LeBron James will soon be throwing on a Los Angeles Laker jersey officially. Here’s what an NBA insider told HL EXCLUSIVELY about his decision to head to the West Coast!
It’s time for LeBron James, 33, to start blasting 2Pac’s “California Love,” because he’s headed out to Cali. The former Cleveland Cavaliers star has once again put Ohio in his rear-view, as his agent announced on July 1 that he’s joining the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron signed a four-year contract worth $154 million dollars, but as an insider EXCLUSIVELY told HollywoodLife.com, moving to California was the only option left for King James. “LeBron’s interest in the Lakers is multifaceted,” our source explained. “There’s the lifestyle for starters. Let’s face it, the lifestyle that LA offers, when you’re an athlete of LeBron’s standing, is pretty much second to none. The restaurants, weather, beach, shopping, culture, clubs — LA has it all, and it’s impossible to beat on that front.
“Then there’s the lucrative endorsement deals, because Hollywood really knows how to sell stars better than anywhere else,” the insider told HollywoodLife.com, “so he’s guaranteed to get maximum bang for his endorsement buck.” But his choice of LA also has to do with his longer term of goals post-retirement, since he’ll be 37 by the time his contract is up (keep in mind that LeBron’s fellow Laker, Kobe Bryant, was 37 when he retired in 2016.)
“There’s his future to consider, after he retires from basketball,” our source added. “LeBron has been very vocal about his desire to become one of the major players in the entertainment world, and he’s already a pretty big fish. LeBron’s company Spring Hill Entertainment, which is located on the Warner Brothers lot, has a bunch of TV and movie projects in the pipeline already, and he’s also the creator of a hugely successful media project called Uninterrupted, with his buddy Maverick Carter, that’s the most viewed sports show on the internet.”
When it comes down to it, Los Angeles seems to be the only city that has everything the King could want. “Being in LA has got to be a really attractive prospect if LeBron wants to build further on his dream of becoming a Hollywood mogul,” our source went on to say. “It’s kind of a no-brainer really when you think about it.” Obviously, LeBron didn’t need a second thought on the Lakers’ offer. Welcome to L.A., LeBron!