It’s finally happening.
The moment we all knew was coming, but still the moment that didn’t seem all that possible.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing LeBron James to a four-year, $154 million contract. James is once again leaving Cleveland, but this time to play in the Western Conference for the first time in his career.
Odds are this move by James mostly comes from the desire to live somewhere nice for the next four years. Obviously every NBA player—especially one of James’ caliber—wants to win more NBA titles. But he has to be able to read the tea leaves and see he’s not going to beat the Golden State Warriors, and he especially wasn’t going to be able to do it with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
There are a few things that make this move hilarious:
- The Philadelphia 76ers scored a meeting with James. But instead of James showing up, he sent representatives. The Sixers were ready to pitch to James on why he could win a title in Philadelphia, and he couldn’t even be bothered to show up. That should’ve been sign enough that there was no chance they could land him.
- The Lakers signed Lance Stephenson, who James got into it with pretty much every time they played against each other when Stephenson was with the Pacers.
- The Lakers also signed JaVale McGee, who’s essentially a taller version of J.R. Smith, and will almost certainly disappoint James in the playoffs.
- LaVar Ball is now going to be unbearable.
Tweets of the day
When Luke Walton calls a play next year pic.twitter.com/xFR3E5MdSU
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) July 2, 2018
LaVar Ball and Lance Stephenson and LeBron James. OK.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) July 2, 2018
Greatest Lakers ranked:
— Kyle H (@kylejhartwick) July 2, 2018
15. You
14. Can’t
13. Possibly
12. Rank
11. The
10. Lakers
9. Players
8. Each
7. Player
6. Is
5. Great
4. In
3. Their
2. Own
1. Lebron James
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