LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers is still puzzling to many fans. Why did LeBron choose to join a team that doesn’t have an All-Star, and hasn’t made the playoffs in five years?
The motive to team up with All-Stars on the Heat in 2010 was clear. The desire to return to the Cavs, four years later, to bring a championship to Ohio was obvious. This time LeBron James has decided to make things more challenging in the top-heavy Western Conference.
The decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers was much deeper than chasing immediate NBA championships for LeBron James.
LeBron made a move that is in the best interest of his family. His 13-year-old son, LeBron James Jr., will immediately reap the benefits of the relocation to Cali. He will be playing basketball at Sierra Canyon High School, where his teammates will include Scottie Pippen Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr. There isn’t a school in Cleveland that would have provided LeBron’s son the opportunity to play at such a high level.
There’s a chance that this path could lead LeBron Jr. to the NBA. Not even his mild mannered father can hide his excitement about the possibility of the two being teammates.
Playing home games in a climate much warmer than Cleveland will benefit LeBron’s body in the long run, allowing him to uphold his end of the bargain to see the father-son duo come to fruition.
As LeBron moves to L.A., he can leave behind the stress of having to be the unofficial general manager for his team. The Lakers organization has a proven track record of acquiring great talent. Kareem, Wilt, Shaq and Kobe wore the purple and gold as a result of a trade or free agency. It’s been less than 24 hours since LeBron has joined the Lakers and already they’ve added solid pieces in JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson. Not to mention, they are still in position to possibly snag another All-Star in Kawhi Leonard or DeMarcus Cousins (likely, both would have to be via trades).
Away from the court, the possibilities for LeBron are endless. He’s now playing in the entertainment capital of the world. He has a production company, SpringHill Entertainment, which has had moderate success with TV shows like The Wall and Survivor’s Remorse. He’s also working on a remake of the ‘90s film House Party. There’s his media company, Uninterrupted, and he could be staring in Space Jam 2.
It’s no secret that LeBron is on a quest to become a billion-dollar athlete. The move to L.A. will certainly get him there.
One of the most important people who could help LeBron go far beyond the billion-dollar threshold is the mastermind behind the deal with the Lakers. Magic Johnson has had just as much success in business as he did winning championships. His portfolio includes a Starbucks deal that landed him $27 million and part ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to ESPN reports, Magic’s free agency pitch to LeBron was the first time the two moguls ever had a one-on-one conversation. With Johnson serving as L.A.’s president of basketball operations, I’m sure his door will always be wide open for LeBron to discuss business.
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This new journey with the Lakers allows LeBron to feel a sense of completion for what he was able to accomplish in his hometown. He gave the city of Cleveland its first championship in 52 years. His philanthropic work lives on as he prepares to open his own school in Akron, Ohio this fall. LeBron has been very vocal about his goals both on the court and with his family. At this stage in his career, Los Angeles is the right move for his next chapter.