LeBron James Declined His Player Option…So Now What?
ByJoey Heldon June 30, 2018inArticles›Sports News
LeBron James spent the last four years in Cleveland, but his days as a Cavalier could be numbered. James opted out of his player option, effectively making him an unrestricted free agent. As basketball’s offseason heats up, there’s one question on everyone’s mind: where will LeBron find himself?
The four-time MVP is the headliner of a major free agency class. Other big names include Paul George , DeMarcus Cousins , and Chris Paul .
James signed a three-year deal in 2016, with a player option for the third year. That final year was the option James declined. He would have made $35.6 million this upcoming season.
Instead, he has his pick of teams around the league. That includes the Cavaliers, who can offer more money than anyone else. Cleveland can offer a deal worth about $205 million over five years. All other teams can offer a max deal of four years and $152 million.
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The frontrunners to land James include the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets. However, LeBron’s options may be more limited than they seem, because they typically rely on convincing another player to join him.
For example, Chris Paul is close to signing a max deal with the Rockets, leaving Houston with limited financial flexibility to bring LeBron over. Rockets GM Daryl Morey has shown immense creativity in acquiring players before, but this move might be too complex even for him.
Meanwhile, the Lakers would likely need to land another superstar to lure LeBron. And with rumors that George might actually remain with the Thunder instead of going to his hometown Lakers, the ripple effect may find its way to LeBron.
The Lakers are also looking at trading for Kawhi Leonard , which could sway James. Unfortunately for L.A., the Spurs hold all the bargaining power in any deal. Leonard isn’t a free agent until next season, so San Antonio is in no rush to trade for him. If the Lakers can’t land Leonard, their current roster as it stands isn’t enough to compete for a championship.
The Sixers are looking into trading for Leonard, too. They’d lose a few of their supporting pieces, but a trio of Ben Simmons , Joel Embiid , and Kawhi Leonard would be formidable. If the Sixers make that trade, they probably wouldn’t be able to add James, as well.
While the common belief is that James will sign a long-term deal, he could do the same thing he’s been doing since rejoining the Cavs. With the salary cap continuing to rise, LeBron could sign a one-year contract instead. If he goes that route, he’ll make $35.4 million this year, with an option for $38.2 million next season.
No matter the final outcome, the LeBron sweepstakes will have consequences felt throughout the league. It’s going to be a fascinating summer.
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LeBron James Wants To “Break The Mold” With His Next Contract… Here’s What That Means
ByJoey Heldon January 3, 2018inArticles›Sports News
LeBron James will be a free agent this summer, which means people are already talking about where he’ll wind up. He could re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He may move out west and join the Los Angeles Lakers. Or he might form another super team, this time with the Houston Rockets.
Or maybe he’ll do something completely unexpected. After all, nobody saw him signing with the Miami Heat in 2010 or returning to Cleveland in 2014.
LeBron knows the media hangs onto his every word. He’ll throw a few tasty morsels out there every so often to stir the pot and get people talking.
“I want to kind of try to break the mold just for the next generation. Just take the narrative out of, ‘You’re past your prime when you hit 31,’ or ‘You’re past your prime in your 12th year in the league,’ or whatever the case may be,” James told Joe Vardon in an interview with Cleveland.com. “Hopefully I can break the mold so when the next guy comes, he can still get $200 or $300 million and be 33 years old. I’m serious.”
So… just what does LeBron mean by “break the mold?”
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
For Cavs fans, they’re hoping LeBron means he’ll stop signing the short-term deals that he’s done the past few years and re-sign for the long haul. LeBron isn’t planning to take a discount to sign somewhere, and he’ll make the most money by staying in Cleveland. Based on current salary cap projections, he could make $207 million over five years with the Cavs.
LeBron was set to sign the first $200+ million contract two summers ago but was foiled by a peculiar league rule that players (including LeBron) have since altered to be more beneficial to athletes. Even 15 years into his career, he’s still playing at an MVP-caliber level. Most 33-year-old players aren’t the best in the league, so LeBron’s already breaking the mold in that regard.
However, LeBron could simply be talking about changing the narrative on how older players sign their contracts. Most players around LeBron’s age will sign one last long-term contract as their careers come to a close. He may be suggesting that they don’t have to do that simply for the security – one- and two-year deals can still be fruitful.
Whatever the case may be, LeBron’s free agency will be the biggest story this summer. Just about every other move will hinge on what he decides to do. And like his other career decisions, it will reverberate throughout the league for years to come.
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