LeBron James Had 80% Chance of Returning to Lakers Before Taking U-Turn, Reveals Rich Paul
LeBron James was generally considered to be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season.
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LeBron James initially wanted to return to Lakers (Image via FirstSportz)
LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers did shock a lot of people, as fans and analysts were expecting him to take a pay cut and return to the franchise.
That was as much of a business move as it would be in terms of basketball. On the one hand, the King gets to stay at home and continue to build his business interests in the city.
On the basketball side, last season proved he can switch between roles at will. Playing alongside familiar faces and a head coach he seemingly helped hire made it all the more sensible.
Where are you at in terms of returning right here where we are at (Lakers)? He said, ‘80%.’… This was weeks ago… Then, as time went on, he thought about things more. It kind of went down, and down, and down.
Rich Paul revealed on Game Over podcast
The super agent confirmed that returning to the Los Angeles Lakers was a huge possibility right after the end of their second-round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Rich Paul breaks down his conversations with LeBron over the last few weeks that led to him leaving the Lakers:
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 1, 2026
– LeBron told Rich he just wants to have ‘complete happiness’
– Came to a conclusion that it can’t be about money for his next team
– LeBron was at 80% on returning… pic.twitter.com/cH1BW6cHCw
But over the next month and a half, it seems LeBron James’ interest in wearing the purple and gold jersey started diminishing. Rich Paul revealed that his No. 1 client knew well enough that he would get the most money if he stayed.
Therefore, this was not about the money, as the father of three has been accused of doing in the past few years. Rather, it was finding happiness in whatever he did. In this case, that was playing basketball the way he wanted and with a team that probably appreciated him.
Rich Paul explains why Lakers did not offer LeBron James a contract
After talking about the happiness aspect that LeBron James is looking for, Game Over Podcast co-host Max Kellerman asked Rich Paul whether the Los Angeles Lakers offered the 41-year-old another contract.
They wanted to bring him back, obviously. But there didn’t need to be one, and I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.
Rich Paul replied
The Klutch Sports CEO revealed that once he confirmed with the four-time champion his decision to step away from the franchise, Paul met with both GM Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick.
The agent felt it was better for all parties not to waste anyone’s time, which is why he and his client did not wait for an offer. Paul also revealed that James had not met up with any of the Lakers’ personnel or his former teammates before deciding to leave.
Paul did not reveal exactly what led LeBron James to take this decision, but it is possible that he may have felt increasingly underappreciated, or in his words, ‘taken for granted.’
Austin Reaves sent LeBron James a heartfelt send-off message
Even though LeBron James has decided to stay away from the Los Angeles Lakers and his former teammates altogether, some might not want to forget him just yet.
Thank you for everything. See you on the golf course soon brother!
Austin Reaves wrote on IG
The undrafted star has repeatedly mentioned what the four-time league MVP has done for him. If anything, James has a lot to do with the guard earning his $185 million contract.
That is why this message was bound to come. After Luka Doncic gave his flowers hours after the league’s all-time leading scorer announced his departure, others were expected to follow.
The only wait-and-watch game the Lakers stars will play is which team their former teammate joins. Among all the options being touted, both Austin Reaves and Doncic know it will be one or the other contender.
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