One of the most controversial moves of LeBron James’s spotless career was his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. That move was highly scrutinized, and it was the start of LeBron’s finals run. And no one except LeBron James’ inner circle knew about this decision. But one NBA Legend claims he knew about this a year before it happened.

Charles Oakley is known to be one of the best rebounders and he was a teammate of Michael Jordan. Oakley was known for his stint with the New York Knicks, and he was also known to be a defensive stopper. He is also a close friend of LeBron and he is from Cleveland. He has followed LeBron since he was a teenager and he has high praise for the King.

Charles Oakley knew what LeBron James was going a year before itself

Oakley was recently on The Old Man and The Three podcast w/ JJ Redick and Tommy. He was asked by Reddick about the decision. Oakley answers, “Yeah, I had dinner. So basically, it was the first two games of that season. So I was somewhere he called me. And he said he will be in Florida. Orlando first. Come down. I had dinner with him went out had a good time. Steak out he always show people a good time. And then the next night,… It was in Miami. So he said what you’re doing is I’m just chilling. So come on down. I say. And for the night always, you know, I’m thinking about going to Miami.”

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Oakley said he dropped a hint to Pat Riley as well. He adds,” You know what? I talked to somebody and said he might become her the next year. He said really? Yeah. So you might be playing against him tonight. So Oh, okay. He laughed at that and exactly the next year, He’s in Miami.”

Oakley was one of the few people who knew about the move and LeBron trusted him enough to tell him that. LeBron would go on to win two championships and two MVPs and he would reach the finals 4 times. His era in Miami firmly established him as one of the greatest players of all time.

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