LeBron James drop player option, will become free agent without restriction



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CLEVELAND – LeBron James will not pick up the player option in the final year of his contract with the Cavaliers and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to ESPN and several reports.

James had until 11:59 pm. AND Friday to inform the Cavs of his intentions before the expiration of the option.

The decision will make the MVP four times the head of a class of agents without star parachute that includes Paul George, Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins, among others

L & # Free agency starts at 00:01 ET on Sunday, and the balance of power in the NBA could change if James chooses to leave Cleveland and create a new superteam with the Los Angeles Lakers or join a thriving powerhouse like the Houston Rockets or Philadelphia 76ers. Free agents can not sign contracts until July 6th.

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James played the role of freestyle player twice – in 2010, when his contract was concluded with Cleveland and he chose the Miami Heat, and in 2014, when he exercised 39 early termination option in his heat contract and returned to Cleveland. He also waived his contract with the Cavs in 2015 to sign a new "one plus one" contract and then relinquished his contract in 2016 to sign a new contract with a two-year warranty and a player option for [19659002] This third season – worth $ 35.6 million for 2018-1919 – is the option that James is in the process of declining.

According to Bobby Marks, director of ESPN Front, Cleveland can offer James a more lucrative deal than any other team – a five-year contract of up to about $ 207 million. Any other suitor can offer a four-year pact worth $ 152 million.

Should James sign a shorter one – to – one deal in Cleveland in order to give himself the chance to explore the free agency again this summer? from 2019 – his compensation for 2018-1919 would be $ 35.4 million, and 2019-20 would rise to $ 38.2 million as an option year.

James, 33, is coming off one of his best campaigns as a pro in the 15th season. He played all 82 games for the first time with an average of 27.5 points (his best since 2009-10), a career high of 8.6 rebounds per game and a career high with 9.1 assists. per game while shooting 54.2% on the field. 19659002] He followed in the playoffs averaging 34 points, 9.1 rebounds and 9 assists while shooting 53.9 percent. The Cavs advanced to the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season and were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

James finished second in the MVP vote, amassing 738 points, behind James Harden of the Rockets (965).

In the days leading up to James' withdrawal decision, the Lakers have jockeyed for positioning in the race to get the triple champion by increasing trade negotiations with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire all -Favorite from Kawhi Leonard, reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

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