Maverick Carter, the business partner of Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, insisted it was James's decision alone to return to Cleveland.
In the weeks prior to James announcing his decision to sign with the Cavaliers, a report from Yahoo Sports indicated James's agent, Rich Paul, was secretly pushing for James to return to Cleveland.
Carter, however, insisted that wasn't the case and told ESPN James came to the decision on his own.
"This was a decision that LeBron made in his heart," Carter said on ESPN's Real Talk podcast. "We didn't push him to do it. We don't push him to do anything. If he asks our opinion or what did we think about the pros and the cons, we help him think through it. We don't push him. ...
"Listen. LeBron's a 29-year-old man with lots of money, got a wife, two kids, one on the way. He makes his own decisions. He doesn't need anyone pushing him any way, and a guy like that, you're not going to push him either way. We'll help him think through things and help him see through things, but he makes his own decision in his heart. Because, ultimately, he has to live with it. I'm not the one who has to show up and play games for any team."
In the letter that announced his decision, James said his heart never left Cleveland and Miami was like going to college for four years, something he didn't experience. James also stated in the letter his intention to be patient in bringing a championship to Cleveland.
