LeBron James has spoken for the first time after the Golden State Warriors reportedly failed in a bid to trade for the Los Angeles Lakers star earlier this month.
The 39-year-old has just over one year left on his current contract with the Lakers before entering unrestricted free agency in 2025.
It has long been thought that James would end his career with the Lakers and potentially team up with his son, Bronny, once he's drafted into the NBA.
But blockbuster reports emerged earlier month that the Warriors made a cheeky attempt to trade for James at the deadline.
It was claimed that Golden State owner Joe Lacob contacted Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to inquire about James' ability.
Buss is said to have deferred Lacob to James' representatives, who made it clear the NBA icon had no interest in entertaining a move.
However, James has played dumb on the supposed conversations, insisting he was not aware of any supposed talks between his camp and the Warriors.
“I actually heard about it when everybody else heard about it,” James said during the NBA All Star weekend.
“Sometimes there's conversations that happen behind closed doors that you don't even know about it.
"And I guess until it's real or not, then they'll bring it to you. But it never even got to me.”
James' comments come after his agent Rich Paul said earlier in the week that there has been no indication his client wants out of the Lakers.
"He's committed to the Lakers," Paul said.
"Jeanie [Buss] has been an incredible partner for him and us, and I think it's important for that to be understood and to be respected.
"Obviously there's ups and downs and emotions throughout the course of a season, but ultimately, LeBron's committed to the Lakers."
Just hours before lining up for his record 20th consecutive NBA All-Star game, James also admitted that he wasn't far away from calling time on his illustrious career.
“I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left, I know it’s not that many,” he said.
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“I don’t have the answer to how long it is, or which uniform I’ll be in.
“Hopefully it is the Lakers, it is a great organisation, so many greats.
"I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming. It’s coming for sure.”
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