The real reason LeBron James left the LA Lakers has been revealed, as two teams are now competing to sign the NBA superstar.
LeBron James surprised basketball fans earlier this week when it was announced he would leave the LA Lakers as a free agent and continue his NBA journey with a new team.
At 41, LeBron is still considered one of the best players ever, and he’s expected to get plenty of offers as he thinks about the next step in his amazing career.
He’s the NBA’s all-time top scorer and holds records for most minutes played and most All-Star games. Throughout his career, he’s averaged nearly 27 points per game and won four MVP awards—only a few legends like Michael Jordan have more.
People have been guessing why LeBron decided to leave Los Angeles, and now reports say the main reason is his wish to chase another NBA championship before he retires.
With only a few seasons left, he wants to give himself the best shot at winning a fifth title. Meanwhile, the Lakers are focusing on building for the future, so their plans don’t line up right now.
Because of this, LeBron is looking to join a team that’s ready to fight for a championship right away.
His agent, Rich Paul, told The Athletic, “LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, but he wants to compete for championships. We want to find the best fit for LeBron at this point in his life and career. He wants to make every season count.”
ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania agrees, saying LeBron’s choice is all about happiness, not money. “LeBron feels he needs to find his happiness somewhere else, and wherever he goes, money won’t be the main thing,” Charania said.
LeBron is expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. Early reports say the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are leading the race to sign him, with the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat also showing interest.
ESPN reports that the Warriors are ready to go all out for LeBron and also plan to try and sign Anthony Davis, who is now with the Washington Wizards. Draymond Green, the Warriors star, has said he might take a pay cut from his $27.6 million to help the team afford LeBron or Davis.
Joining Golden State would bring LeBron back together with his close friend Draymond Green and, for the first time, let him play alongside Stephen Curry. They were rivals in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, with Curry and the Warriors winning three times.
LeBron also has a great relationship with Anthony Davis, after they won the 2020 NBA championship together with the Lakers. So, a reunion with Davis on the Warriors would be an exciting possibility if that team manages to sign both stars.