Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, denies rumours that the Lakers forward might be dealt before the deadline, despite the player’s enigmatic hourglass post following consecutive 16-point defeats.
Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, has dispelled speculation that the Los Angeles Lakers forward would be leaving before the impending trade deadline.
Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, denies rumours that the Lakers forward might be dealt before the deadline, despite the player’s enigmatic hourglass post following consecutive 16-point defeats.
James mysteriously shared an hourglass emoji on X following the Lakers’ 138-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, sparking wild rumours that he was being traded by the team.
Before making his mysterious message online, LeBron vented his fury about the loss, saying, “We could get our ass kicked by any team in the NBA.” It was LA’s second straight 16-point humiliation.
James did not elaborate on the meaning of the tweet, and he also suffered an ankle injury on Thursday that prevented him from playing in the Lakers’ victory over the Boston Celtics.
But, in an interview with reporters after the Atlanta loss, the 39-year-old great did voice his dissatisfaction.
We could defeat any NBA team on any given night. And then we get our ass kicked by any NBA club on any given night,’ stated James. We are there, that’s where.
“I have nothing to say to my teammates.” Simply go about doing your work.
James’ current contract has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024–25 campaign. He may decide to exercise that option and become a free agency the following season.
In 2022, he inked an agreement that guaranteed he would wear a Lakers uniform at least until the 2024–2025 season.
League sources conjectured that James included that contingency in his deal from the outset, even before the agreement was finalised, in order to have the option of leaving the Lakers and teaming up with his oldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr.
After the college basketball season is over, Bronny, a freshman at USC, will be able to file for the NBA.
James has talked for years about his desire to play in the NBA with his son, and he may decide to fulfil that ambition based on how the Lakers’ current season and the results of next year’s draft turn out.
Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, denies rumours that the Lakers forward might be dealt before the deadline, despite the player’s enigmatic hourglass post following consecutive 16-point defeats.
