NEW YORK — In his first media availability with reporters since cryptically posting an hourglass emoji on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the Lakers’ 138-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Lakers star LeBron James declined to clarify the meaning behind the most.
“No,” James responded when asked about the post.
After significant speculation on social media following a report that the Lakers were looking to trade James ahead of Thursday’s deadline, his agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that James “won’t be traded, and we aren’t asking to be.”
James has a $51.4 million player option with the Lakers for the 2024-25 season. When asked if he’s thought about his player-option decision, James responded “no”.
James’ comments came ahead of the Lakers’ Saturday evening matchup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
James was listed as questionable because of left ankle peroneal tendinopathy after he and Anthony Davis (bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and left hip spasm) missed Thursday’s upset win over the league-leading Boston Celtics.
“Physically? I mean, I’ve been better,” James said. “But I’ve been a lot worse. But hoping to be able to go out and contribute [Saturday], help our team win the ball game, obviously.
“I’m very proud of our efforts in Boston. Those guys stepped up and played exceptional basketball. Beautiful to see. Beautiful to watch.”
This story will be updated.
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