Speculation over James as free agency looms
Superstar playmaker may opt out of contract
Free agency for eligible NBA players begins today, with Cleveland’s LeBron James and Kevin Love drawing plenty of attention but LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol more likely to make a move.
Media reports citing unnamed sources say that James, the superstar playmaker who powered the Cavaliers into the NBA Finals, has told the team he will opt out of his contract, as Love has reportedly done.
Situations often become murky because while clubs can start making offers to players today, no deals can be signed until July 9, so confirmations often come long after deals begin settling out.
James is a free agent for the third time in five years after leaving Cleveland for Miami, spending four seasons with the Heat that brought two NBA titles, and then opting last year to return to the Cavaliers.
This time, James is expected to re-join Cleveland after much talk about his devotion to his home region and his vow to end Cleveland’s 51-year major sports title drought.
But opting out gives James leverage in making sure the Cavs are as good as their word about spending on free agents to keep the team a title contender. And don’t expect this to be the last time James opts out of his contract. He is expected to sign with the Cavs again for $22 million (Dh80.78 million), only a boost of $400,000 over what he would have made had he not opted out.
But next year, when a new TV deal boosts the NBA salary cap, James could see his salary jump to $32.4 million by opting out. And the following year, opting out could boost James’ pay cheque to $40.7 million.