NBA
LeBron James Decides To Join The Los Angeles Lakers
After much speculation, LeBron James shocked the entire world on Sunday evening. According to multiple sources, James has decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers again and join the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal is a four year, $154 million contract. The contract also will have an opt out clause in the fourth year.
James joining the Lakers is the biggest free agent signing and acquisition in Lakers franchise history. This move should also increase the motivation of the President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson, who’s smiling from ear to ear, to trade for San Antonio Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Won’t Be A One-And-Done Deal
The move by James is also a big deal because this isn’t a one-and-done deal. It symbolizes that James has planted his flag in the ground. He’s now going to spend the rest of his career in a Lakers uniform. It also will lead to the Lakers being able to get good role players to want to join their team for less money.
After striking out in free agency the past five seasons, the Lakers have finally landed their big fish. James should be commended for this move because he’s telling the world that he’s ready to embrace the challenge of being a Laker. This is what Jeanie Buss brought Magic Johnson in for in February 2016. The goal and focus has always been on the summer of 2018.
The most ironic thing about this is that most thought Paul George, who chose to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, would sign with the Lakers. That didn’t happen, but the Lakers organization had James in mind all along. James has always been the number one guy they’ve been wanting to pursue to get the franchise back to their winning ways. As a result, there is no doubt that the focus now will be to add talent around James.
The Lakers can either trade for Leonard or can trade for players who have expiring contracts. That would enable them to add salary that will come off the books after next season. They also can elect to keep guys like Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart and wait to land another star next summer. The ball is definitely now in the Lakers court with James on board. Now, it’s looking like Lakers basketball is officially back.
