The cheapest Lakers season tickets on StubHub before James’ announcement were $3,499 each. Twenty minutes after the announcement, those same seats were also the cheapest — $5,800 each. After the deal was announced, one person paid $188,781 on StubHub, including fees, for four season tickets. The seats, which are 16 rows up and one section off center, are only for regular-season games and don’t include the playoffs.
More on LeBron James Free Agency
Ramona Shelburne: This was a very hush-hush operation. Lakers knew they needed to give Bron space to decide and announce it as he wanted. None of us reporters could even confirm they’d been in touch whereas calls with Cavs & Sixers leaked. Says something on the discipline for all involved
In Cleveland, ticket broker Mark Klang, of Amazing Tickets, said he anticipated that the tickets he held for next season would lose 60 percent of their value, the same thing that happened when LeBron left Cleveland the first time to go to Miami.
Ramona Shelburne: How did the Lakers close this? Magic Johnson went to one of LeBron’s houses in LA late Saturday night and met with him for several hours.
Ramona Shelburne: The Lakers had felt a sense of urgency this week to find a co-star LeBron — either PG or Kawhi. However when Magic spoke to James late Saturday, he assured them this was a long term play and his decision wouldn’t be affected by a transaction they could make under a time pressure
Kobe Bryant: Welcome to the family @LeBron James #lakers4life #striveforgreatness @Jeanie Buss @Magic Johnson and RP well done!!!
Will Guillory: Twelve of the 15 players that made an All-NBA team last year will be in the Western conference next year. That's insane
DeMarre Carroll: I guess everybody can sign now..... since LBJ committed to the Lakers...Crazy how 1 man hold up Free Agency...😂💯💯💯
Brian Windhorst: The fourth season of LeBron's four-year deal is a player option. It is still the longest deal he's signed since 2010.
Terrence Ross: lol who’s mad i said Cavs of the West? Lemme hear it 🙉
Troy Daniels: Wow 🤦🏽♂️
Jeremy Lin: Whoaaaa....Lebron gone?!? Out the East too lol
Shams Charania: LeBron James' new 4-year, $154M agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers includes an opt out in the fourth year, league sources tell Yahoo.
Bobby Marks: Cleveland with the James departure now have $110M in salary and are over the cap. The Cavaliers have use of the $8.6M room midlevel and $3.4M biannual exception but using both would push the Cavaliers into the tax. Cleveland still has bird rights on... espn.com/espn/now?nowId…
Tommy Beer: LeBron’s IG post:
Josh Lewenberg: LeBron to the Lakers, and his streak of winning the East ends at 9 straight seasons. The Conference is more wide-open than it's been in a decade.
Adrian Wojnarowski: LeBron James has agreed to 4-year, $154M deal with Lakers, Klutch Sports says.
Shams Charania: LeBron James has agreed to a four-year, $154M deal with the Lakers.
Another option would be to waive Bayless and stretch his salary over three years. This move would allow the Sixers to immediately free up money, something they would need to do to be able to sign free-agent target LeBron James to a maximum salary of $35.63 million this coming season.
Yes, the Lakers are still favorites—but not total locks—to sign LeBron James, league sources say. For what it’s worth, some executives believe LeBron’s indecision is all theater, and he has already decided on the Lakers as his new team.
Signing Boogie Cousins could be a sweetener for LeBron. In January 2017, James called Boogie, “the best big man in our game.” LeBron’s praise of Cousins came before the New Orleans big man had suffered a major injury, but sources say he remains interested by the idea of playing with Boogie.
Sources have said that this is not an obligatory meeting with James’ representatives. The free agent is really interested in playing for the Sixers, according to the source. The forward would welcome playing alongside all-star center Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons, the rookie of the year. He’s also impressed with coach Brett Brown and the Sixers’ state-of-the-art facility. And by coming to Philly, James believes he would have a great chance to play in his ninth consecutive NBA Finals.
Jon Johnson: Per source, Sixers meeting with Lebron was not originally planned.
Sources says the Sixers are not out of James’ free agency hunt. Now, things could change if the Lakers are able to trade for San Antonio Spurs two-time all-star forward Kawhi Leonard. Under that scenerio, James would probably like to play alongside Leonard. However, sources have said that the Sixers are still in the hunt for trading for Leonard as well.
Sam Amick: Also, from the longest-of-longshots department: I'm told Houston will continue pursuing LeBron James until he makes a final decision. No known meeting, but - cap obstacles be darned - they have not waved the white flag on that front.
Marc Stein: Among the Sixers' planned top selling points to LeBron James' agent Rich Paul today: Philly believes it still has a real chance to win the Kawhi Leonard trade sweepstakes, league sources say
A high-level Philadelphia 76ers contingent is meeting with LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, on Sunday in Los Angeles, league sources told ESPN. James isn't expected to attend the meeting, which is the first significant chance for the 76ers to make case a free-agent case to James, league sources said. Ownership and possibly interim president of basketball operations/coach Brett Brown are expected to lead the meeting with James' representatives, sources said.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Philadelphia is meeting with LeBron James and his reps today in Los Angeles, league sources tell ESPN.
Denver has been in contact with James’ agent, Rich Paul, and has doggedly tried to position the team as James’ best option, the source said. Paul George’s decision to re-sign with Oklahoma City has taken a potential James teammate in Los Angeles off the board, and thus far the Lakers’ talks with San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard have gained no traction.
Chris Mannix: With Jokic and Barton on board, the Denver Nuggets will turn their attention to one more free agent: LeBron James. The Nuggets have been in contact with James's agent and will aggressively pursue a meeting.
Dave McMenamin: Cavs general manager Koby Altman spoke to both Rich Paul and LeBron James over the phone at 12:01 a.m., sources tell ESPN.
When NBA free agency officially opens at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers will not meet in person with LeBron James or his representatives, sources told ESPN. James' camp and the Cavaliers' front office have maintained a dialogue since the season ended, sources said. James' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, informed the Cavs on Friday morning that the four-time MVP would not opt in to the final year of his contract; he was scheduled to make $35.6 million in 2018-19.
A league source familiar with the Cavs' thinking told ESPN that the franchise has found it difficult to plan for its full team around James with the way he has approached his free agency, which could prompt hesitancy by free agents or trade partners to complete deals with Cleveland in the interim. Yet whatever pitfalls that might come with how James goes about his decision, the Cavs, according to the source, are still very much hoping to re-sign him.
Kevin O'Connor: DeMarcus Cousins sounds like an increasingly likely target for the Lakers on a short-term max contract now that it appears Los Angeles will lose out on Paul George, per league sources. In January 2017, LeBron James called Cousins "the best big man in our game."
Bobby Marks: The max salary for LeBron James to stay in Cleveland is $206.79M over 5 years. Signing with a new team is 4-years $153.3M.
Ian Begley: Members of an ownership group from an NBA team ran an analysis that concluded signing LeBron James could generate approximately $65 million annually for the franchise, per sources. He’s projected to sign a contract worth $35 million for the 2018-19 season.
Five-time All-Star Kevin Love remains in the Cavaliers’ plans even if LeBron James elects to leave Cleveland for the second time when free agency opens at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.
But should four-time league Most Valuable Player James depart, the Cavs intend to remain competitive and believe Love can lead a talented roster of veterans and up-and-coming young players. “The plan is not to go backwards,” one source said. That strategy would seemingly rule out major moves, such as trading draftee Collin Sexton, without knowing James’ intention for next season.
Alex Kennedy: If you're betting on LeBron James to the Lakers, you'd have to bet $5,000 just to make $100. (In other words, they think LeBron to L.A. is a done deal.)
Ramona Shelburne: ESPN producer @Jlshobar shot this of LeBron’s plane landing in LA this morning. Why is he here? Said one source, “He lives here in the summer.”
LeBron James has touched down at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, hours ahead of 2018 NBA free agency. While James owns property in LA, the timing of the visit coupled with the absence of a meeting scheduled with Cleveland suggests that his presence in the area could certainly be related to his next free-agent move.
Arash Markazi: LeBron James at Van Nuys Airport via @harmer805.
I will continue to say that James owes the Cavaliers nothing, and has nothing to fear about damaging his legacy, if he decides to leave Cleveland again, after delivering in 2016 the championship he promised. I also reject the notion that James will pick the Lakers only if Leonard or George, or both, will join him.
Remember: The most definitive thing we know so far about James’s free-agency leanings is his disclosure after the finals that family considerations will play a bigger role than they have before. If his family decides Los Angeles is where it wants to be full time, it’s not difficult to envision James making the leap with great belief that his presence will help Magic flank him with the requisite help eventually, if not immediately.
When NBA free agency officially opens up Sunday at 12:01 a.m. ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers will not meet in person with LeBron James or his representatives, sources told ESPN. James' camp and the Cavs front office has been in regular dialogue since the season ended, sources said, and James' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, informed the Cavs on Friday morning that the four-time MVP would not be opting in to the final year of his contract with Cleveland worth $35.6 million.
Paul, who represents several other players entering into free agency -- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Nerlens Noel among them -- will conduct all his business over the phone when free agency begins, sources told ESPN.
A league source familiar with the Cavs' thinking told ESPN that the franchise has found it difficult to plan for its full team around James with the way he has approached his free agency and it could manifest itself in hesitancy by potential free agent signees or teams interested in trades, from completing deals with Cleveland in the interim. Yet whatever pitfalls that might come with how James goes about his decision, the Cavs, according to the source, are still very much hoping to re-sign him because.
BR_NBA: Richard Jefferson’s shirt 😂
The Cavaliers do not intend to trade Kevin Love if they lose LeBron James in free agency this summer, and would rather try to make the playoffs than immediately begin rebuilding without their iconic star. Sources told cleveland.com this week that the Cavs would not trade Love, a five-time All-Star who is owed about $50 million over the next two seasons, if James leaves as a free agent. Sources say James is strongly considering joining the Los Angeles Lakers. "There is no reason to go backwards," one source said, describing the Cavs' situation.
If James does return to the Cavs, or signals to them that he wants to, no one on the roster would be untouchable from a trade perspective. Cleveland wants to develop its young talent -- including rookie point guard Collin Sexton -- but wouldn't pass up the right opportunity to add an established veteran with James to improve their chances of reaching another Finals, sources indicated.
The Cavs have tried unsuccessfully to engage James this summer, according to multiple sources. He has again left Paul to handle all of his communication. James has been much more proactive in past summers working with the Cavs than he has been since the Finals ended in a sweep. He recruited for the Cavs in past summers, from calling Kevin Love to join him the summer he returned to pursuing Jamal Crawford last summer. The Cavs disagreed with him on Crawford and signed Cedi Osman instead.
Two years ago, in the weeks and months after the city’s championship parade, the Cavs privately began mentioning the possibility James could leave for Los Angeles in the summer of 2018. Now it could be days from happening.
As Paul George considers the Lakers in free agency and Kawhi Leonard tries to force his way from San Antonio to Los Angeles, those around James insist trade negotiations between the Lakers and Spurs will not influence James’ decision.
Harrison Faigen: On Woj/Lowe ESPN special, Lowe says the Cavs were selling it as a win that LeBron opted out because he only would've opted in to be traded
Harrison Faigen: "I believe that the Lakers have the inside track on getting LeBron"- Windhorst on SportsCenter
Dave McMenamin: Had LeBron opted in, that would have been a bad sign for Cleveland -- it would basically have meant that his camp had a trade partner lined up. As it stands now, CLE is still in the mix. According to a Cavs source, the team's "Plan A, B & C in free agency is to keep LeBron"
Joe Vardon: LeBron James’ agent informed the Cavs he will not exercise his $35.6 million option and thus will become an unrestricted free agent, sources told @clevelanddotcom ... Story coming
James had until 11:59 p.m. on Friday to pick up the option, which would have kept him in Cleveland for at least one more season. James' agent Rich Paul notified the Cavs of his decision Friday morning. The emotional side to this is obvious, James is separating from the Cavs again (for the third time in four years) with no guarantees that he'll re-sign. Sources suggested to cleveland.com that his interest in joining the iconic Los Angeles Lakers is strong.
Bobby Marks: Not surprised by the LeBron decision. The impact is that a sign and trade (see Houston) would likely be off the table because of the hard cap and the pool of teams now shrink to a possible 3.....Cleveland, LA Lakers and Philadelphia.
Ira Winderman: LeBron James opts out of Cavs deal, seemingly eliminating Heat chances. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Forward now becomes a free agent Sunday.
ESPN Cleveland: "To me, the longer this has gone on, the more I've come to feel (LeBron) is going to stay in Cleveland for another year and do this all over again next summer." - @Tom Withers on RBS
LeBron James has until the end of June 29th to exercise his opt-in for the 18-19 season and in the interiim, there have been reports of James communicating with Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Paul George. "The LeBron operation, I don't know how else to put it, but they have basically thrown cold water and vehemently denied everything that has been out there the last couple of days," said Brian Windhorst. "They have denied that he is communicating with Kawhi Leonard. They have denied he is communicating with Kevin Durant about joining up in Los Angeles. They have denied there is a three-way conversation going on between Paul George, Kawhi and LeBron. They have denied that Kawhi being traded to the Lakers would clinch LeBron going to the Lakers. "They have pretty much denied that any of that is happening.
"Clearly, LeBron is keeping a very close eye on the Lakers. This is my read on the situation: if he opts into his contract, that it pretty much closes the door on him going to the Lakers. It doesn't necessarily guarantee that he is staying with the Cavs, but I think it's a really good sign that he will. "If he opts out of the contract, I don't necessarily think that it means he is leaving the Cavs, but I do think it bodes better for the Lakers if he does that. "There are other teams involved; obviously Houston, Philadelphia etc. But I really think this is a Cleveland or L.A. decision.
The possibility of James and Leonard teaming up with the Lakers does not appear to be directed by the two of them communicating with each other. "As for Kawhi, I have been assured very strongly that LeBron has not communicated with Kawhi, not only during this process but for a very long time. He has really not spoken to him and expressed a desire to play with each other."
A league source told GetMoreSports.com that Pat Riley and the Miami Heat should not be counted out of the equation, because the key to getting LeBron is being able to get Kawhi. And if you think Riles would not relish an opportunity to get the better of Magic Johnson, you probably did not know that Riley was drafted as a wide receiver by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1967 NFL Draft and owns the trademark to the term “three-peat.”
Alex Kennedy: Several veterans have told me they'd settle for a minimum deal with the Lakers if they land LeBron James. All eyes will be on L.A. and very few teams have cap room this summer, so they'd have no trouble adding complementary pieces to fill out the roster: hoopshype.com/2018/06/29/los…
But the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers have been pressing the Spurs to trade Leonard this week, as both teams believe that acquiring Leonard would put them in pole position to try to sign LeBron James away from the Cleveland Cavaliers when free agency starts Sunday at 12:01 a.m., Eastern time. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers are also known trade suitors for Leonard.
The stakes on these talks are enormous, because a deal for Leonard would likely clinch a free agent commitment out of LeBron James. James has until late Friday night to opt-out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is watching closely how the Lakers proceed with the Leonard talks.
As much as the Cavs appreciate Perkins as a locker room presence, the decision is simply a salary-cap ploy in order to try to aggregate the veteran center's $2.5 million salary along with an existing contract in order to pursue a trade around the league. Team sources told ESPN that the Cavs "continue to explore all options to improve" heading into LeBron James' decision about his future with the franchise.
Sean Deveny: LeBron James could sign with Lakers before roster overhaul, sources tell SN
Victor Oladipo's got the key for LeBron James to beat the Golden State Warriors next year ... and it only requires one thing from the King -- join the Pacers!! We got the Indiana star leaving TAO on Monday night -- fresh off winning Most Improved Player at the NBA Awards -- and he told us all his squad needs in order to win a ring is a little LBJ. Then, he gave us his best pitch to the NBA's top player. "If you want to win, come to Indy!!"
As was the case with Paul last summer when he forced his way out with the Clippers, it remains possible that James could opt in to his current deal and force a trade to a team like the Rockets by making it clear that he’ll opt out and leave in free agency if the Cavs don’t comply. And while Houston is considered a longshot to land James, that isn’t about to keep Rockets general manager/newly-named Executive of the Year Daryl Morey from trying. According to a person with knowledge of their situation, the Rockets are still all in on pursuing James – even if Harden made it clear that it was hardly a necessity. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
But when it comes to the question of whether the Lakers can land James, no one seems to be able to predict who might join him as a co-star. [...] So might James head for the Lakers even if he couldn’t secure another All-Star? Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma, who as a player is not bound by the same rules of tampering, made it seem like a grand idea. “That man has been in the league for 15, going on 16 years, so the only person who really knows (what he’ll do) is him,” Kuzma told USA TODAY Sports. “He’s going to decide ultimately what he’s going to do. I have no clue. But as young players, we want to be known as those types of guys as well – the (high-profile) guys they’re trying to bring in. We want to be those guys, so you know you’re always going to have that (mixed feeling). But at the end of the day, you want to win, and having one of the greatest players of all time would definitely help that – on any team.”
The specifics of James’ process remain unclear, but there’s a good chance he won’t ultimately talk directly with officials from any team. As one person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports, it might be deemed unnecessary because of all the background work Paul, fellow Klutch agent Mark Termini and their associates have done leading up to this point. Put simply, they know the lay of this land and it’s up to James to tell them which situation makes the most sense.
