LeBron James says Lakers trade rumors about Anthony Davis are ‘fantasy basketball’ until it happens

LeBron James didn’t have a lot to say about the Lakers trade rumors involving Anthony Davis, which might be in everyone’s best interest.

Although it feels like it’s been a month already, it’s been just four days since Anthony Davis requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Los Angeles Lakers have been doing everything they can to team LeBron James and Davis up in L.A.

Naturally, because James and Davis are both represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, James was asked about the Davis trade rumors upon making his return for the Lakers on Thursday, but James told Dave McMenamin of ESPN that there really isn’t anything to talk about yet:

In the middle of all that is the Feb. 7 trade deadline -- a day that could change the shape of the Lakers’ roster completely as they pursue a blockbuster deal for New Orleans’ Anthony Davis.

”There ain’t nothing to talk about,” James told McMenamin when asked about the uncertainty some in the locker room could feel. “That ain’t nothing but fantasy basketball until something happens. We’ll see what happens.”

While that might be true, James has never been one to bite his lip when it comes to rumors, especially when they involve him and his team.

In December, when James made his now infamous comments about how “amazing” it would be to play with A.D., he went on a long-winded rant about all the players he’d also like to play with just because he could. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but there has to be more to his silence.

It’s possible that James is remaining mum on the situation because he doesn’t want to discourage the Pelicans’ already sensitive front office from making a deal with the Lakers. A.D. to L.A. already feels inevitable without James publicly advocating for it, some having him do so (again) might actually have the opposite effect.

This could also be James trying to not disrespect his current teammates by (essentially) openly advocating for them to be shipped out.

Then again, it could be nothing, but when you’re trying to trade for a player of Davis’ caliber, almost everything has to be somewhat thought out. This is no exception.

Hopefully James will have a lot to say when the Feb. 7 NBA trade deadline passes in six days.

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