LeBron James was rumored to join a legitimate NBA Championship contender this offseason, such as the Houston Rockets or Philadelphia 76ers, but he opted to join the rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers instead.
Now, this move can only surprise so many people. James was linked to the Lakers throughout the past several months, and the indications early in free agency were that he was going to join the purple and gold.
So LeBron decides he wants to live the luxurious lifestyle of Hollywood, which is fair. His family played a huge role in his decision, and James did purchase a second L.A. home this past winter.
Surely, Lakers legend and president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson , wowed LeBron during the team's pitch. Johnson won five NBA Championships himself, and he can help James learn the ways of being a successful sports owner and businessman after his playing career.
But with all due respect to James - who has more than earn the right to make his own decisions without being doubted - this was not the time for him to suit up with the Lakers. And it could be a decision that will cost him another championship. Or two. Or three. Or even four.
It was widely expected throughout the past calendar year that Paul George would join his hometown Lakers. Instead, the five-time All-Star signed a whopping four-year, $137 million extension to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
DeMarcus Cousins was also linked to the Lakers, but he wound up signing with the defending champion Golden State Warriors for one year, at a very modest $5.3 million salary.
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Now, what about San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, who reportedly wants a trade to the Lakers? Too bad Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer is reporting that league sources are scoffing at the Lakers trade offers for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Well, that's too bad. If the Lakers can't get Leonard, there's virtually no other superstar available in free agency or in the trade market. In short, LeBron is the only star on a Lakers team that is rebuilding, and questionably decided to cut ties with young talent, Julius Randle.
So now LeBron is being tasked in working alongside Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball - none of whom can be classified as 'rising superstars' just yet. The Lakers may contend in two or three years from now, but certainly not in 2019, and likely not 2020.
By then, LeBron will be 35 years of age - and nearing the end of his more dominant years. As such, it's surprising that he would join a team that isn't much better on paper than the Cleveland Cavaliers squad he left behind.
And with that, there is every reason to question LeBron's decision to join the Lakers right now. He turns 34 in December and only has three rings to his name. At this point, James' motivation should be to win as many championships as possible.
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If he's lucky, James will win two more in Laker Land - though they'd have to somehow land two more superstars to make it happen. Maybe they sign Cousins and/or Leonard in free agency next year, but this is a big "maybe."
When it came to realistic LeBron landing spots - the 76ers and Rockets were the only teams that offered him a shot of taking down the Golden State Warriors - and thus winning more championship rings.
Imagine James working with Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. As good as the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are, James took them both down in the 2017 and '18 playoffs without much support. If he joined Philly, James would have had had an easy path to the finals.
But the Rockets - who won an NBA-best 65 games and fell one game shy of the Finals - would have also been enticing. James would play with Chris Paul and James Harden - two of the all-time greats who really challenged the Warriors on their own.
So why did James join the Lakers as he nears the end of his prime? Hollywood, Magic Johnson, the money, the chance of playing with the historic franchise. You name it. James made his own decision, and he'd surely like it if everyone respected it.
But at this stage of his career, all LeBron has to do is catch Jordan. He made the bold decision to change teams for the third time in his career. But unlike 2010 and 2014, James is joining a team where no superstars await. And this time, it's hard to see how he will win another championship with his new team.