05 February 2024 , 00:32
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The Los Angeles Lakers, who are not performing as well as expected this season, have been told they need a "philosophy change." This comes amid drama surrounding basketball superstar LeBron James and the looming trade deadline.
A recent mysterious social media message from James featuring a ticking hourglass has sparked chatter among NBA fans about what it could mean about his future. Although the four-time NBA champion hasn't explained the message on X, it's led to talk about possible trades or changes he might be pushing for behind closed doors.
Some fans think it is a subtle hint that James might consider leaving if the team does not improve. His contract, worth $97.1 million, runs out after the 2024-25 season.
When asked about the cryptic post, head coach Darvin Ham saw it as a sign that the team knows they need to step up their game. He recognised the pressure of playing for the Lakers and highlighted James's high standards due to his impressive career.
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Ham shared that he gets where James is coming from, given his current career stage. He also acknowledged the team's collective duty to live up to the high standards set by the Lakers. The squad has been linked with several players ahead of the Feb 9. trade deadline, including Malcolm Brogdon, Dejounte Murray, Buddy Hield and Zach LaVine, though the latter option is now off the table after LaVine sustained a season-ending injury that required surgery.
The Lakers are also rumoured to be eyeing Bruce Brown as a replacement for Jarred Vanderbilt, who's expected to be out for several weeks due to a right foot injury. Despite negative X-rays, there are reports that he could miss the rest of the season.
Fans have sparked wild rumours suggesting that James might leave the team before the deadline, with the New York Knicks being mentioned as a possible new home. However, his agent and close friend, Rich Paul, set the record straight, stating that LeBron has no plans to seek a trade and has never requested one.
LeBron James' cryptic tweet caused concern before the trade deadline (Getty)Despite winning their last two games, the Lakers' record stands at 26-25, placing them as the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference standings. With James playing, the team has a record of 23-22, while they've won three and lost three games when James was absent.
In a recent game against the Boston Celtics, Austin Reaves stepped up in LeBron James' absence, scoring 32 points and leading the Lakers to victory. Both James and Anthony Davis were out due to various injuries.
The Lakers managed to beat the Knicks 113-105 on Saturday night, thanks to the return of James and Davis. James netted 24 points, while Davis contributed with 12 points and 18 rebounds.
Despite entering the final quarter with an 86-80 lead, the Knicks couldn't maintain their momentum, missing 11 shots in a row and going scoreless for over seven minutes. This loss ended the Knicks' impressive nine-game winning streak. However, they still hold a strong 32-18 record, keeping them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.