The Los Angeles Lakers are in an interesting position as they sit nearly 10 games over .500. However, they are currently going through a difficult stretch where it seems like little is going their way. During the offseason, LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul made comments about his client wanting to play for a contender.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Those comments sparked trade rumors, and even ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, who has followed James his entire career, didn’t rule out the possibility of a deal.
“My conversations over the last 3 days have crystallized that the Lakers are essentially viewing LeBron as an expiring contract... I'm just unlocking the door because I am not as convinced as before if it's impossibility,” Windhorst said.
Months later, nothing has happened, but the trade deadline is quickly approaching. After the Lakers’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, James was asked about his future in Los Angeles with the deadline looming.
“I’m good. I’m good,” LeBron James says when I ask him if this is where James wants to be and finish the season. James has a no-trade clause and is in the final year of his contract,” Lakers reporter Dan Woike posted.
James isn’t falling for the media attention surrounding what his next move might be over the next two weeks. The veteran understands the Lakers will do what is best for the team, and his focus remains on helping them succeed.
At this stage of his career, James is too experienced to get drawn into storyline-driven questions. He knows the organization will make the decisions it believes are best, and he understands that reality.