Report: LeBron James Wields More Power with Lakers Than Kobe Bryant Ever Did

Over the past four years, the Los Angeles Lakers have made a number of moves to please King James, potentially giving him more control over the organization than Kobe Bryant ever had.

As important as Bryant was to the Lakers, sources inside the organization have long said that not even the legendary Black Mamba wielded as much power within the organization as James now has, according to Bill Oram of The Athletic.

According to Oram, James and his agent Rich Paul were driving forces behind the Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis, while the trade for Russell Westbrook came after general manager Rob Pelinka yielded to James' management instincts.

The Lakers were inactive at the trade deadline, failing to improve a squad that is 27-31 after the All-Star break.

A source close to the Lakers likened the situation to the early days of a war.

James is under contract through the 2022-23 season, but the divide could be enough for a split.

It is a surprising development considering how much the Lakers have appeased the superstar, creating a veteran roster in 2021-22 that has failed to reach expectations. The trade has been disappointing, with the guard producing just.038 win shares per 48 minutes, the lowest since his freshman year.

The strategy of superstars is not uncommon for Los Angeles, with Bryant getting a lot of say in personnel moves.

In 2004, the Lakers traded away O& Neal, splitting a duo that won three NBA titles together. Bryant was a fan of Gasol prior to the trade.

The team overpaid to keep Bryant late in his career, signing him to a two-year, $49.5 million contract after he tore his Achilles.

Pelinka was hired as the Lakers general manager after serving as Bryant's agent.

Los Angeles is once again making moves to keep a star player happy, but the relationship might not last.