NBA superstar LeBron James is headed to Southern California.
The perennial NBA All-Star will be signing a four-year, $154 million deal with the storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise, likely ascending one of the NBA's most prominent franchises out of their recent struggles.
The announcement was made by James' management agency Klutch Sports on Sunday evening.
James officially became a free agent on Sunday after four years playing for the Cleveland Cavs. While with the Cavs, James led them to four NBA Finals appearances. The Cavs stunned the Golden State Warriors in 2016 to win the NBA title after trailing by a 3-1 margin in the best-of-7 series.
James, a native of Akron, Ohio, which is just 25 miles south of Cleveland, was drafted by his next door team in 2003. In seven seasons with the Cavs, James only played in one NBA Finals, being swept by San Antonio
He then made a controversial announcement in 2010 to join the Miami Heat, and create a super squad with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The announcement was devastating not only for the Cavs, but for all of Northeast Ohio, prompting fans to burn their memorabilia.
While James' Miami Heat went to the NBA Finals in all four years while he was there, winning a title twice, the Cavs failed to make the playoffs.
He then announced in 2014 that he was "coming home." This was despite a fractured relationship with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.
Now the biggest question is who might join James in Los Angeles. One target for the Lakers is Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, who still has a year left on his contract in San Antonio.
To say the least, James' future teammates in Los Angeles were excited by the announcement:
Y’all really thought he was gonna pass up the greatest city in the world... #TheKingIsHere 👑
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) July 2, 2018
LAKESHOWWWW. @KingJames let’s go my brotha💪🏽 let’s rock
— kuz (@kylekuzma) July 2, 2018
