THE Los Angeles Lakers got their man yesterday when they signed LeBron James to a mouthwatering $154 million deal over four years.

James is a “four-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA finals MVP, 14-time NBA All Star and two-time Olympic gold medallist” and arguably the best player in the NBA right now, if not of all time.

The move is most likely to help James try to defeat the mighty Golden State Warriors, as he did back in 2016. A triumph seemed to be a century ago now with the Cavs winning only one of the four times the two teams have met in the final.

As a thank you and farewell gift to James, the Cleveland Cavaliers will retire his jersey and No 23 to honour what he did and the success he has brought to the team.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said: “A championship that united generations of Clevelanders, both living and passed.

“Virtually anyone with roots in Northeast Ohio paused and felt the memories of the past and the utter joy that the burden of the so-called ‘curse’ was finally a thing of the past. 

“Cleveland, Ohio was the home of a championship team for the first time since 1964. Words do not express the meaning and the feeling this accomplishment brought to the people of Northeast Ohio.

“None of this would have happened if LeBron James did not agree to come back home and lead the Cavaliers to the promised land,” Gilbert added.

“The entire Cavaliers franchise thanks LeBron for that precious moment and for all of the excitement he delivered as he led our team to four straight NBA Finals appearances.

“LeBron is a family man first. We wish his kids, his wife Savannah, his mother Gloria, and LeBron himself nothing but the best in the years and decades ahead. 

“LeBron’s connection to Akron, Cleveland and all of north-east Ohio will most certainly endure as his commitment to the region and his support of many important causes has been impactful to so many kids and families.”