LeBron James will now feature on his third NBA team after agreeing a four-year, $154 million deal to join the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.The King has chosen to finally play in the Western Conference after spending his entire 15-year career in the east with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.This was always going to be a wild free agency class and it hasn't disappointed so far in just a couple of days.
A seismic shift
LeBron's move to the west completely alters the landscape of the league as it now means the east has become wide open.
The four-time MVP made the finals in eight straight seasons in the Eastern Conference but he felt the time was right to leave.
He couldn't turn down the bright lights of LA and the lure of playing in one the biggest markets for a storied franchise.
There aren't many players who could turn down an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and play for the Lakers.
Kawhi Leonard is currently attempting to force a move away from the San Antonio Spurs as he also wants to represent the purple and gold.
But the glitz and the glamour of Tinseltown doesn't appeal to every player in the league.
One man who will never be tempted to make the move to Hollywood is Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In an appearance on The Herd with Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd on Monday, the Greek Freak was asked if he'd ever leave Milwaukee if the Lakers came calling and his answer was unequivocal.
“To be honest with you, no. No way. I like finishing the stuff that I have with Milwaukee," he said.
“My goal is to win in Milwaukee, bring a championship in the city, and make the team a lot better. So I would never leave for L.A.”
Loyalty is in his DNA
The two-time All-Star has continually stated how he prides himself on loyalty and has no plans to ever leave the Bucks.
He underlined this when he signed a four-year extension in 2016 with no player option, showing that he has no intention of ever opting out.
Giannis may be playing in a small market but it hasn't hurt his commercial endeavours off the court as he's one of the best players in the league.
On Monday he was confirmed as the cover athlete for NBA 2K19, becoming the first ever international player to do so.
LeBron's departure now opens up a debate about who the best player in the east is. Skip Bayless of Fox Sports tweeted that the title now belongs to Joel Embiid.
But Antetokounmpo took exception to this and said he'll use it as motivation to prove he deserves to be considered as the best.
There's no doubt that the 23-year-old will only get better and Bucks fans will be happy to witness him carve out a Hall of Fame career in Wisconsin as he has no plans to represent any other team.
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