The biggest domino of the NBA offseason fell on Sunday night as ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported via his twitter account that 4-time MVP LeBron James had agreed to sign a 4-year, $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. James spent the last four years as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and led the Cavs to an NBA Title in 2016, which marked the city of Cleveland’s first championship in 52 years.
LeBron James has agreed to 4-year, $154M deal with Lakers, Klutch Sports says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
In the wake of LeBron’s announcement, the Lakers re-signed guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and added free agents Lance Stephenson and Javale McGee. Stephenson is best known for his ability to visibly irritate LeBron, which he famously did as a member of the Indiana Pacers in 2014 by blowing in James’ ear and dramatically flopping throughout the series.
Current and former Lakers players were ecstatic about King James’ move to LA and showed it on their twitter accounts shortly after the news broke.
LAKESHOWWWW. @KingJames let’s go my brotha💪🏽 let’s rock
— kuz (@kylekuzma) 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
Wow…..😈😈😈
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 2, 2018
Welcome to the family @KingJames #lakers4life #striveforgreatness @JeanieBuss @MagicJohnson and RP well done!!! 🙌🏾
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 2, 2018
I am sure the Lakernation is rejoicing The acquisition of LeBron James means that the Lakers are just a smidgen away from being real contenders. Congrats to @MagicJohnson & @LALakersLive et al. Cross your fingers for news from San Antonio.
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) July 2, 2018
Contrary to how it seems, the Lakers weren’t the only team to make big news on Sunday, though. The Houston Rockets re-signed PG Chris Paul to a 4-year, $160 million max deal. SF Paul George, who many thought would bolt to the Los Angeles Lakers, announced that he was staying put in Oklahoma City with a 4-year, $137 million contract. And to no one’s surprise, reigning back-to-back NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant inked a 2-year, $61.5 million deal to stay with the Golden State Warriors.
