Sports

LeBron agrees to 4-year, $154 million contract with Lakers

02 of July 2018

FILE - In this June 6, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James shoots against Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green during the first half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals, in Cleveland. The Philadelphia 76ers are getting a chance to pitch their process to LeBron James. Representatives from the team will meet Sunday with James’ agent Rich Paul in Los Angeles, a person familiar with the get together told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. James, who returned to Los Angeles from vacation on Sunday, July 1, 2018, before NBA free agency opened, will not take part in the meeting, the person said. (Gregory Shamus/Pool Photo via AP, File),FILE - In this June 6, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James shoots against Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green during the first half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals, in Cleveland. The Philadelphia 76ers are getting a chance to pitch their process to LeBron James. Representatives from the team will meet Sunday with James’ agent Rich Paul in Los Angeles, a person familiar with the get together told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. James, who returned to Los Angeles from vacation on Sunday, July 1, 2018, before NBA free agency opened, will not take part in the meeting, the person said. (Gregory Shamus/Pool Photo via AP, File)

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James is signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time to join one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.

James’ agency made the announcement Sunday in a release, saying he has agreed to a four-year, $154 million contract. The game’s best all-around player and biggest star will now lead a young Lakers team that has been overmatched in recent years while rebuilding but will instantly rise with James.

Los Angeles also provides James with a larger platform for his business interests and social activism.

This is the third time in eight years James has changed teams. He returned to the Cavs in 2014 after four seasons in Miami.

The 33-year-old had previously said he wanted to finish his career in Ohio, and although he’s leaving home again, Cleveland fans are more forgiving after he ended the city’s 52-year sports championship drought in 2016.

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