LeBron James has stepped away from the Los Angeles Lakers amid rumors that he is linked to the Sean Combs case.
According to reports, LeBron, 39, has been “excused” from team activities for “personal reasons,” as confirmed by Lakers coach JJ Redick on Wednesday.
“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Redick told reporters. Redick did not say LeBron’s absence was due to an injury.
LeBron’s absence comes at a time when his media company reportedly lost $30 million. There has been speculation linking the financial losses to his association with Combs.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) December 12, 2024
LeBron was already set to miss a game due to foot soreness, but his current absence has sparked rumors about his future with the team.
The Lakers are currently on a break due to the Emirates NBA Cup tournament, but Lakers players are still practicing together — except for LeBron.
During UFC media day in Tampa, fighter Colby Covington asked LeBron what he meant by “There’s no party like a Diddy party?” He continued, “LeBron, how many Diddy parties have you actually been to? I’m really curious to know. And is that the reason you left social media, because of all the backlash you were getting for going to so many Diddy parties?”
Colby Covington goes on a LeBron James Rant at #UFCTampa Media Day ? pic.twitter.com/SEN2sD1X5U
— Fight Bananas (@FightBananas) December 11, 2024
Covington called LeBron a “pathetic excuse of a human being” and said he should share a jail cell with Combs.
Sean Combs was arrested in Manhattan in September. He is in a federal lockup in Brooklyn awaiting trial on human trafficking charges. LeBron has not been named in any court documents linked to the case.
LeBron’s future with the Lakers is uncertain as the online chatter about his association with Combs and Jay-Z grows louder. Jay-Z was named in a lawsuit on Sunday accusing him of assaulting a 13-year-old girl with Combs in 2000.
LeBron James is stepping away from the Lakers “for personal reasons” pic.twitter.com/pr6z18zFqO
— Carson Krow (@carsonkrow) December 12, 2024
