LeBron Finally Catches Michael Jordan, Signs $100 Million Deal With Cavs

Now that LeBron James is officially returning to the Cavaliers, fans in Cleveland can sleep a little easier at night. That, and he’s found another way to put Michael Jordan comparisons to rest.

On Thursday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst announced that LeBron will sign a three-year deal with the Cavaliers to the tune of $100 million. For the first time in his career, LeBron will be the highest-paid player in the NBA next season with a whopping $31 million to his name. He’ll also surpass Jordan as the highest-paid player in a single season in 2017-18 when his salary exceeds $33 million. Not only that, LeBron’s $100 million contract is worth more than Jordan made in total from the Bulls and Wizards during his entire NBA career.

The deal hasn’t been signed yet, according to ESPN, but LeBron is expected to put pen to paper next week when he returns to Cleveland for his annual LeBron James Family Foundation. Even so, LeBron put any last minute doubts to rest by announcing his decision on Bleacher Report‘s “Uninterrupted” while wearing his famous Kermit-kissing-the-Larry-O’Brien-Trophy hat that almost broke the Internet in the NBA Finals.

“I just want to let y’all know, man, I’m re-signing back with the Cleveland Cavaliers — my hometown team,” said LeBron. “I can’t be more excited than this opportunity once again, man, to defend our crown, you know, defend our title. We all know last year was a magical, inspiring — all the words you can come up with. It was an unbelievable season.”

While he was at it, LeBron also used the opportunity to remind the Cavaliers that J.R. Smith is still a free agent and in need of a deal, so we can probably assume Smith will be next once he’s done honeymooning in Amsterdam.