With LeBron James signing his four-year, $153 million deal, the future Hall of Famer is officially a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. James joins their stellar cast of Hall of Famers and legends, including former player and now president of basketball operations Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who along with general manager Rob Pelinka, made the acquisition possible and were on hand to witness the historic signing.

On Monday, the team sent out a press release, and Johnson didn't mince words, immediately hailing James as the undisputed best and how his presence would translate to immediate success for the post-Kobe Bryant Lakers.

“LeBron is special. He is the best player in the world. He loves to compete and is an awesome leader who is about winning and making sure that his teammates are successful. The Lakers players are excited to have a teammate who has been to nine NBA Finals. It’s a huge step closer to returning the Lakers to the playoffs and to the NBA Finals.”

Article Continues Below

Pelinka echoed the same thoughts about creating a winning culture and promises that James is only the beginning.

“When LeBron James – a perennial NBA MVP and champion who is playing at the most astonishing levels of his career – chooses to join the Lakers, it serves as the ultimate validation for what we are building here. However, we all know that the work is not yet done. We will continue forward and do all that is necessary to achieve our shared obsession of bringing banner No. 17 to the world’s best fans – Lakers Nation.”

The Lakers brass is in constant communication with the San Antonio Spurs for a Kawhi Leonard trade, and the franchise hopes to pair the disgruntled forward with James, although talks have cooled down in recent days. Either way, the team appears to be still looking for pieces to surround James and make an early push for the playoffs.