LeBron James is applying pressure to Lakers by showing he still has other options

It's unlikely that LeBron is angling for a trade. His family is settled in Southern California. He is likely involved in projects outside of basketball that are only available within the Los Angeles area. 

However, if there was ever another big market to dangle over the Lakers' heads, New York would be the one. There are just as many opportunities in the Big Apple as there are in Hollywood. 

LeBron would be a star name in the Mecca of basketball. Yet, the truth is the superstar is likely using the fact he still has big market options to pressure the Lakers front office. 

He wants them to upgrade the current roster. He wants them to give him a team capable of winning a championship. And he wants them to do all of that without risking the future of the franchise. Unfortunately, this is an either-or situation. Rob Pelinka can't do both. 

With less than a week until the trade deadline, LeBron will likely be watching the Lakers' moves closely. Not only will they have a direct impact on his ability to contend for a championship this year, but they will also play a part in whether he opts into the player option on his current contract. 

Still, LeBron is playing a dangerous game. He might be one of the greatest players of all time and he might still be a top-10 or top-15 player in the NBA, but he's no longer untouchable. 

There's also no guarantee the Knicks, who have been building slowly in recent years, would risk their future for the final saga of LeBron's career. 

He seems destined to remain in L.A. unless he outstays his welcome. If he continues applying pressure in this way, that could become the case.