LeBron James is one of the most dominant figures in basketball. In 2018, he secured a monumental $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, an intriguing chain of events surrounding the imprisonment of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a client of LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, played a surprising role in facilitating this massive deal. In his book “LeBron Inc.: The Making of a Billion-Dollar Athlete,” Brian Windhorst reveals the intriguing details of how Caldwell-Pope’s jail sentence inadvertently paved the way for James’ move to the Lakers, with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss even forging a friendship with Paul during this period.
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Before 2018, LeBron had two massive trades that surprised the world. But the move to LA was a lot more predictable. There were tell-tale signs throughout but once Rich Paul became close to Jeanie Buss, the deal was all but signed.
A Fortuitous Connection Unveiled
The pages of Windhorst’s book shed light on the sequence of events that unfolded during the 2017-18 NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of Rich Paul’s clients, to a noteworthy one-year contract worth $18 million. This deal raised eyebrows, as it exceeded expectations for Caldwell-Pope. KCP faced a 25-day jail sentence due to a DUI arrest scheduled for the upcoming season. However, a compassionate judge allowed him to participate in a work-release program. This permitted him to play games and then return to jail.
During this tumultuous period, Rich Paul attended numerous Lakers games at Staples Center to ensure Caldwell-Pope’s well-being and to manage any potential complications. It was during one early-season game that Lakers owner Jeanie Buss extended an invitation to Paul.
She invited him to sit alongside her in the coveted courtside seats. This unexpected camaraderie between Buss and Paul marked the beginning of a burgeoning friendship, setting the groundwork for future collaborations. Speaking about the situation, Windhorst writes:
“But as a result, Paul would end up becoming a regular at games at Staples Center during the 2017-18 season to keep an eye on Caldwell-Pope and make sure everything was in order during the awkward month when he was sleeping in jail while playing for the Lakers.”
The relationship between Paul and Buss is believed to have been a major factor in James’ decision to sign with the Lakers in 2018. James had been considering a move to Los Angeles for several years, and he was impressed by Buss’ commitment to winning.
KCP Became a Collateral Winner
LeBron’s move benefited KCP as well. He made a cool $12 million when the Lakers re-signed him after the announcement of LBJ’s move. Speaking about how Pope benefited, Windhorst wrote:
“When the move, the third of LeBron’s career, became official, there weren’t any grand announcements via television show or essay this time; it was simply announced in a press release on Klutch Sports letterhead, Klutch Sports being the agency Paul started in 2013. Within hours of LeBron’s announcement, the Lakers agreed to re-sign Caldwell-Pope for $12 million, again higher than some league analysts believed he’d get in the open market.”
LeBron James’ Stellar Lakers Career and Retirement Considerations
Fast forward to the present, and LeBron James has undeniably made his mark as a pivotal player for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James has been incredibly successful since joining the team in 2018. In his five seasons with the team, James has led the Lakers to one NBA championship.
In the 2020 NBA Finals, James led the Lakers to a 4-2 victory over the Miami Heat. James was named the Finals MVP, averaging 29.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
James has also been very successful in the regular season with the Lakers. In his five seasons with the team, James has averaged 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
LeBron James is now 38 years old. After his latest playoff loss in a sweep to the Nuggets, The King could possibly be considering retirement. “I got a lot to think about,” James said in the post-game press conference, per Bleacher Report. “Just personally, with me moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about,” he added.
