Though he isn’t expected to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James is headed for free agency after he officially declined the player option in his contract Tuesday night. The first one is re-signing with the Cavs for $156.8 million or hooking up with another team for a slightly lower $150.4 million.
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LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA Championship in the history of the team. The picture of the two teammates hugging has since become quite iconic, as it shows the pure emotion both James and Love felt immediately after winning the championship. “I have no intentions of leaving”, James told ESPN during the Cavaliers’ championship parade. “That’s right from the horse’s mouth”. The only question is the type of contract he signs.
Lebron James averaged 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in the Finals series.
According to Zillgitt, three league sources confirmed a rule called the “over 36 rule” that would make James’ $200 million contract impossible. The 28-year-old Meeks played in only three games in 2015-16 after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in the second game of the season.
The Cavaliers hope to resign James in order to keep their core group of players intact, as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have already signed long-term deals with Cleveland. With the increasing salary cap, James will be able to sign for $27.5 million next season, which is $3.5 million more than what he would have made on the contract he signed previous year.
James’ decision to go year to year has allowed him to maintain flexibility while keeping pressure on Cavs ownership to continue to add high-quality players. But what better way to celebrate our 150th year than with a National Basketball Association championship.
For James, he could sign a two-year contract with the Cavs worth $56.3 million and likely opt out again next year and earn even bigger. Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye are under team control for two more years and Matthew Dellavedova is a restricted free agent this summer. The finals MVP will be will be set to hit the free agent market on July 1. “I mean, that’s everyone here”. The first thing I said to Griffin and Winslow after the game concluded was that we just saw history.
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James has said he will indeed return. “So it’s been a learning experience for everyone that’s been a part of it to this point, and including myself”. And my guys believe in me as their leader every, single day.
