LeBron James’ decision to leave the Lakers was not about money, leverage or market size.
It came down to something much harder to quantify, according to James’ longtime agent Rich Paul.
“Complete happiness.”
Appearing on the latest episode of the “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul explained that James initially seemed likely to return to Los Angeles for another season. But as the offseason unfolded, that confidence faded.
“So if it’s about happiness, then it can’t be about money,” Paul said. “If it’s about happiness, because if it’s the most money, then it’s not necessarily the most happiness.”
That became the central question for James as he weighed whether to continue with the Lakers or move on for his 24th NBA season.
Paul said he told James to think about one foundational thing that should guide the final stage of his career. James did not owe anyone anything, Paul said, after a career that has included four championships, four MVP awards, the NBA scoring record and nearly every major individual accomplishment available to him.
“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.”
James eventually landed on “complete happiness,” according to Paul.
That did not immediately mean he was leaving the Lakers. Paul said that several weeks earlier, James still gave his chances of returning to Los Angeles at around 80%. But that number continued to drop as the offseason moved along.
Eventually, James reached a firm conclusion.
“Once he got to a place to where he said, ‘Listen, man, I understand where things are, and I get it. 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,’” Paul said.
Paul said he asked James if he was completely sure.
James was.
“I’m 100% sure that that’s not a place I would want to return,” Paul recalled James telling him.
That ended any need for a formal meeting with the Lakers. Paul said his conversations with president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick were cordial, and he made clear that Los Angeles wanted James back. But once James had made up his mind, Paul did not want to waste anyone’s time.
“They wanted to bring him back, obviously, but there didn’t need to be one,” Paul said of a Lakers offer. “And I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
James now leaves Los Angeles after eight seasons, one championship and seven All-NBA selections. His Lakers tenure included the 2020 title, the NBA’s all-time scoring record, the first father-son game with Bronny James and another late-career stretch of elite production.
Even at 41, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season while helping the Lakers secure the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
That production is why speculation around his next team has already centered on contenders. The Warriors, Cavaliers and Heat have all been mentioned, while the Timberwolves are also believed to have interest.
Golden State has drawn the most attention, especially after Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option to create more flexibility. A move to the Warriors would pair James with Steph Curry and potentially give him one more realistic championship swing.
Paul said James’ next stop will be about “having the ability to compete for the possibility of winning a championship.” Market size, he joked, is not the deciding factor as long as there is access to “indoor and outdoor golf.”
For James, the Lakers chapter is closed.
The next one appears to be about finding the right ending.