Rob Pelinka has insisted internally that there are no hard feelings between himself and LeBron James coming out of the trade deadline period, sources tell Bill Oram of The Athletic.
One source, however, characterized the situation between James and the Los Angeles Lakers as being similar to “the early days of a war.”
The Lakers have yet to show a particular willingness to engage in battle with James. James made several comments over All-Star weekend to suggest he is unhappy with his current situation with the Lakers.
James praised the job Sam Presti has done running the Oklahoma City Thunder while openly discussing the possibility of returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Pelinka clearly misspoke when he said there was “alignment” between the front office and James and Anthony Davis. James clearly wanted the Lakers to do something at the deadline.
Sources inside the Lakers have said that even Kobe Bryant never had as much power within the franchise as James has now. James helped strong-arm the Lakers into a trade for Russell Westbrook, which has been a disaster.
