It seems LeBron James isn’t going anywhere anytime soon in Los Angeles.
Rumors started swirling on Thursday that the Lakers might consider trading the NBA’s top scorer before the upcoming deadline on Feb. 8.
The speculation kicked off when James posted an hourglass emoji on X (formerly Twitter), sending fans and analysts into a frenzy.
However, LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, quickly dismissed the rumors, stating firmly that LeBron is staying put.
“LeBron won’t be traded, and we’re not looking for a trade,” Paul assured ESPN.
Currently, the Lakers are at a so-so record of 25-25, holding the ninth spot in the tough Western Conference. Despite their current position, Lakers management has a history of making big moves to improve the team, like last year’s deadline deals that propelled them to the Western Conference Finals.
At 39 years old, LeBron is still performing at a top level, averaging nearly 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game this season. He recently earned his 20th All-Star Game selection, extending his own record.
LeBron has a player option worth a whopping $51.4 million for next season, and he has until June 29 to decide whether to take it. Many speculate he’ll keep playing until his son, Bronny, joins the NBA. Bronny, currently a freshman at USC, is eligible for this year’s NBA Draft.
In an interesting twist, LeBron will face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, sparking speculation about potential trade talks involving the Knicks, who’ve been doing well lately.
With their current standing, the Lakers are in contention for the play-in tournament, a scenario they’ve dealt with successfully in the past.
