(6/28/16 UPDATE): According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, LeBron James will decline his player option and become a free agent.
LeBron James will not exercise his player option with the Cavs for next season, according to agent Rich Paul. Deadline was Wed @ midnight
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 29, 2016
On 7/1, James becomes free agent for 3rd straight year. Tho James said he'll return 2 Cavs, Paul gave no timetable for signing of new deal
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 29, 2016
With huge salary cap increase, James is eligible for max salary of roughly $30 million. Exact amount not known until July 7
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 29, 2016
(Original story from 6/22/16):
LeBron James future is not as crystal clear as you think. ‘The King’ is fresh off winning his third NBA Championship and third NBA Finals MVP award but this time, it was special. He won one for ‘The Land’, LeBron won this NBA Championship for Cleveland. He led the charge behind the Cavs ending the 50-plus year drought championship drought and LeBron was very emotional after he capture the title.
Despite LeBron winning the championship, his future isn’t quite as clear. Since LeBron decided to come back in 2014, he’s signed the “1+1” deals or the two-year deals with the second year player option. It gives LeBron the power to opt-out when needed, if a better opportunity arrives and it also allows him to continuously make more money.
So with LeBron having a decision to make soon, it appears he’s already leaning one way.
Chris Broussard said the following today on ‘Mike & Mike in the Morning’
"What I'm being told by people close to LeBron is that he's staying in Cleveland."
– Chris Broussard pic.twitter.com/hJHAJX9SSg
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) June 22, 2016
‘The King’ is not expected to participate in Team USA’s Olympic endeavors this summer so his focus could turn back to the Cavs. Working to make himself and his team better, improving their chances to repeat. It’s a good business decision not just for himself but for his team.
Last year, LeBron opted out and quickly re-signed with the Cavs, he knew he ad unfinished business. This summer, well he fulfilled his promise and make it happen for Cleveland. Would LeBron dare leave the Cavs? Only he knows but some believe after winning this title, it could be easier for him to skate out of Cleveland and go to the next warm location willing to host ‘The King’.
UPDATE:
Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reports LeBron James has told him he will return next season.
Not that it should come as a surprise, but LeBron James fully intends to return to the Cavs to defend the NBA championship they just won next season.
“I love it here. I love being here. I love my teammates,” James told cleveland.com, moments before he boarded a float at The Q for the Cavs’ championship parade through downtown Cleveland. “Obviously my agent will take care of all the logistical things but, I’m happy. I’ve got no plans to go nowhere at this point.”
But James fully intends to lead the defense of the first championship in franchise history, and the first by a major pro sports team in Cleveland since 1964. He’s been blown away emotionally by the outpouring of support from Cavs fans over the past few days, and, lest ye forget, he was born in Akron and just delivered a title to the region where he’s lived for 27 of his 31 years.
“This is the happiest time in my life right now,” James said.
