"LeBron was not a difficult free agent signature" for the Lakers

Jerry West is a legend in Los Angeles. He was an All-Star 12 times, completing the task every year he was in the league. He won the 1971-72 NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Clippers' Executive Council.

So, he knows one or two things about Los Angeles.

The Lakers were the subject of conversation around the NBA recently thanks to their signature LeBron James. The former star of Cleveland Cavaliers decided to decamp from his home country in order to play in the glamor and glamor of Southern California. This is a new chapter in LeBron's career, which may not be dominated by a final each year.

Given the alignment of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka around LeBron, it is not very clear that the Lakers will argue. championships anytime soon. Still, LA was attractive to James for several reasons besides basketball, and rumors spread that his decision was still going to be the Lakers.

For his money, West says that LeBron's signature was not really difficult for Magic and Pelinka

Via Sports Illustrated:

"All due respect to the Lakers, who handled everything well" said West, "but, as these things go, LeBron was not a free agent signature difficult." LeBron wanted to come to LA and he wanted to come to the Lakers. he has a house here [Actually two homes.] He has a son [13-year-old “Bronny” Jr.] whom he wants to keep in a school in Los Angeles.He will be a celebrity here, of course, but it's a place where, from time to time, he can get lost, be himself.You can not do that everywhere. "

This is a very fair assessment of LeBron's decision to sign in Los Angeles, especially if we have to believe that the other factors have weighed so heavily in his assessment.It seems that James wants to slowly leave the basketball while con continuing to use his cult of personality, whether in the cinema, production or elsewhere.

James is a multi-billion dollar athlete with Nike and makes nine figures with the Lakers. during his current contract. It makes sense that he wants to try to diversify to continue this race of cultural significance.

West is probably right to say that it was not difficult for the Lakers to sign LeBron. Now the real question is whether they can put a team around James this year (or next) that will at least make basketball part of his time at Staples Center.