Large parts of the NBA community are still trying to process that LeBron James will really be a Los Angeles Lakers player next season. After months and months of speculation, it all came to fruition for the Lakers, who captured the signature of the world’s greatest players after president of basketball operations Magic Johnson sat with James in a meeting that went over three hours long inside his LA home.

For Lakers and NBA fans alike, it all become very real when James showed up to the Las Vegas Summer League in stylish purple and gold shorts to support his new teammates. James took a break from his heavy summer workouts to show out in the iconic colors, but has since returned to the gym and hardwood, fine-tuning his game as training camp approaches.

It has been by far the most successful offseason for the Lakers in recent memory, as summer after summer they have been linked with the biggest names available but have fallen short of obtaining their services.

With the four-time MVP showcasing his talent inside Staples Center next campaign, it has truly turned the league upside down. James has left the Eastern Conference in which he ruled for what seemed like an eternity, and has entered the slug-fest of the Western Conference. Many believed James would never venture out West, but he has taken on this challenge as the last chapter in his illustrious and legendary career.

All of a sudden, the Lakers have catapulted back into relevancy and expectation, as any roster lucky enough to have James on it is expected to compete for championships. Although it’s unlikely the Lakers can realistically challenge the champion Golden State Warriors for the thrown in the West as currently constructed, the plan is for James to eventually lead the Lakers to at least one championship during his four-year stint in Hollywood.

In his 15th season, James averaged not only a staggering 27.5 points per game, but also posted career highs in rebounds (8.6 per game) and assists (9.1 per game). He then went on to have one of the greatest individual postseasons in NBA history that included multiple 40-point games, multiple triple-doubles, two buzzer-beating game-winners and a 51-point game in the NBA Finals. Needless to say, the Lakers are getting James still at the peak of his powers, and his excellence both on the court and off it will fast-track the development of their young core.

With the preseason schedules for each franchise being released every day, the wait to see the three-time champion is edging closer and closer. It seems as though James is ready to go for his next challenge, as he aims to lead this Lakers franchise back to the top of the NBA mountain.