LeBron is the master of offseason passive-aggressive statements to get his team to spend. This is more of the same.

Like sharks sensing a presence in the water, Rich Paul's cryptic statement that accompanied LeBron James' decision to opt in to his $52.6 million salary for next season led some teams to call the Los Angeles Lakers about the four-time NBA MVP's availability.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Lebron James have reportedly not had conversations about a contract extension, which makes a trade involving the 21-time NBA All-Star seem more likely.