LeBron James applies trade-deadline pressure on Lakers brass as possible free agency looms

Unlike LeBron James' second stint with the Cavaliers when his annual opt-out option became a regular topic of conversation each season, his run with the Lakers has exuded more stability.

But as was the case before last year's trade deadline, the all-time great is applying pressure on Lakers brass to improve the team's current roster ahead of Feb. 8. And the fact that this summer provides James with his first chance to become a free agent since 2019 gives his position more power. 

After telling reporters that he had yet to decide on his player option for next season, James sent the basketball world into a tizzy by posting an emoji of an hourglass following the Lakers' loss to the Atlanta Hawks last week.  

When asked to clarify what the emoji entailed, James refused to elaborate. 

"No," James told reporters when asked to explain the tweet.

While some have refused to read into James' passive-aggressive ways, ESPN's Brian Windhorst — who has covered James since high school — said on "SportsCenter" Sunday that we're at an "eight on the LeBron James passive-aggressive, trade-deadline timescale."

Windhorst even suggested that James wearing a Knicks towel Saturday night was another passive-aggressive move on "The King's" part.  

"The Lakers to this point, from what I am told by sources, have not reacted to LeBron's maneuvers, including wearing the Knicks towel last night, and they have kind of held firm in their talks," Windhorst said (via BleacherReport). "The issue with the Lakers is they have only a couple of draft assets left, and they just want to hold onto them."