LeBron James is taking his talents to the City of Angels.
James has agreed to a four-year, $154 million deal with the Lakers, Klutch Sports Group announced on its Instagram page, leaving Cleveland for the second time in his career. The Decision 3.0 ends months of speculation as to where James will sign.
“Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible 4 seasons. This will always be home,” James posted to his Instagram story.
James indicated he would become an unrestricted free agent when he turned down his $35.6 million option with the Cavaliers on Friday.
The Lakers were the favorite to land James entering the start of free agency, with the 76ers viewed as another viable option. James reportedly met with the 76ers earlier Sunday before announcing his decision through his agent Rich Paul’s sports agency.
The Lakers reportedly closed the deal after president Magic Johnson visited James at one of his Los Angeles houses late Saturday night and met with him for several hours, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
James leaves Cleveland after being swept by the Warriors in the NBA Finals, the Cavaliers’ second straight loss in the NBA Finals to Golden State, dropping his finals record to 3-6.
He started all 82 regular season games, the first time he accomplished the feat in his 15 years, averaging 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds. He finished second in MVP voting behind the Rockets’ James Harden.
By signing with the Lakers, James leaves a substantial amount of money on the table, as the Cavaliers reportedly could have offered him a five-year, $205 million deal — the richest contract in NBA history.
The four-time MVP and 14-time All-Star now joins a young core in Los Angeles featuring former No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball and former first-rounders Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma.
Shortly after agreeing to terms with James, the Lakers also later added veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal, James’ former adversary Lance Stephenson, who agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, and big man JaVale McGee, who agreed to a one-year, minimum deal, according to ESPN.
Former Laker Kobe Bryant appeared to be ecstatic with James’ decision, texting ESPN’s Shelburne: “I LOVE IT!”
The move strengthens an already dominant Western Conference, with the Warriors, Lakers and Rockets all boasting at least one MVP.
With James’ $35.65 million cap hit, the Lakers now have $13.5 million in cap space once all free-agent cap holds are released, outside of Julius Randle, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Lakers have also reportedly been engaging in trade talks with the Spurs regarding the disgruntled Kawhi Leonard to pair with James. Leonard played just nine games this past season due to an ongoing hamstring injury.
The Lakers were previously targeting Paul George as well, but missed out on the All-Star forward after he elected to return to the Thunder.
After losing out on James and previously trading Kyrie Irving last offseason, the Cavaliers will now undergo a complete rebuild, with trading Kevin Love a possibility.
The Cavaliers took Alabama’s Collin Sexton eighth overall in this year’s draft, the pick — which originally belonged to the Nets — they acquired from the Celtics as part of the Irving trade.
The Lakers will become the third team James has played for in his 15-year career. He was selected by the Cavaliers with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft and stayed in Cleveland for seven seasons before leaving for Miami.
James stayed in Miami for four seasons, two of which ended with the Heat winning it all, before going back to his hometown team. He ended Cleveland’s 52-year title drought in 2016.
