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 New York Knicks and the rest of the NBA are keeping an eye on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers after the King accepted his $52 million player option. The player option makes LeBron a free agent next summer and the move has triggered talks of a potential trade.

Brian Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland that the superstar and the Lakers are "beginning to move apart" and that this is the beginning of the end of his time with the franchise (h/t Lakers Daily ).