Chris Paul’s Secret Role in Telling Byron Scott About LeBron James’ 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers Betrayal

Chris Paul’s Secret Role in Telling Byron Scott About LeBron James’ 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers Betrayal

More than a decade after LeBron James’ infamous departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers, new layers continue to emerge around one of the most polarizing moments in NBA history. While “The Decision” itself shocked fans across Northeast Ohio, a lesser-known subplot involves an unexpected figure: Chris Paul. Long before LeBron officially announced his move to the Miami Heat in July 2010, Paul quietly played a role in alerting Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott that the franchise’s superstar was already halfway out the door.

At the time, Byron Scott was preparing for his first season as Cleveland’s head coach, inheriting a roster built entirely around LeBron. The organization still clung to hope that James, a two-time MVP then, could be convinced to stay. Publicly, LeBron maintained an air of uncertainty, insisting he was weighing his options. Privately, however, the tide had turned.

According to accounts that have circulated within NBA circles, Chris Paul — one of LeBron’s closest friends and a fellow superstar — felt compelled to be honest with Scott. Paul, who shared a strong relationship with both players and coaches around the league, reportedly told Byron Scott that LeBron was unlikely to return to Cleveland. The message was clear: prepare for life without him.

This revelation hit hard. For Scott, it confirmed what many inside the league already suspected but few were willing to say out loud. LeBron’s mind was made up well before “The Decision” aired on national television. The betrayal felt deeper because the Cavaliers were still operating as if they had a fighting chance, while contingency plans were largely absent.

Chris Paul’s involvement wasn’t malicious or dramatic. If anything, it was pragmatic. Paul understood the league’s inner workings and recognized the damage that false hope could cause. By quietly warning Scott, he gave Cleveland’s coaching staff a rare moment of clarity — even if the front office was unable or unwilling to act decisively on it.

When LeBron ultimately announced his move to Miami, the fallout was immediate and brutal. Jerseys were burned, Dan Gilbert released his infamous open letter, and Cleveland plunged into irrelevance almost overnight. Byron Scott was left coaching a stripped-down roster, tasked with rebuilding morale in a city that felt abandoned.

In hindsight, Paul’s warning underscores just how orchestrated LeBron’s exit truly was. While fans experienced the shock in real time, many players around the league already knew the ending. It also highlights the quiet honesty that often exists behind the scenes in the NBA — conversations that never make headlines but shape franchises for years.

Today, the Cavaliers have long since moved on, and LeBron’s legacy in Cleveland was eventually redeemed with the 2016 championship. Still, the memory of 2010 remains raw. Chris Paul’s behind-the-scenes role adds another fascinating wrinkle to a saga that continues to define player empowerment, loyalty, and the business side of basketball.