Back In 2018, King James Joined Lakers: Rich Paul Explains The Move

LeBron James made the decision to sign with a Los Angeles Lakers club that was in the process of rebuilding in 2018. LeBron had brought a championship banner to the Cleveland Cavaliers two years prior.

LeBron has become disenchanted in Cleveland, according to Rich Paul, who was talking on a recent edition of “Gil’s Arena.”

Back In 2018, King James Joined the Lakers: Rich Paul Explains The Move

Rich Paul of Klutch Sports spoke on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast on LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA summer. Paul has a unique view on LeBron’s thinking and decision-making as LeBron’s agent since 2013.

Paul claimed that in contrast to the Cleveland Cavaliers, James thought of the Lakers as a squad with a lot of youth and promise. At the time, in part because of the pressure  LeBron’s presence put on the front office, the Cavs were loaded with aging veterans on bad contracts.

During his second tenure with Cleveland, James reached the Finals in each of his four seasons, but he only prevailed in one of those series due to the Golden State Warriors dynasty. According to Paul, James decided the Lakers were the team he wanted to join as his time with the Cavaliers was coming to an end because he was becoming tired of performing the same old song and dance.

“In our conversation it was – if anybody know him, he gets bored fast, right? And so, my conversation was, looking at the talent. At the time, they had – Jesse [Buss] had done a great job in the draft. Kuz (Kyle Kuzma), Brandon Ingram, Zo (Lonzo Ball), Josh Hart, the talent was young, but was there. If you’re going to leave Cleveland, where you going? Right?” – Rich Paul, Gil’s Arena.

“It’s just a matter of who climbs the mountain top to come back down and climb the mountain again? Obviously, if you go here and win, you’ve been to three destinations and you’ve won in each different place. No matter how many times you’ve moved, you’ve been to three different places and you’ve won. It’s a different conversation.”

LeBron James is the reason why this occurred in the first place, yet the Cavaliers lacked the finances to revamp their squad to center everything on James. The second-most skilled player on the Cavaliers, Kevin Love, did not fit in with the team and was somewhat overvalued. Additionally, the Cavaliers have few tradeable draft selections.

The Lakers might have facilitated a star deal by using their tradeable contracts, young players with potential, and large number of selections. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Kyle Kuzma were among the young players.

Even while his choice still irks Cavs supporters, it appears to have been a move that paid off for James fairly well given how he was able to win another championship with the Lakers.

By the year 2020, it will be clear that LeBron’s choice not only proved to be wise, but also improved his NBA legacy.

LeBron made it plain during his first campaign with the Lakers that he was committed to returning the iconic team to winning ways.

Together, he and Anthony Davis forged a potent alliance that propelled the Lakers to the top seed in the Western Conference. LeBron was recognized as one of the league’s top players as he was chosen to the All-NBA First Team.

 

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