LeBron James is “poking the bear.”
So says longtime LeBron-watcher Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
James was shown on social media at the Cleveland Cavaliers practice facility, and Windhorst says the NBA’s all-time leading scorer knows exactly what he’s doing.
He recently opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers, but doesn’t mind keeping the rumor mill going about potentially changing addresses.
“LeBron absolutely knows that he will cause a wave with these social media things,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland. “On one hand, he is just coming home for the holiday, he is just doing something that he has done numerous times in the past. On the other hand, he is absolutely poking the bear and being passive aggressive. And by the way, the Lakers are being passive-aggressive back at LeBron. They did not announce his option pick-up. So they’re both acting in the same way. Now, how is this going to get resolved? And my answer to you in full honesty is I don’t know.”
James opted into his player option to get his money, but theoretically could still ask to be traded.
“If he truly, badly didn’t want to be a Laker, he doesn’t pick up that option,” Windhorst said.
The Lakers added center Deandre Ayton to a group that includes James and Luka Doncic in an attempt to challenge the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the other Western Conference powers.
Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, issued a statement indicating that James’ main priority was competing for his fifth NBA title, even though LeBron himself recently questioned the idea of ring culture.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future,” James’s longtime agent said. “….We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
Former NBA player Brian Scalabrine addressed the issue Wednesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“Well, a lot of [teams] don’t have cap space, either,” he said of James potentially switching teams. “[If I’m LeBron] I’m going to opt into $53 million because I want my money, and then if I want to be traded, I’ll just ask. Yeah, there’s no way he’s letting the Lakers off.”
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoriaand check out his Website atZAGSBLOG.com.
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