“The Mailman” confirms that he intends to sign with the Lakers.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Free agent Karl Malone, the NBA’s second-leading all-time scorer, committed Thursday to join the Los Angeles Lakers, giving them a lineup with four superstars.

Larry Miller, the owner of the Utah Jazz with whom Malone has played since 1985, said he had spoken with the forward on Thursday and Malone confirmed he intends to sign with the Lakers.

Malone joins Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and another newcomer, Gary Payton. Payton, a nine-time All-Star who agreed earlier this week to sign with the Lakers.

Even though Malone and Payton have agreed to come to Los Angeles, the first day free agents can sign contracts is Wednesday.

Malone, who turns 40 on July 24, made it to the NBA Finals twice, in 1997 and 1998. Both times, the Jazz lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago coach was Phil Jackson, now coach of the Lakers.

Malone averaged 20.6 points last season to lead Utah for the 17th consecutive year. His average of 7.75 rebounds was the team’s highest for the 18th straight year.

His agent, Dwight Manley, said Malone also was considering going to San Antonio or Dallas, but when Payton decided to go to the Lakers, that alone would have made them the favorite for the league title next year. Malone, who is taking a big pay cut to come to the Lakers, said that his prime goal was to win a championship.

His 36,374 career points trail only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387. The record is still within range, but sharing the offense with Bryant, O’Neal and Payton will cut into his 25.4 career scoring average.

Malone, who made $19.3 million last year, reportedly will get the veteran’s minimum salary of $1.5 million to have a shot at an NBA title with the Lakers.

The 34-year-old Payton, dealt by Seattle to Milwaukee at last season’s trading deadline, would be limited to earning $4.9 million with Los Angeles in the first year of a multiyear contract. He earned $12.6 million.

O’Neal will make $26.5 million this season and Bryant will get $13.5 million.

One of the league’s best defensive guards, Payton has averaged 18.3 points and 7.4 assists since coming into the NBA with the SuperSonics in 1990.

With a lineup of four players who all will probably end up in the Hall of Fame, the Lakers will be one of the NBA’s most imposing teams ever.

“It looks like they’re putting together an All-Star team over there,” New Jersey Nets guard Tamar Slay said. “That’s crazy, getting all those guys. In this league, everyone’s competitive, but it looks like they’ve made a major step.”

The 1984-85 Lakers featured Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Bob McAdoo. Boston had Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and Robert Parish the following season.

AP-ES-07-10-03 1927EDT