LeBron James just signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and the first chance fans may have to see him in the purple and gold will be in San Diego.
The Lakers will open preseason play Sept. 30 against the Denver Nuggets at the Valley View Casino Center, according to their preseason schedule released in May.
The third installment of James’ free agency frenzy ended Sunday night when he signed with the Los Angles Lakes on a four-year, $154-million deal, as announced by his agent on Twitter.
The Lakers were among a group of suitors for James that included the Philadelphia 76ers and his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers will be looking to rebound from a 2017-18 season where they missed the playoffs, finishing 12 games under .500.
James’ signing is a signal that he believes Los Angeles could provide a better backdrop than Cleveland to defeat the reigning-champion Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have defeated James and the Cavaliers three of the past four NBA Finals.
James’ history with the Warriors also gives fans reason to get excited for a possible renewal of the Lakers-Warriors rivalry. That rivalry has been lacking in recent years because of consecutive playoff absences from the Lakers.
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It remains unclear if Lakers coach Luke Walton, who was drafted in the NBA the same year as James, will deploy his new star in the exhibition game, but it is certainly a possibility.
James played in four Cavaliers exhibition games over the past two seasons.
Tickets for the preseason opener are still available.
