Rich Paul, who is LeBron James’ agent, recently revealed why the NBA legend left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018 as an unrestricted free agent.
LeBron signed a four-year, $153 million contract with the Lakers in July 2018 after playing four seasons with the Cavaliers from 2014-15 to 2017-18. The NBA icon guided the Lakers to the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat in the Walt Disney World bubble.
LeBron signed a two-year, $85 million extension with the Lakers in December 2020. He then signed a two-year, $99 million extension with the franchise last summer. LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024 if he declines his 2024-25 player option.
LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in both points and assists. The King has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers. LeBron is the only player in NBA history to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams.
A 19-time All-Star, LeBron is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, ninth in steals, fourth in triple-doubles, third in player efficiency rating, sixth in points per game and second in win shares. He is the only player ever with at least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists. LeBron is a four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP and four-time regular-season MVP.
In 278 games with the Lakers, LeBron is averaging 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists. The Akron Hammer will wear No. 23 again next season after ditching No. 6 to honor the late great Bill Russell.
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