Lakers Rumors: LeBron James' Frustration 'Visibly High' During 1st Season in LA

LeBron James has preached patience since signing a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason, but for someone who has reached eight consecutive NBA Finals, that approach may be easier said than done.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, James' "frustration level has been visibly high" at various points during his first season in purple and gold.

Los Angeles has spent the first portion of the season trying to blend veteran additions with a young core. Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley were among the veteran players added to a rebuilding roster that featured the likes of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart. NBA champion Tyson Chandler was later acquired early on this season.

Knowing that there was plenty of work ahead, the four-time NBA made it clear during the preseason that he was willing to let the team develop at its own pace.

"I'm not a very patient guy, but I understand that I have to be patient right now," James said in September, per the Associated Press' Greg Beacham. "I've got to be patient with myself, too, because this is a new start for me. It's my first year in a new system. I know how to play the game of basketball, but this is all new to me, too. So I have to be patient with myself, not only with my teammates."

However, his patience has been tested throughout this season.

It took only seven games—in which the Lakers went 2-5—for James to admit "you probably don't want to be around when my patience runs out":

Los Angeles quickly managed to find a bit of a groove, winding up at 20-14 overall following a Christmas Day victory over the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors. However, it was during that contest that James suffered a groin injury, one that he has yet to return from. 

James is not the only one to be hobbled by injury this season, though, as Rondo (hand and finger) and Ball (ankle) have each been sidelined as well.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Jackie MacMullan recently reported on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast that James' camp "would prefer a coaching change" from Luke Walton.

James joined the Lakers knowing that there may be a transitional period that came along with it. However, at 34 years old, the three-time NBA champion understands that he is on the backend of his career, meaning he only has a limited amount of time to further cement his legacy. 

With the Feb. 7 trade deadline more than a week away, Magic Johnson and Co. still have time to try to solidify the roster around James.