Cavs Rumors: LeBron James will decline contract option with Cleveland, but plans to re-sign another one-year deal with Cavaliers.
When LeBron James left the Miami Heat to re-join the Cleveland Cavaliers, he didn’t really give a full commitment as the NBA superstar only signed a one-year, $20.64 million dollar deal with an option for the following year.
That clause apparently won’t be exercised as LeBron James will decline his contract option at the end of the season, this according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Though, Cavs fans can breath a sigh of relief because as bad as that sounds, it’s only because James wants a contractual raise and plans to sign another one-year deal with a option attached.
All of James’ rhetoric — and his business relationships — leave the strong indication that he would not (or reasonably could not) leave Cleveland in free agency again. But he is widely expected to decline his player option on his current contract and negotiate a new one-year deal with a player option.
Because the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is expected to be renegotiated after the 2015-16 season, it’s a pretty smart move on James’ part as he’ll not only put himself in line for a raise but he’ll also be in position to opt-out of his deal when the new CBA is agreed upon, allowing him to make as much money as possible.
