According to ESPN, after the Brooklyn Nets small forward declined a 4-year contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers in favor of a 3-year, $81.3 million + $10,000 weekly bonuses agreement, the Cleveland Cavaliers officially secured his services and officially announced the franchise returning because of…
ESPN REPORT: Nets Star Declines Lakers’ 4-Year Deal, Signs with Cavaliers in Blockbuster Free Agency Move
In a stunning twist during a high-stakes NBA offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers have officially secured the services of a marquee small forward previously with the Brooklyn Nets, following his decision to decline a longer contract offer from the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN, the star forward opted for a 3-year, $81.3 million deal with Cleveland, which includes $10,000 in weekly performance and leadership bonuses, favoring the Cavaliers’ rising momentum, team chemistry, and franchise vision over the glamour of Los Angeles.
The decision marks a significant win for the Cavaliers, who have now bolstered their wing depth with a versatile, playoff-tested scorer and defender as they aim to push deeper into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. This signing is not just a personnel move—it is a symbolic return to a franchise that has been quietly building a powerhouse post-LeBron era, and it’s clear the player sees Cleveland as a serious contender for the near future.
While the Lakers were reportedly offering a 4-year deal worth north of $100 million, sources close to the situation say the small forward was drawn to the Cavs’ core of young talent—including Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley—as well as the stability of the front office and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s clear role for him in the system.
“This decision wasn’t about the money,” the player said in an official statement released via the Cavaliers’ social media. “It was about fit, legacy, and winning. I see something special happening in Cleveland, and I want to be part of it. This team is hungry, focused, and built the right way.”
Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman praised the signing as a “culture-defining moment” for the franchise. “When an elite-level player chooses Cleveland over some of the biggest markets in the league, it says a lot about who we are and where we’re going,” Altman said. “He brings leadership, playoff experience, and the kind of two-way play we need on the wing.”
The weekly $10,000 bonuses—tied to defensive effort, locker room leadership, and community involvement—further emphasize the player’s commitment to impact beyond just the box score. It’s a creative incentive structure that Cleveland believes will pay dividends both on and off the court.
NBA analysts have widely praised the move, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst calling it “a turning point in how stars are starting to view Cleveland—as a real destination, not just a stopover.” The Cavaliers are now considered a top-three contender in the East heading into the 2025–26 season.
With the ink dry and the announcement official, fans in Cleveland are buzzing with excitement. The franchise has not only added a major piece but has also sent a loud message to the rest of the league: the Cavaliers are no longer rebuilding—they’re ready to win now.
