In the summer of 2018, LeBron James made headlines by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that added his name to the illustrious list of basketball legends who have donned the purple and gold. The four-time MVP’s arrival in L.A. was seen as a turning point for the franchise, which had struggled to regain its former glory. James wasted no time in delivering, leading the Lakers to an NBA championship in his second season with the team in 2020, a title that came during the league’s pandemic-shortened season.
While the team has yet to return to the NBA Finals since that victory, LeBron continues to perform at an elite level, cementing his status as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
This offseason, there were murmurs among fans and analysts speculating whether James might consider leaving the Lakers, given the team’s inconsistent performance in recent seasons. However, James ultimately decided to remain in Los Angeles, keeping his commitment to the franchise that had bet on him to restore its championship pedigree.
A report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne offered some insight into LeBron’s decision to stay. According to Shelburne, one factor that influenced James’ choice to join and remain with the Lakers was how the organization treated Kobe Bryant in the later stages of his career. Bryant, an all-time great and Laker icon, had been shown tremendous care and respect by the franchise during his final years, despite injuries and a team in rebuild mode.
“Part of the reason James came to the Lakers as a free agent in 2018 is the standard of care they showed during the final seasons of Bryant’s career a decade ago, sources said,” Shelburne wrote. “James liked playing for an iconic franchise as much as he liked how it treated its iconic players.”
This report stirred discussion among fans and the media alike, with many seeing parallels between how the Lakers handled Bryant’s twilight years and LeBron’s current situation. However, LeBron was quick to address the report, taking to social media to set the record straight.
On Saturday morning, James posted an emphatic response, shooting down the notion that his decision to stay with the Lakers was influenced by how the organization treated Bryant.
“I came to the Lakers cause I wanted to help Jeanie win championships, bring that Spark back to the Lakers and see my family blossom in SoCal,” James wrote, referring to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. “Why would I make a decision on how someone else is treated? Mama always said, ‘Stay out of grown folks’ business.'”
LeBron’s response was a clear statement that his choices are driven by his own goals and priorities, not by how others were treated in the past. His commitment to the Lakers has always been about winning and restoring the franchise to its championship stature. In his post, he emphasized his desire to be a driving force behind the Lakers’ success, rather than being swayed by how the team handled Bryant’s career in its final stretch.
James has long been known for making calculated decisions when it comes to his career. His moves, whether in free agency or on the court, are often strategic, designed to maximize his success and legacy. While he has always expressed great admiration and respect for Kobe Bryant, it’s unlikely that Bryant’s experience with the Lakers played a significant role in LeBron’s decision to stay. Instead, James appears focused on continuing to pursue championships and creating new milestones with the Lakers.
Ultimately, LeBron’s commitment to the Lakers is rooted in his own vision for success—both for himself and the franchise.
His decision to stay in L.A. demonstrates his belief that the team can continue to compete at the highest level, and his social media post is a reminder that, for LeBron, the mission remains centered on winning titles and cementing his legacy in the history books.
