The Los Angeles Lakers have made several moves to please LeBron James over the past four years, potentially giving him more control over the organization than Kobe Bryant ever had.

"As important as Bryant was to the Lakers, sources inside the organization have long said that not even the legendary Black Mamba wielded as much power within the organization as James now has," Bill Oram of The Athletic reported.

James and his agent Rich Paul were driving forces behind the Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis, while the offseason trade for Russell Westbrook came after general manager Rob Pelinka "yielded to James' management instincts," according to Oram. 

LeBron is reportedly still upset the Lakers were idle at the trade deadline, failing to improve a squad that sits 27-31 after the All-Star break.

"The situation is tense enough that one source close to the Lakers likened it to the early days of a war," Oram reported.