LeBron James‘ agent Rich Paul has informed the Cavaliers that James won’t exercise his $35.61MM player option for the 2018/19 season, reports Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. As a result, James will reach the open market as an unrestricted free agent this Sunday.
While the move ensures that James will be free to sign with any team that can afford him next week, his decision isn’t necessarily bad news for the Cavaliers. LeBron’s only realistic path to joining certain over-the-cap teams would have been via an opt-in and trade. Becoming an unrestricted free agent will make it extremely challenging for potential suitors like the Rockets or Heat to find a way to acquire him.
James’ decision looks like good news for teams with cap room, such as the Lakers and Sixers, who will have the opportunity to sign the four-time MVP outright. Los Angeles could have enough cap space for two maximum-salary free agents, while Philadelphia would have to make a roster move or two – likely involving Jerryd Bayless – to create the room necessary to offer LeBron a maximum-salary contract, which is currently projected to start at $35.35MM.
[RELATED: Taking A Closer Look At LeBron James’ Future]
As for the Cavs, they remain in the mix for James since they hold his Bird rights, which allow them to go over the cap – and into the tax – to re-sign their star forward. Cleveland is the only team eligible to offer LeBron a five-year contract, which would be worth a projected $205MM+. James could sign a four-year contract with another team, though in recent years he has shown a preference for shorter-term deals that allow him to maximize his flexibility.
With James now on track to officially become a free agent on Sunday, the real fun is set to begin. The Lakers and Sixers, LeBron’s top two non-Cleveland suitors, are said to be considering strong pushes to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs. While San Antonio won’t rush into a deal involving Leonard, L.A. and Philadelphia reportedly believe that trading for Leonard would improve their chances of winning the LeBron sweepstakes, so both teams could be aggressive in the coming days.
For what it’s worth, Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports reported on Thursday that Leonard has reached out to James to express interest in playing alongside him. According to Schultz, Kawhi pointed out that his defensive ability would alleviate the pressure on LeBron on that end of the court.
Even if the Lakers don’t land Leonard, the team’s cap flexibility makes L.A. an intriguing landing spot for LeBron, with Vardon reporting that James’ interest in joining the Lakers is “strong.” The Lakers are considered a serious suitor for free agent forward Paul George, and have a strong young core of players if they want to target another veteran star in a trade.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
oh boy sure seems like its the lakers for sure.
Where you been for 6 months, another planet?
YES! Uranus
I am hoping he opted out because he wants to sign the 5 year max with the cavs.
BUT as much as he hates TRUMP I think he will cut ties with Gilbert and I find that dumb but what do I know.
Disgusting innuendo. But to each his own.
LeBron is done with the Cavs. His obligation has been fulfilled and it’s time to move on.
By the way, Kyrie recently reiterated that the earth is flat.
Uranus is still round though.
Good riddance, let them deal with his drama, the be lucky to get out of the first round. Isoball does not work in the West
Is this the least surprising news of the year? The last 5 years maybe?
Going back to Miami Baby!!!
Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full. Miami does not have the requisite cap space.
Would have to be a sign and trade, at this point, which would involve the hard cap coming into play, which is super unlikely. I could still see the Heat being in on Kawhi though. I just think Philly is the favorite in that situation
Watch LeBron just say screw it and go to a totally random team like Indy, Brooklyn, Charlotte or Sacramento. That would be hilarious!
Seriously…watch him choose somewhere like Dallas on a reduced contract.
Dallas wouldn’t be a bad idea. Doncic and Smith Jr can both make plays and score the ball, Lebron could make that team pretty lethal.
Plus versatile wings like Barnes and Matthews
LA, Philly (w/Bayless trade), or Cleveland. His buddy Brain Windhorst said that it was only those 3 a week or so ago.
No way he doesn’t go to LA. Especially if LA can get Leonard.
He’ll go if the Lakers get PG?
He has said regardless if they get Kawhi or PG. He has said over and over this is about what is best for LeBron Jr. and the family.
L LeBron
A and George
K Kawhi too
E enter a 3rd guy
R restricted FA perhaps
S surprise surprise, been saying it for 6 mos.
Warriors will still beat that Laker dream….
Lebron plus George plus Leonard is 3. You have no cap for a 4th.
Why is this a surprise? He now can sign another 1+1 with Cavs for more money than his option was…..
if that is the case why did he just announce it earlier ?
Has he ever done that? No…..He has a big ego and loves the attention….
If this is what he is going to do, he likely told Altman what he wants done and said I won’t sign unless you do this.
James probably did say that, but it’s not really a threat like that. More like, can you build the roster, get somebody who can take the pressure off me.
And Altman would be like, sure, in a couple of years. And James says, I’ll get back to you then, after I sign a 1+1 with _______.
The Cavs have no cap room to sign free agents, and like ESPN is reporting today they aren’t having any success attempting to make trades because they don’t have assets anybody else wants. They’ve been saying the Cavs have no chance at Kawhi because they don’t have the assets. Brian Windhorst has been saying LeBron will make an announcement around July 3, so it should be soon.
He would have actually made more thos year by opting in. His contract for this year was higher than what his max will be
I was going to say that. Good point.
is it possible he just locks into the max contract with Cleveland ?
It’s possible but unlikely…..even though this is the last year he can sign a 5 year SuperMax deal with the Cavs since he’s 33
Phoenix Suns would be a great fit. It’s always been known that LeBron loves Gilbert AZ and has a house in nearby Chandler.
Neon must have close to five or six houses
It’s just eliminates Houston, and some of the other bizarre scenarios. Still Lakers, Cavs and Philly, although it’s really hard to see the latter. It would have shocking if there were an opt in decision with no real noise, as would have required a deal to be arranged without LBJ talking to anyone except (separately) a player from the target team and then the Cavs.
Houston is not technically eliminated from signing James…
(Stretching Anderson and Nene puts them right at the line, and Onauku would be easy to dump if necessary. After that, the owner has been positive about resigning the rest of the team over the cap.)
However Houston may have been eliminated in effect when he gave his family members sayso. Also, can Fertitti be trusted in his first year?– it would be a big bill.
ESPN is reporting the Cavs don’t have the assets to make trades and aren’t having any luck pursuing them. I doubt Kawhi will be traded by Sunday. Been said LeBron would go to L.A. without Kawhi. Cleveland.com asks what LeBron’s speach leaving 2nd time will be like. Clutch Points says LeBron has paparazi every where, and Kawhi doesn’t like them. Who wants LaVar, I mean Lonzo? Him and LeBron can’t share the ball.
Pure speculation about his speech…
Lebron will say, I’ll put in a good word about Ohio State to Bron Jr, and the crowd (of reporters?) will applaud and forgive. He will say he will not get lost in lalaland and remember home and the crowd will say awww.
Lebron has 3 years tops to see out his adventure.
LeBron Jr. will never go to college. LeBron has said he wants to play against him in the pros.
It really comes down to LA and Cleveland. He can leave if he wants, he got that banner hanging. Honestly his best chance to win going forward is to go to LA and see the stars they attract over the next 2 years.
It would be an adventure to see what builds in LA, surely an attraction for him now, with obligations discharged.
Moreso at this point than joining other stars, since he has done that before.
If he wants LeBron Jr. to go from Sequia Canyon High School to the pros, be active in his production company, and be available for his sponsors. LeBron saw in game 6 vs. Indiana that without him and Love, the Cavs stink. He’s the best player in the game now. He is intelligent. He knows nobody wants his supporting cast. He’ll have Kawhi in another year, plus Ingram, Kuzma, and Hart. Love will be leaving. The Lakers will be better than the Cavs. LeBron is smart enough to know this.
You think his best chance is going to LA in the West going up against Houston and Golden State in the playoffs. Over a 50+ win team in Philly that could potential have Simmons, Embiid, Leonard, and James all starting? I think that lineup with either Reddick or Saric is just as lethal as Golden State’s starters.
Simmons and LeBron don’t fit. Simmons can’t shoot and LeBron has to have the ball. Golden State will win until they break up.
Lol LeBron – Houston was your only shot at another title. Have fun in LaLa land and good luck with your acting.
If he goes to Philly they’re the favorites, telling you right now. Only Warriors can play with that team if it stays healthy.
“I sure didn’t see that coming!”
…said pretty much nobody anywhere.
LeBron to LA…the Sparks not the Lakers.
Lebron wants to go to the finals, not happening with the lolakers.
Considering his team has been in every finals since 2011 that wont be an issue.
Sixers or The Cleveland Show part 2. Unless the LAL can get a dream team with KL and PG
I have no clue it if works with the cap but is there a chance both Kawhi and Lebron could go to the sixers this year and then leave for LA together the year after? If the reposts are true that Kawhi reaches out to Lebron about playing together maybe they play in Phi for a year and then go to la together after. Again not sure if it works with he cap but it would be interesting if it did.
It look like the lakers, and Paul George and others! The NBA and TV rights. Look like Eastern Conference will become little league in NBA.
Who can blame the big players for wanting to go west, I would too. Best part of the country to live.
This guy is the face of the nba?!?!? I wonder if Mike ever tried to obtain the best competition. Yes , I know it is a different time, does that give that guy a pass? No, keep chasing.