dragic ($19.2mn) and Meyers Leonard ($113mn) could boost Miami’s standing as a lead suitor. What Riley doesn’t have to offer is attractive draft pick compensation, which could beckon the inclusion of a third team in any deal with the Thunder. The Thunder received three unprotected first-round picks from the Clippers — 2022, 2024 and 2026 — and two future Miami Heat first-round picks that Los Angeles had acquired: a 2021 unprotected selection and a 2023 lottery-protected pick. Westbrook has four years and $170mn left on his contract. The Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and others are also expected to have high interest in acquiring Westbrook, per ESPN.