LeBron James’ decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers was not driven by money, contract size or market appeal. The final chapter of James’ career is now centered around one thing: happiness, according to his longtime agent Rich Paul.
Paul revealed that James’ thinking changed significantly as the offseason unfolded.
While a return to Los Angeles once appeared likely, that outlook gradually disappeared.
“So if it’s about happiness, then it can’t be about money,” Paul said speaking on Max Kellerman’s “Game Over” podcast. “If it’s about happiness, because if it’s the most money, then it’s not necessarily the most happiness.”
Paul explained that he encouraged James to focus on what mattered most after a career that has already delivered virtually every accomplishment imaginable.
“You’ve accomplished more than any player’s ever accomplished,” Paul said he told James. “You got every record, all the stuff. Let’s find one foundational thing to build off of.”
According to Paul, LeBron eventually settled on one answer.
“Complete happiness.”
The decision was not immediate. Paul said that only weeks earlier, James believed there was roughly an 80 percent chance he would return to the Lakers for another season.
However, as the summer progressed, his feelings changed.
“Once he got to a place to where he said, ‘Listen, man, I understand where things are, and I get it,’” Paul said. “I know that’s where I could probably make the most money. But for me, where I’m at today, it’s probably not the best thing for me to do.”
Before closing the door on Los Angeles, Paul made sure James fully understood the magnitude of the decision.
“I’m 100 percent sure that that’s not a place I would want to return,” Paul recalled James telling him.
That certainty ended any need for lengthy negotiations with the Lakers. Paul said his discussions with Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick remained positive and that the organization wanted James back.
“They wanted to bring him back, obviously, but there didn’t need to be one,” Paul said regarding a contract offer. “And I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
Paul added that James’ next destination will be determined by one priority above all others: “Having the ability to compete for the possibility of winning a championship.”
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