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At least one NBA insider believes that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was trying to send a message by wearing a New York Knicks towel on Saturday evening.

Rumors have been swirling about LeBron’s future in Hollywood and after a game on Saturday, he was seen with a Knicks towel draped over his shoulders in an interview.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst – who has followed James’ career for a number of years – the superstar did that deliberately.

‘Obviously LeBron often wears towels and this is why it’s so brilliant because he has perfect deniability,’ Windhorst said on his ‘Hoops Collective’ podcast.

‘He can just be like, “Oh, I just put a towel around my shoulders. What are you talking about? You guys are out of your mind.” But this is what LeBron excels at. 

LeBron James fueled rumors about his unhappiness in LA by wearing a Knicks towel Saturday

LeBron wearing a Knicks towel for his postgame interview 👀 pic.twitter.com/OMTzizCTN4

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 4, 2024

‘He computes all this stuff. Of course, he was cognizant and aware he was putting on a towel that said New York Knicks. 

‘Why would he mess with the Knicks? Because he was using the Knicks as a tool to pressure the Lakers.’

James and his camp have been avoiding any conversations about his future with the Lakers in recent days – with agent Rich Paul shooting down any speculation on a trade Friday.

But LeBron then posted an hourglᴀss emoji on Twitter – seemingly indicating that his patience with the struggling Lakers is wearing thin. 

‘This is a playbook he has gone to many times,’ Windhorst said of the 39-year-old James. ‘He wants the Lakers to throw it all in to maximize this season… That’s what LeBron is going to do.

‘I don’t think he has any intention to leave the Lakers. I don’t think.. he has his position hurt by leaving his future up in the air.’

That towel was worn after James dropped 24 points in a win over the Knicks at the Garden

LeBron had praise for Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, who have been playing well as a team

James put up 24 points on Saturday to lead Los Angeles to a victory that ended a nine-game win streak for the Knicks.

LeBron paid plenty of compliments to New York guard Jalen Brunson, who he said was playing at ‘more than an All-Star level this year’.

Additionally, Paul met with Knicks president Leon Rose during this trip to reportedly settle any differences the two may have had. 

It might mean that all the signs are pointing to a move to New York – a team on the rise this season and setting up for what could be a fruitful future. 

‘The Knicks are going to be very attractive going forward… The Knicks had to be an option going forward,’ Windhorst said. 

‘Whatever hatchet they may have buried, it’s almost like the Knicks need Klutch [Rich Paul] clients eventually whoever it is, it doesn’t have to be LeBron… Somebody is going to want to play in New York. 

‘Somebody is going to look at Jalen Brunson and say, ‘You know that wasn’t the worst decision in the world.’