LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Lakers will not visit the president Joe Biden at the White House to celebrate their 2020 NBA Championship when the team travels to Washington, DC to play the Wizards later this month, a source aware of the situation told ESPN.
The calendar issues and protocols for the Covid-19 will prevent the visit between April 27-28, when the Lakers are in the nation’s capital for the Wizards game; however, a future meeting and greeting with the 46th President of the United States is not out of the question, the source added.
No NBA team has commemorated their title with a visit to the White House since LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were honored by the former president. Barack Obama in November 2016, a few days later Donald Trump will win the presidential election to succeed Obama in the Oval Office.
When asked in January if the Lakers planned to resume traditional league visit after the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors abstained from the trip during the Trump administration, James said “it would be great,” but added. admitted “no. I had an idea” whether it was feasible during the pandemic.
Shortly after Biden defeated Trump in the November general election, Warriors player Draymond Green tweeted to James, “You can go to the White House and celebrate the G title!” James replied “We’re back there my G !!! I’ll have a tequila and wine too!”
The Lakers have not been able to enjoy the typical festivities that come with a championship due to the corona virus. The team didn’t have a parade and have yet to unveil the 17th championship flag in franchise history, instead draping it in a black robe on opening night with the message, “Stay tuned, Lakers family.”
The owner of the Lakers, Jeanie Buss, announced that the banner would be unveiled on May 12 for Los Angeles’ final home game of the regular season against the Houston Rockets, when fans are there to enjoy it. The Lakers played their first fan match at Staples Center on Thursday against the Boston Celtics, welcoming a capacity of 1,915 people, about 10% of their 18,997 capacity.