Despite widespread rumors and speculation to the contrary, LeBron James is not going anywhere.
The superstar’s agent, Rich Paul, made it clear in an interview with ESPN Friday that James is staying with the Los Angeles Lakers past the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.
“LeBron won’t be traded, and we aren’t asking to be,” Paul said (via ESPN).
The NBA world has certainly felt differently about that the past couple of days, especially after James himself posted an hourglass emoji on his X/Twitter account Wednesday.
⌛️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 31, 2024
James hasn’t elaborated on that cryptic message. With the Lakers 25-25 and treading water this season, that message prompted talk LeBron wants to join a team with a chance to win the championship this season.
Pundits and fans constructed various deals that would have sent the legend to a number of different contending teams.
“If LeBron James wants to put himself in position to win a championship, get traded to the New York Knicks,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Friday.
Stephen A. Smith is all-in on recruiting LeBron James to the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/omO2hfyZgk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2024
Smith wasn’t the only one proposing deals for James.
He doesn’t think it’ll happen, but @alanhahn says the most logical move is for the Lakers to trade LeBron James at the deadline 😧 pic.twitter.com/StUV9DFxc9
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 2, 2024
While Paul’s statement put those rumors to rest, it raised questions about what’s really going on behind the scenes with James and the Lakers. James does not have a no-trade clause in his Lakers contract, but for a star of his magnitude, things are more complicated.
Plus, no other team may be willing to offer the package the Lakers would want, for a 39-year-old player. James has a $51.4 million player option in his contract for next season.
The NBA world quickly reacted to the ESPN report.
Good for rich for setting it straight https://t.co/GEAVNkyw6N
— year 21 (@johnrivers131) February 2, 2024
Here’s what I think is going on
Pelinka wants a trade
LeBron and Jeanie don’t https://t.co/MLXFj4NtFY
— ariel (@Flllashhh) February 2, 2024
Can’t believe this even needed to be said https://t.co/xOwRnZv3FH
— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) February 2, 2024
Agent doesn’t make that decision, though.
Yes, Rich Paul’s powerful, but he ain’t making the call whether his client gets traded or not.
If LeBron don’t have an explicit no trade clause, he’s open for business.
It’s just…nobody has the deal that makes sense. https://t.co/6VN0nWqxWE— Kevin D. Grüssing (Pronounced Grew-sing) (@KevDGrussing) February 2, 2024
that is exactly what a guy who is going to get his client traded would say https://t.co/xtKBHSgj8f
— 𝒥ℴ𝓃𝒶𝒽 (@Huncho_Jman) February 2, 2024
Let’s just be honest and admit the whole conversation was really silly https://t.co/8AkBcnwGP9
— Tyriq D. Butler (@TyDButler) February 2, 2024
[ESPN]
