The streak of NBA champions skipping a White House visit will continue — for now, at least.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers won’t see President Biden when the team travels to Washington, DC, later this month for a game against the Wizards, according to multiple reports, which state the team hasn’t ruled out a future visit.
The league’s COVID-19 protocols and a scheduling crunch will prevent the team from visiting, ESPN and USA Today reported, as the Lakers play in Orlando on April 26 before their game in DC on April 28, followed by a long flight back home for a game against Sacramento on April 30.
Champions from the major sports leagues typically try to visit the White House during the offseason or during a road trip through Washington during the ensuing season.
James’ Cavaliers were the last NBA championship team to visit the White House, participating in 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 of 2017 “that we don’t stand for basically what our president has — the things that he’s said and the things that he hasn’t said at the right times — that we won’t stand for it.”
Trump then rescinded an offer for the Warriors to visit.
Anthony Davis (l.) and LeBron James (r.) poses with their Lakers championship rings on Dec. 22, 2021. NBAE via Getty ImagesAfter Biden was elected in November, Warriors star Draymond Green wrote on Twitter, “Yoooo @KingJames y’all can go to the White House and celebrate y’all title G!”
James responded: “YO we back up in there my G!!! I’m taking my tequila and vino too!”
The Lakers, who won the 2020 title in October in the NBA’s Orlando bubble, have yet to hold a championship parade because of COVID-19 concerns.
