When & Why LeBron Decided to Leave Lakers and Pay Cut Contract Talks Uncovered in New NBA Rumors

After star forward LeBron James opted to part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers and test free agency, new details have emerged about what led to his departure.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne spoke to James' agent, Rich Paul, and revealed what went down behind the scenes between the 41-year-old and the Lakers.

"For a week, neither James' camp nor the Lakers had exchanged formal or even informal offers, according to sources on both sides of the situation. Nor had they discussed a vision for a future together, or even met face-to-face -- in person or virtually," Shelburne reported. "The Lakers called Paul a week before free agency, when teams could approach their own free agents, to try to arrange a videoconference with James and were told he wasn't available. Paul didn't say why at the time, but he told ESPN it was because James had already decided he didn't want to return to the Lakers and that there was no need for a call."

Shelburne added that James wasn't interested in taking a pay cut to remain with the Lakers.

"Even if they offered $10 million to $15 million more than any other team, James could still see their offer as a pay cut if another team was offering the most it was allowed to offer him, one team source explained," Shelburne stated. "It was the curse of incumbency."

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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