ESPN insider Brian Windhorst refuted the narrative that LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers on his own terms and not because of the team. His agent, Rich Paul, commented on James’ departure from Los Angeles, suggesting the decision was always his client’s. However, Windhorst said it doesn’t seem that way, as the Lakers never made an offer to the 22-time NBA All-Star.
To prove his point further, Windhorst cited a report from his colleague at ESPN, Ramona Shelburne, who said that the Lakers had custom pillows designed with Austin Reaves’ initials on them when the team offered him a four-year, $185 million extension.
“How do you get a player to stay? You make an offer,” Windhorst said Wednesday on ESPN Los Angeles. “Now, Rich [Paul] is giving them [Lakers] the out, because he’s like, ‘Oh, they didn’t have to. You know, it was up to us, it’s not up to them.’
“If you wanted him to stay, you would have come on the first day (of free agency with an offer). I love this Ramona story so much (with) the pillow. Somebody in the Lakers’ front office … was given the job to make this a beautiful room for Austin [Reaves]. Somebody went and got the pillows. … They did the stitching of ‘AR.’ They’re doing pillow details (for Austin, but) they didn’t make LeBron an offer.”
Generally, when a coveted player hits free agency, he’s the first to be prioritized by his team. LeBron James was the player for several years during his eight-year stint with the Lakers, especially when he opted out of his contracts and signed two-year deals.
Last year, James opted in and played on an expiring contract for the first time. This year, before negotiating a contract, James informed the Lakers that he didn’t plan to return to the franchise before free agency began. It allowed Los Angeles to operate without having to consider the situation with James.
On Wednesday, the Lakers had four contracts lined up in succession. Los Angeles’ first major deal was with center Walker Kessler, as it offered the big man a four-year, $130 million contract and traded two first-round picks and two swaps to the Utah Jazz.
The other deals were with Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, as the Lakers built their roster up to 13 players, exhausting their cap space and room exception.
LeBron James and the Lakers didn’t see eye-to-eye: Report
On the outside, LeBron James and the Lakers had a respectful divorce from their eight-year partnership. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that there was friction between the two parties. James and the Lakers apparently didn’t see eye to eye on what it meant to compete for championships.
“James and the Lakers just simply didn’t see eye-to-eye on what it meant to try to compete for a championship,” Charania said on SportsCenter. “Essentially, to try to compete at the highest of levels.”
Charania added that sources close to James revealed he intended to play meaningful basketball and be on a contender that’s all in on winning a title.
The Lakers were naturally catering more to Luka Doncic, who is their new franchise cornerstone and the long-term building block. It was always going to be a steady process for them to build a contender ready to win right away, which may have raised doubts for James about the team’s ability to win now.
James will have the opportunity to join teams that are aggressively shipping assets for immediate help. The Heat, Timberwolves, Cavaliers, 76ers and Nuggets could be among the suitors he might consider joining, as all have made or are reportedly planning massive roster overhauls.
Read more:
- “Defense and Kuminga?”: Lakers Fans Scoff at Rob Pelinka For Reportedly Eyeing Former Warriors PF For Perimeter Defense
- “Desperation With Capital D”: NBA Fans React as 76ers Are Linked With LeBron James After Jaylen Brown Trade
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
