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"It was absolutely incredible to compete at such a high level...to play basketball that truly mattered. We had two intense game sevens in a row, first against Serbia and then against France, and it was like a wake-up call. That's why we sent those text messages, made those calls. That passion and drive were reignited within me, reminding me of why we joined forces and named ourselves the Avengers. Experiencing that feeling again, where every possession counts, every mistake stings, it was truly special to relive that moment."

That was LeBron James, before this season tipped off, talking about the energy he brought back from the Paris Olympics,

where he won gold and was deservedly named tournament MVP

The 13-11 Lakers are not playing for those kind of stakes. LeBron sat out his first game of the season Sunday night — the Lakers beat the struggling Trail Blazers without him — but his Lakers sit as the No. 8 seed in a crowded and deep West. Those Lakers have the 26th-ranked defense in the league, which is more likely to have them competing to get out of the play-in than for a title.

That has other teams wondering if LeBron might push for a trade,

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective podcast

"I would be lying if I said that there haven't been some conversations in the league [about], 'Would LeBron at some point this year revisit that?' Because you remember last year at the trade deadline, the Warriors called."

At the time, reportedly, the Lakers went to LeBron and asked if he would want that kind of a trade, and he said no. He wanted to remain a Laker and live with his family in Los Angeles.

There are a few reasons to think the answer would be the same now.

First, does anyone think LeBron is going to walk away from playing with Bronny James? Is LeBron going to say, "This has been fun and all son, but you're on your own, I am choosing Stephen Curry." That's not how fatherhood works.

LeBron could demand Bronny be attached to any trade, but that gets into the second issue: The complexity of trading LeBron anywhere, specifically to the Warriors. Both teams are in tight financial situations with the luxury tax and apron restrictions, plus the Lakers have zero reasons to tank. Windhorst got into that.

"But I just want to say a couple of things. First off, any trade that the Warriors make is gonna be complicated. [The Warriors] have only $500,000 that they're allowed to spend more in this season. It's first/second apron stuff — I know it's boring. Any trade that they make, they really can't take on more money. Guess what? The Lakers are not allowed to take on any money because they're in the first apron. So, it's possible if LeBron wanted it. Also, LeBron has a no-trade clause. Also, the Lakers don't own their first-round pick. It goes unprotected to the Atlanta Hawks."

Finally, there is the obvious (something else Windhorst got into): LeBron has had chances to leave the Lakers and has said no. He could have said yes when the Lakers approached him last February about the Warriors, but he shot down the idea. Then, this summer, LeBron was a free agent who could have tested the market, but instead, he re-signed with the Lakers — and got a no-trade clause. LeBron made sure he had complete control over his future and couldn't go anywhere he didn't want to go.

All indications are what he wants is to finish his career as a Laker. However much longer that will be.