The Lakers have reached a deal in principle with Mike Brown to take over as their new coach.

The deal is worth approximately $18 million over four years, with the final year a team option.

The Lakers released a statement Wednesday confirming the team’s hopes to make Brown the successor to Phil Jackson.

Brown, the defensive-minded coach who took the 2010-11 season off after being fired by the Cavaliers last summer, was believed to be the front-runner for the Golden State vacancy as well.