The decision ends James’ second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won four straight Eastern Conference championships and one NBA title (2016) after he he left the Miami Heat to return to his native Ohio in 2014. The Akron native James also played for the Cavaliers from 2003-10.
» LOOKING BACK: James in the NBA Finals | Photos of James through the years
“Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible 4 seasons,” James wrote on Instagram. “This will always be home.”
James, 33, will play in the Western Conference for the first time for a franchise that has suffered five straight losing seasons. The Lakers finished 35-47 last season.
The 2018-19 season will be James’ 16th season in the NBA. He has scored 31,038 points in his career. He ranks seventh in NBA history.
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James announced Friday he would not exercise his $35.6 million contract option to play for the Cavaliers next season. He became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. According to a report by ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers met with James' representatives on Sunday. They were among the teams in the mix to sign James, along with the Cavaliers.
— Klutch Sports Group (@KlutchSports) July 2, 2018
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