Maverick Carter on LeBron James’ future: “What matters most is if he wins”

According to Maverick Carter, LeBron James’ longtime friend and business partner, location won’t play a significant factor in where LeBron James plays next season.

“These days it doesn't matter anymore," Carter said during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday. “The Lakers and the Knicks have been bad. The Knicks for a very long time and the Lakers since Kobe [Bryant] kind of aged out of being the best player or one of the best players in the league and basketball is doing as great as ever with teams in Oklahoma City and Cleveland. These days it doesn't matter because you can be known and be a star from anywhere in the world. It doesn't actually matter.”

“Could he sell a few more sneakers if he was in a gigantic market like Boston, Chicago, New York, or L.A.? Maybe,” Carter added. “But not as much as if he wins. What matters the most is if he wins. When you win as an athlete that matters the most.”

Eisen then asked Carter specifically about Los Angeles, the city most expect James to bolt to next summer.

“I understand people keep saying that and thinking that. But the reason it doesn't make sense is because if he does play in L.A. or he plays on the moon he can only shoot movies for three months,” Carter said. “It doesn't matter. Even if he played in L.A. and wanted to be in a movie, he can't shoot from basically September to June.” He also noted that James already has a number of deals in place and could take a meeting “anywhere in the world.”

It is worth noting that James, Carter or any one else around James won’t really speculate on his future or what jersey he might wear next season. Carter and James have both said that he won’t start thinking about it until the season is over. And a lot can, and will, change between now and then.