LeBron James and Lakers Part Ways as Team Focuses on Other Players

LeBron James decided not to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for another season. His agent Rich Paul called Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka from the Polo by Ralph Lauren store in the Southern Village at Wimbledon on Tuesday to deliver the news.

Neither James' camp nor the Lakers exchanged formal or informal offers in the week before free agency, according to sources on both sides.

The Lakers had called Paul a week earlier to arrange a videoconference with James but were told he was unavailable. Paul later said James had already decided against returning and saw no need for the call. James had told Paul a few weeks earlier that he was 80 percent sure he would play another season with the Lakers.

By the time the team reached out, Paul said James was a thousand percent certain he was ready to move on. The Lakers declined to offer James a contract extension, unlike the two previous occasions. After the season, the team met with Luka Doncic and his manager Lara Beth Seager at Craig's on Melrose Avenue to pitch an extension.

Pelinka and coach JJ Redick presented plans to build around the 27-year-old player. The Lakers instead focused on retaining Austin Reaves. They presented him with customized pillows and blankets and played his favorite country music during a pitch meeting at the team's facility.

Reaves agreed to a new four-year, $185 million deal. James earned $52.6 million in the prior season. He recently completed a 10-day European trip to mark the 10th anniversary of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2016 NBA title.