LeBron James is going, going to Cali, Cali.
James’s agency Klutch Sports announced earlier tonight that The King has signed a four-year, $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. After LeBron’s team took meetings with the Philadelphia 76ers, and his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, he ended up confirming the worst kept secret in the league this offseason.
LeBron took to Instagram after the news was revealed to thank Northeast Ohio for “an incredible 4 seasons.”
LeBron’s willingness to ink a multi-year contract with the Lakers speaks volumes about his comfort level playing for the Buss family, and president of basketball operations Magic Johnson. Throughout his time with the Cavaliers, LeBron stayed true to signing one-and-one deals because he never wanted to give the upper hand to owner Dan Gilbert at the negotiating table.
With the Lakers, LeBron is operating with a team that is still very much a work in progress. The organization is trying to fast-track Kawhi Leonard’s arrival to L.A., instead of waiting for him to sign with them after next season. The team is kicking the tires on the idea of having DeMarcus Cousins sign a short-term deal.
There’s so much time before LeBron steps foot on the Staples Center floor for his first game as a Laker. Until then, people around the NBA just want to talk about how James really took the huge step of taking his talents to the Lake Show.
