The series of NBA champions who missed a visit to the White House will continue – at least for now.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will not see President Biden when the team travels to Washington, DC, later this month for a game against the Wizards, according to several reports, which say the team has not ruled out a future visit.
League COVID-19 protocols and a scheduling issue will prevent the team from visiting, ESPN and USA Today reported as the Lakers play in Orlando on April 26 before the DC game on April 28, followed by a long flight back home for a match against Sacramento on April 30.
Major league champions usually try to visit the White House out of season or during a trip to Washington next season.
James’ Knights were the last NBA championship team to visit the White House, attending a ceremony with Barack Obama after winning in 2016. The Golden State Warriors, after winning in both 2017 and ’18, and the 2019 Toronto Raptors did not want to visit President Trump at the White House. Steph Curry said in September 2017 “that we do not essentially support what our president has – the things he said and the things he did not say at the right time – that we will not support this.”
Trump then canceled an offer to visit the Warriors.
After Biden was elected in November, Warriors star Draymond Green wrote on Twitter: “Yoooo @ KingJames, you can go to the White House and celebrate the G title!”
James replied, “YES, we are going back there, my G !!! I also get tequila and wine! ”
The Lakers, who won the 2020 title in October in the NBA’s Orlando Balloon, have yet to host a championship parade due to COVID-19 concerns.