LeBron James Opts Out of Cavaliers Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James declined his player option for the 2015-16 NBA season Sunday, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. It's a decision that was expected as he seeks to maximize his contract while waiting for the league's new television deals to take effect in 2016.
Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group, citing league sources, reported Friday, "James will take a wait-and-see approach while the Cavaliers tend to their housekeeping matters."
Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan speculated on what the Cavaliers megastar will do this offseason:
Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders noted the difference in max deals between last summer, when James returned to Cleveland, and the contract the former MVP could sign after next season:
The bottom line is it's a smart financial move to ensure he's a free agent after next season.
Despite losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, James enjoyed a terrific first season back in Cleveland after a four-year journey in Miami that yielded a pair of championships. The 30-year-old Ohio native averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 assists and six rebounds in 69 games during the regular season.
Although his efficiency was down a bit—he posted his lowest field-goal percentage since the 2007-08 campaign—he remained among the best players in the league. He ranked inside the top eight in player efficiency rating, value added and estimated wins added, according to ESPN.
His contract has been a source of concern for some Cavs supporters, though. They have already watched him leave for greener pastures once before, of course. Talk about his future was particularly intense after the revamped team got off to a mediocre start.
Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group passed along comments from James at the time, trying to downplay any talk about him bolting for another squad.
"I'm here to build, build something great in the present and the future, and that's the reason I'm back," James said. "I've got no other reason to have to continue to talk about things that's so outlandish. So, I'm here, this is where I'll be, and this is where I'm comfortable."
Cleveland unsurprisingly started playing better after the group was able to develop some chemistry. In turn, talk about his contract faded.
By declining his option, questions may arise once again about his future. There have been no signs from him that he's looking to leave Cleveland again, though, and Chris Broussard of ESPN reports that he won't visit other teams this summer.
It would be a disastrous move from a public-relations standpoint. With the announcement that he was returning home in hopes of finally bringing success to Cleveland, the fans gave him another chance. James will not squander that.
The most likely outcome is him signing another two-year deal with a player option. That would allow him to capitalize on the contract rules to make the maximum next season before opting out again to receive the monster deal.
The Cavaliers just have to hope there isn't any unexpected drama along the way as the plan plays out.
