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LeBron James\u2019 decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers was not driven by money, contract size or market appeal. The final chapter of James\u2019 career is now centered around one thing: happiness, according to his longtime agent Rich Paul.<\/p>\n
Paul revealed that James\u2019 thinking changed significantly as the offseason unfolded.<\/p>\n
While a return to Los Angeles once appeared likely, that outlook gradually disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if it\u2019s about happiness, then it can\u2019t be about money,\u201d Paul said s<\/a>peaking on Max Kellerman\u2019s \u201cGame Over\u201d podcast. \u201cIf it\u2019s about happiness, because if it\u2019s the most money, then it\u2019s not necessarily the most happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul explained that he encouraged James to focus on what mattered most after a career that has already delivered virtually every accomplishment imaginable.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve accomplished more than any player\u2019s ever accomplished,\u201d Paul said he told James. \u201cYou got every record, all the stuff. Let\u2019s find one foundational thing to build off of.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Paul, LeBron eventually settled on one answer.<\/p>\n \u201cComplete happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n However, as the summer progressed, his feelings changed.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce he got to a place to where he said, \u2018Listen, man, I understand where things are, and I get it,\u2019\u201d Paul said. \u201cI know that\u2019s where I could probably make the most money. But for me, where I\u2019m at today, it\u2019s probably not the best thing for me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Before closing the door on Los Angeles, Paul made sure James fully understood the magnitude of the decision.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 100 percent sure that that\u2019s not a place I would want to return,\u201d Paul recalled James telling him.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThey wanted to bring him back, obviously, but there didn\u2019t need to be one,\u201d Paul said regarding a contract offer. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t want to waste anyone\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul added that James\u2019 next destination will be determined by one priority above all others: \u201cHaving the ability to compete for the possibility of winning a championship.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: LeBron James Says Goodbye to Lakers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n