After traveling to Washington, Chicago, Minnesota, New Jersey and Utah, Devean George finally decided to stay in Los Angeles, agreeing to a four-year, $21 million deal with the world champion Lakers on Wednesday.

George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed the agreement Wednesday afternoon. George got the full mid-level exception from the Lakers -- $21 million was the most they could pay the 6-foot-8 forward. The contract includes an option for George after Year 3.

	George

"He probably took a few years less than he could've gotten elsewhere," Bartelstein said. "But this is where he wanted to be. The Lakers were his first choice."

Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed the signing Thursday.

George could've signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves or Utah Jazz for six years, according to Bartelstein.

George has spent the better part of the last two weeks trying to find a situation that would allow him to spread his wings a bit. Both the T-Wolves and the Jazz were willing to offer similar contracts to George, but in the end, George felt that the situation in L.A. suited him the best.

"One of the things I learned is being a part of a winning team and the relationship with the guys is very important to me,'' George said. "I think I turned down some more money. I wanted to be happy first.

"My teammates, they've been calling me throughout this process, wanting me to come back. I like my short summers, I don't want to go home in April, I've never experienced that. I think this is the place where I can continue to have short summers.''

The 1999 first-round pick enjoyed his best season during the 2001-02 campaign, averaging 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes a game for the Lakers. George's stock really rose in the playoffs, particularly in the NBA Finals.

Against the New Jersey Nets, George gave L.A. a spark off the bench, averaging 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds and coming up with 11 points, six boards and two blocks in 20 helpful minutes in the title-clinching Game 4 win.

"I don't feel like I'm established yet,'' said George. "I still feel like I have some ways to go. I'm going with the same mind frame I had last year, in the same role, I think.''

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.