LeBron James agrees to 4-year, $154M contract with Lakers
The King is heading to Hollywood.
LeBron James has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $154-million contract, his agency Klutch Sports Group announced. The fourth year of the contract is a player option, sources told Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania.
The 33-year-old point forward leaves his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers after averaging 26.1 points, eight assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game over four seasons. James led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season.
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He reportedly did not meet in person with the Cavaliers when free agency commenced at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1, though he is said to have spoken with his former general manager, Koby Altman, shortly after the window opened. James was spotted at a Los Angeles airport on the eve of free agency.
The arrival of the generational talent suggests the Lakers may not be done this offseason. The current roster is largely built around recent blue-chip draftees - 2014 No. 7 pick Julius Randle, 2016 No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram, and 2017 No. 2 and No. 27 picks Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, respectively - rather than established veteran talent. Some of those young players could be moved in a possible trade to acquire a second All-Star-caliber player.
The Lakers have long been tabbed as the preferred trade destination of San Antonio Spurs wing Kawhi Leonard, and the Spurs are reportedly engaged in trade talks with both the Lakers and Boston Celtics with regard to the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Free-agent center DeMarcus Cousins, who's recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, is expected to schedule a meeting with the Lakers, as well.
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But if recent history is any indication, James' presence likely elevates the Lakers to contender status by his own gravitational pull alone. The 14-time All-Star has appeared in the last eight NBA Finals as the representative of the Eastern Conference and nine of the past 12 Finals overall, coming away with the 2012 and 2013 titles with the Miami Heat and the 2016 title with the Cavaliers.