While some denounced the idea of LeBron James in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, his NBA Finals foe Kevin Durant thinks the 33-year-old made the right choice by saying goodbye to Cleveland a second time.

“I thought it was the perfect decision, the perfect move,” said Durant during an Alaska Airlines-sponsored event at Oakland International Airport, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “He did everything you’re supposed to do in Cleveland, the perfect next step for him.”

“He’s kind of breaking down the barriers of what an NBA superstar is supposed to be. You feel like you’re supposed to just play it out in one spot. I think he did a good job of giving you different chapters. And it’s going to make his book more interesting when it’s done.”

James, the son of Akron, Ohio, did right by his hometown by returning to Cleveland and giving the city and the state a much-eluded NBA championship in 2016 after taking down the Golden State Warriors in historic fashion.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Lakers’ LeBron James will love Luka Doncic’s Mind the Game moveJosh Davis ·
Featured image Pascal Siakam
Pacers get injury updates for Game 6 vs. KnicksJulian Ojeda ·
Mavericks Nico Harrison on left. Mavericks PJ Washington shooting a basketball on right. Place a stop sign in the middle.
Why Mavericks’ potential PJ Washington trade would be disasterJoey Mistretta ·
Pat McAfee John Mellencamp
Pat McAfee’s NSFW response to John Mellencamp after viral Game 4 messageAutumn Hawkins ·
Jalen Brunson, Nike Kobe 6 Statue of Liberty, Jalen Brunson Nike Kobe 6
Jalen Brunson, Nike to release Nike Kobe 6 ‘Statue of Liberty’Dominik Zawartko ·
image thumbnail
Clippers trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·

The epic triumph ultimately caused Durant's arrival in the Bay Area, and consequently spelled the end of James' reign of the Eastern Conference after getting swept out of the NBA Finals two months ago with a hollowed out roster.

James didn't land with another star in place, as previously expected. Instead, the Lakers front office has put a barrage of players on one-year deals around him, hoping a Kawhi Leonard or another big-time free agent can join him next offseason.