"I've got rejected a lot" - LeBron admitted many superstars have said no to joining him over the years

“I’ve got rejected a lot” – LeBron admitted many superstars have said no to joining him over the years originally appeared on Basketball Network.

The best player in the world had trouble convincing others to join him.

That’s the part of LeBron James’ career that is not often mentioned when his legacy is laid out. But in 2018, James admitted what many had already begun to see — his recruiting pitch hadn’t always worked.

“I’ve always recruited,” James said. “I’ve been trying to get guys to come play with me since, like, 2007. I’ve got rejected a lot. But I’ve also not got rejected a lot.”

The comments came during his first season in Los Angeles, one that unfolded under a cloud of frustration. Bron had just joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018, hoping to establish a new chapter and bring others with him. However, the superstar who once convinced Chris Bosh to leave Toronto suddenly lost some of that influence.

Rejection started in Cleveland

James first entered the recruiting game during his years with the Cavaliers. Cleveland’s lack of appeal to top-tier stars became a regular topic. LeBron knew that was a hurdle. He made overtures to Joe Johnson and Michael Redd. LBJ tried to get Bosh to leave Toronto for Cleveland. None of them bit.

“A lot of people didn’t want to come to Cleveland,” James said. “Let me just throw that out there. I tried to recruit so many guys to come to Cleveland, and we actually had — I had — a couple guys, and it just didn’t work out.”

Back then, the city itself was part of the challenge. James had the game, but the roster and market weren’t enough to sway others. Even with the four-time MVP’s star power, players looked at Cleveland as a hard sell. Some were intrigued. Others listened. But very few signed.

Things changed in Miami.

A different story in South Beach

James’ run with the Heat from 2010 to 2014 was built on influence. Not only did he arrive with Bosh and join Dwyane Wade, but Miami’s environment made it easier to sell. Veterans took pay cuts. Role players were eager to sign.

“It wasn’t hard getting guys in Miami, I’ll tell you that,” James said. “So now that I think being in L.A., I don’t think it would be that hard to get guys here.”

When he joined the Lakers, Bron thought Los Angeles would sell itself. However, his first summer was a shock. Paul George chose to re-sign in Oklahoma City, even after years of saying he dreamed of playing for the Lakers.

James then turned his sights to Anthony Davis. The two shared an agent. They vacationed together. Bron began lobbying publicly. AD wanted to leave New Orleans. LBJ believed a trade would happen quickly. It didn’t.

The Pelicans kept Davis until the summer of 2019, and in that window came another setback. Kawhi Leonard chose the Clippers. It was the second straight summer that a star had passed on joining James in Los Angeles.

By the time AD finally arrived, Bron’s recruiting track record had become a real storyline.

King James still had a title to chase. He still had L.A. But he had also been reminded of something that had followed him for more than a decade: that being great didn’t mean everyone would follow.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

“I’ve got rejected a lot” – LeBron admitted many superstars have said no to joining him over the years

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