And after much speculation the LeBron James sweepstakes are over. The King is leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and headed to the Los Angeles Lakers on a contract worth $154 million over four years, according to Klutch Sports Group. The deal has an opt-out after the fourth year.
Before free agency started, it was said that LeBron’s news would come early, to give teams to craft a roster around him or make more moves to accommodate him.
LeBron James has agreed to 4-year, $154M deal with Lakers, Klutch Sports says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
Sources: As trade talks have unfolded, Kawhi Leonard’s focus is unchanged: He wants to be a Laker. https://t.co/0wZGf5MrNt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
Welcome to the family @KingJames #lakers4life #striveforgreatness @JeanieBuss @MagicJohnson and RP well done!!! 🙌🏾
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 2, 2018
Y’all really thought he was gonna pass up the greatest city in the world… #TheKingIsHere 👑
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) July 2, 2018
The fourth season of LeBron's four-year deal is a player option. It is still the longest deal he's signed since 2010.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 2, 2018
The Lakers had felt a sense of urgency this week to find a co-star LeBron — either PG or Kawhi. However when Magic spoke to James late Saturday, he assured them this was a long term play and his decision wouldn’t be affected by a transaction they could make under a time pressure
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2018
How did the Lakers close this? Magic Johnson went to one of LeBron’s houses in LA late Saturday night and met with him for several hours.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2018
His second tenure in Cleveland ends after four years and one championship. He brought a title back to The Land in 2016, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit against the Golden State Warriors to do so, in what could be his biggest achievement.
Will the Lakers go all-in on Kawhi Leonard and trade the young core for him and pair him with King James in the City of Angels? Will they sign DeMarcus Cousins to bring more firepower?
It’ll be interesting to see the moves L.A. makes to put talent around LBJ.