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LeBron James Reportedly Opts to Become Free Agent: Latest Details, Reaction
As a free agent, LeBron can put pressure on Heat ownership to commit to spending more to build roster. Opting in, he couldn't do it as well.
9:44 AM - 24 Jun 2014
95 Retweets 20 favorites
The Miami Heat forward was due $20.59 million for next season, which could have been his fifth with the club. James' six-year, $109.83 million contract carried early termination options for both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
Speculation about James' potential departure has run rampant for much of the season. Almost half the league will have significant cap space this summer, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers. James will lead a free-agent class that also includes friend Carmelo Anthony, though it's far more surprising to see the four-time NBA MVP's name on the open market
"At this point, I cant," James told NBATV in February, when asked if he could see himself leaving the Heat. "At this point, I cant. We dont know what can happen from now to July, so what Ive been able to do this whole season to this point is just worry about whats at hand, and thats winning another championship."
While understandably worrisome, James opting out far from ends his Heat career. Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, Miami can offer him a five-year maximum deal worth roughly $127.7 million. Other teams are limited to a four-year pact maxing out at $94.8 million. That $33 million can make all the difference, even for someone of James' financial means.
As Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick points out, opting out merely allows James to assess his options.
As a free agent, LeBron can put pressure on Heat ownership to commit to spending more to build roster. Opting in, he couldn't do it as well.
9:44 AM - 24 Jun 2014
95 Retweets 20 favorites
The Miami Heat forward was due $20.59 million for next season, which could have been his fifth with the club. James' six-year, $109.83 million contract carried early termination options for both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
Speculation about James' potential departure has run rampant for much of the season. Almost half the league will have significant cap space this summer, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers. James will lead a free-agent class that also includes friend Carmelo Anthony, though it's far more surprising to see the four-time NBA MVP's name on the open market
"At this point, I cant," James told NBATV in February, when asked if he could see himself leaving the Heat. "At this point, I cant. We dont know what can happen from now to July, so what Ive been able to do this whole season to this point is just worry about whats at hand, and thats winning another championship."
While understandably worrisome, James opting out far from ends his Heat career. Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, Miami can offer him a five-year maximum deal worth roughly $127.7 million. Other teams are limited to a four-year pact maxing out at $94.8 million. That $33 million can make all the difference, even for someone of James' financial means.
As Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick points out, opting out merely allows James to assess his options.
