Rich Paul: LeBron James Joining Lakers Was ‘About Doing What He Wants to Do’

FREDERIC J. BROWN/Getty Images

In Miami, LeBron James learned how to be a champion. When he returned to Cleveland, he brought a major sports championship to Northeast Ohio for the first time in five decades.

Now, he’s doing what he wants.

“In 2010, when he went to Miami, it was about championships,” agent Rich Paul told Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated. “In 2014, when he went back to Cleveland, it was about delivering on a promise. In 2018, it was just about doing what he wants to do.”

James, 33, agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 1 in a move that’s curious from a basketball perspective. There were other options (Houston, Philadelphia) with a more immediate championship window, and re-signing in Cleveland would have made the Cavs favorites for a fifth straight Finals appearance.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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