LeBron James’ likely decision to exercise his early termination option and become an unrestricted free agent has sent shockwaves across the NBA.
According to reports from the US, James’ agent Rich Paul informed the Miami Heat that the four-time MVP is opting out of his contract.
James has until June 30 to officially decide whether or not he wants to play out the final two years of his deal with Miami.
Even if he opts out, however, James could still remain with the Heat by inking a new contract this summer.
Regardless of what destination the league’s best player chooses, James at the very least has the freedom to make his own call now.
“Being able to have flexibility as a professional, anyone, that’s what we all would like,” James said last week. “That’s in any sport, for a football player, a baseball player, a basketball player, to have flexibility and be able to control your future or your present. I have a position to be able to do that. There’s a lot of times that you’re not in control of your future as a professional.”
If James departs for another franchise, he would leave behind a four-year run with the Heat that produced two championships in four Finals appearances, and spurn the chance to return to a fifth consecutive Finals, which only the Boston Celtics have accomplished when they went to 10-straight showpiece events between 1957-66.
James’ decision could also be the first of a series of moves for Miami to bolster their roster for a renewed title chase.
After getting dismantled by the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals, the Heat may have already reached their peak.
Dwyane Wade’s game once again deteriorated towards the end of the season and his lack of effectiveness has robbed Miami of their once-vaunted one-two punch.
James could be putting on pressure on Wade and Chris Bosh to also exercise their early termination options so the organisation can restructure salaries to absorb another quality player’s contract.
“There’s a conversation that will be had between the three of us,” said James. “I think it’s only right. I think we’ve earned that for each other, to have a conversation and see what could possibly happen.”
The news of James testing the free-agent waters comes just days after Carmelo Anthony opted out of his contract with the New York Knicks.
There has been speculation that the Heat are targeting Anthony this summer and to do so, James, Wade and Bosh would have to take pay cuts to make the star forward’s contract fit.
It’s also possible that James and Anthony could join forces and together choose another team to turn into contenders.
As likely as a return to Miami is for James, the fact remains that the league’s biggest star is now without a team and on the open market.
The last time this scenario arose, James left his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010.
Now, Cleveland and 28 others teams are hoping for another seismic shift.
