LeBron James Becomes A Free Agent After Declining Option On Contract
CLEVELAND (CBSNewYork/AP) — LeBron James is a free agent after declining his player option for next season with the NBA champion Cavaliers.
The move was expected by James, who said last week he intends to remain with Cleveland.
"I love it here in Cleveland," he told ESPN last week. "I have no intentions of leaving. There are some technicalities to take care of I'll leave up to my agent. That's right from the horse's mouth."
The 31-year-old star has been a free agent the past three summers, electing each time to sign one-year contracts with a player option. It's not yet known if he'll sign another short-term deal or a multiyear package.
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James was scheduled to make $24 million next season.
He was named Finals MVP after he helped the Cavs overcome a 3-1 deficit and beat the Golden State Warriors. The three-time champion averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in the series. James posted a triple-double in Game 7 as the Cavs ended Cleveland's 52-year championship drought.
He's in his second stint with the Cavs after leaving as a free agent in 2010 and signing with the Miami Heat.
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