LeBron James looking for complete happiness, not big payday, agent says

LeBron James’ decision to leave the Lakers was not about money, leverage or market size.It came down to something much harder to quantify, according to James’ longtime agent Rich Paul.“Complete happiness.”Appearing on the latest episode of the “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul explained that James initially seemed likely to return to Los Angeles for another season.But as the offseason unfolded, that confidence faded.“So if it’s about happiness, then it can’t be about money,” Paul said.

“If it’s about happiness, because if it’s the most money, then it’s not necessarily the most happiness.”That became the central question for James as he weighed whether to continue with the Lakers or move on for his 24th NBA season.Paul said he told James to think about one foundational thing that should guide the final stage of his career.James did not owe anyone anything, Paul said, after a career that has included four championships, four MVP awards, the NBA scoring record and nearly every major individual accomplishment available to him.“You’ve accomplished more than any player’s ever accomplished,” Paul said he told James.

“You got every record, all the stuff.Let’s find one foundational thing to build off of.”James eventually landed on “complete happiness,” according to Paul.That did not immediately mean he was leaving the Lakers.

Paul said that several weeks earlier, James still gave his chances of returning to Los Angeles at around 80%.But that number continued to drop as the offseason moved along.Eventually, James reached a firm conclusion.“Once he got to a place to where he said, ‘Listen, man, I understand where things are, and I get it.

I know that’s where I could probably make the most money.But for me, where I’m at today, it’s probably not the best thing for me to do,’” Paul said.Paul said he asked James if he was completely sure.James was.“I’m 100% sure that that’s not a place I would want...