LeBron James' decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers apparently wasn't about chasing one last massive paycheck.
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According to longtime agent Rich Paul, it came down to something much more personal.
Appearing on Max Kellerman's Game Over podcast, Paul said James spent much of the offseason trying to answer one simple question as he weighed whether to return to Los Angeles for a 24th NBA season.
"What makes me completely happy?"
Paul said James initially leaned toward staying with the Lakers. In fact, he estimated there was about an 80% chance that would happen before his thinking gradually changed.
"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."
Paul said he reminded James that, after winning four NBA championships, four MVP awards and becoming the league's all-time leading scorer, there wasn't much left for him to prove.
Instead, he encouraged James to focus on what would make him happiest as his career enters its final chapter.
Eventually, according to Paul, James reached his answer.
"I understand where things are," Paul recalled James saying. "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 he even asked James if he was certain about moving on.
His response? "I'm 100% sure."
James' departure ends an eight-year run with the Lakers that included the 2020 NBA championship, an NBA Finals MVP award and the moment he became the league's all-time scoring leader.
