Rated R: Is LeBron James’ LRMR in Jeopardy?

Tension was indeed in the air this past weekend as two of LeBron James’ closest confidants were forced to travel in their own private jets following a brief spat.

Sources close to James confirm to WFNY that his agent, Rich Paul, and logistics and travel coordinator, Randy Mims, were involved in a brief, but heated spat when the Cleveland Cavaliers were in Brooklyn to take on the Nets. The verbal disagreement was allegedly rooted in which man is the first “R” in LRMR, the namesake-based sports and marketing firm located in Akron, Ohio.

The “L” in LRMR is that of James, the four-time MVP and 12-year veteran of the NBA. The “M” represents Maverick Carter, James’ childhood friend, manager and business partner. The two “Rs”, however, appear to be up for debate.

“Rich is LeBron’s agent and believes he should be the first ‘R’—the one closest to LeBron,” said a source, who requested anonymity due to the extreme severity of the situation. “Randy is always on LeBron’s security detail, effectively serving as his right-hand man, and believes he is the first ‘R’.”

Since its inception in the late-2000s, LRMR has signed several high-profile stars, including Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. Paul’s agency, Klutch Sports, has signed several NBA players including James’ teammate Tristan Thompson and Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe.

It is Paul, 34, who is largely credited with spearheading the process in which James returned to Cleveland in what was one of the biggest storylines in all of sports in 2014. With James on a trip with his family during the early stages of NBA free agency, it was Paul who held meetings with a handful of NBA suitors. While Paul seemed to focus more on his business relationship with James, Mims reportedly sought evidence in a 2009 commercial for State Farm Insurance wherein he and James danced like the late-1990s hip-hop group Kid ‘n Play while both men laughed at Paul’s expense.

“Randy believes that that commercial was foreshadowing of sorts in to James’ true feelings on the overall relationship,” the source said. “Had James wanted Rich to be the first ‘R,’ Randy believes they would have had him be the one who was the butt of the jokes while Rich got to take part in that super sweet heel-kick dance.”

During a period where friendship, specifically that of James, has become a high point of focus, James’ inner circle is starting to look more like a triangle.