NBA Notes: Lakers, LeBron James, Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, Suns

Lakers

LeBron James did not dodge the trade-deadline question. Asked whether the Lakers need to make a move, his answer was simple.

“Yeah, I do,” James said, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

That was as far as he wanted to take it. James said going deeper would be unfair to teammates and leaned away from playing armchair GM.

“It’s disrespectful to these guys if I start talking over the deadline,” he said. “I’m trying not to play fantasy basketball too much.”

The Lakers are 11-13 since a hot 15-4 start, and the pressure is building. James sees the urgency, even if he is not naming names.

Clippers

Kawhi Leonard returned from a three-game absence and looked like he never left, scoring 24 points in 26 minutes in a win over the Lakers.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue liked what he saw right away.

“I thought he looked really good, especially to start the game in that first quarter,” Lue said, via Janis Carr of the Orange County Register. “He had good pop.”

Leonard may still be building stamina, but the early burst was a strong sign.

Suns

Phoenix is thrilled to have Jalen Green back after a lengthy hamstring absence, and the feeling is mutual, writes Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

“His joy is back,” coach Jordan Ott said, pointing to Green’s speed and downhill attacking as key offensive boosts.

In short, the Suns feel the energy shift already.