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LeBron James has teamed up with several All-Stars in the NBA. Interestingly, he has been key in many of these players joining his teams over the years.
James has a history of personally recruiting superstar-level players. He has mentioned it himself in the past as well. Here's what he said during an interview with ESPN in 2018:
“I’ve always recruited. I’ve been trying to get guys to come play with me since, like, 2007. I’ve got rejected a lot. But I’ve also have not got rejected a lot.”
It's always great to have a team with multiple All-Stars, which is also key to a team's success in the NBA. It comes as no surprise that a player of LeBron James' caliber has had success having another superstar-level talent playing alongside him.
On that note, here's a look at five times LeBron James actively tried to recruit players in the NBA.
#5 Jimmy Butler
LeBron James or 'LeGM' was most recently active as a recruiter when he first joined the LA Lakers in 2018. James was the only All-Star in the team. He needed another superstar alongside him to put the Lakers back into championship contention.
James failed to convince any of the big stars in the league at the time to join forces with him in LA during his first season. The Lakers eventually missed the playoffs after the four-time MVP succumbed to a groin injury, missing almost 30 games. By the end of the season, several All-Stars like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler and Klay Thompson, among others, were set to enter free agency.
It was the perfect opportunity for LeBron James and the LA Lakers to find a second superstar, which would change the fortunes of the team. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, James was in contact with multiple players, including Jimmy Butler at that point.
A deal for Butler never materialized, though, as the player signed up with the Miami Heat. Butler and the Heat met LeBron James' LA Lakers in the NBA Finals the next season, which the Lakers won 4-2, though.
#4 Kawhi Leonard
Another player LeBron James and the LA Lakers were keenly looking to sign during the 2019 NBA free agency was Kawhi Leonard. The 2019 NBA Finals MVP had expressed his desire to play for his hometown team, LA, in the past.
The Lakers were touted as the favorites to sign Leonard, and as per reports, James was in contact with Leonard. However, the 'Klaw' did not want to team up with the former Cleveland Cavaliers star and form a super-team.
Leonard joined the Lakers' cross-town rivals, the LA Clippers, during the 2019 free agency, where he paired up alongside Paul George.
#3 Dwyane Wade
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have paired up for two different franchises. The duo reached four consecutive NBA Finals together between 2011 and 2014 when they played for the Miami Heat.
James and Wade had a mutual agreement of sorts the first time they played together with the Heat. The second time they teamed up in Cleveland in 2018, James had a huge role to play as a recruiter. Wade himself spoke on the matter in an interview with ESPN after joining LeBron James and the Cavs. Here's what he said:
"He (LeBron) texted me to just take my temperature a little bit...Then he hit me again later, like, 'I don't know what you're gonna do. I don't know where your mind is right now, but if something happens in Chicago and you guys decide to part ways, I want you to really consider coming to Cleveland.'"
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James did not play for too long at the Cleveland Cavaliers, though. That's because Wade was traded at the trade deadline in 2018 to his former team, the Miami Heat. Wade wasn't a great fit for Cleveland, and struggled to make an impact.
#2 Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was the big-name signing for the LA Lakers in the 2019 NBA offseason. The move worked wonders for the franchise, as they won their first title in a decade. LeBron James was heavily involved in the recruitment of Davis.
James had hinted at his desire to play alongside Davis publicly during his first season with the LA Lakers. The two players were also managed by the same agent - Rich Paul - of Klutch Sports when Davis made the switch from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Lakers.
James and Davis are still teammates at the LA Lakers, and are widely regarded as the best duo in the NBA right now.
#1 Damian Lillard
LeBron James has always been a huge fan of Damian Lillard. The LA Lakers star has shown support for Lillard several times publicly. The Portland Trail Blazers star has been loyal to his franchise. Nut there have been instances when James tried to recruit him.
When LeBron James joined the LA Lakers in 2018, Damian Lillard was among the players he tried recruiting. According to former Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough, Lillard was on James' radar shortly after the latter signed for the Lakers in 2018.
There was a lot of speculation this offseason as well about Lillard joining the Lakers after the Portland Trail Blazers failed to get past round one of the playoffs last season. However, the LA Lakers signed up Russell Westbrook instead.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
