Is LeBron Taking His Talents From South Beach?

24 Jun, 2014

LeBron James told the Miami Heat that he will exercise an early termination option in his contract and become an unrestricted free agent in a move the team said was “fully expected.”

Opting out of the final two years of his contract does not necessarily mean the four-time league Most Valuable Player is leaving the star-studded Heat team he led to NBA championships in 2012 and 2013.

“We fully expected LeBron to opt-out and exercise his free agent rights, so this does not come as a surprise,” Heat President Pat Riley, who said he was informed of James’s decision earlier on Tuesday, said in a statement.

“We look forward to sitting down with LeBron and his representatives and talking about our future together.”

James, who was due to earn $20 million next season, had until June 30 to decide whether to head back to free agency.

By joining the free agent pool that is open for business starting July 1, James created a level of intrigue over his future plans.

The decision allows James to explore other options besides negotiating a new deal with the Heat team he led to four successive NBA Finals appearances since joining them as a free agent in 2010 after seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wade and Bosh, who also have early termination options, have not yet told the Heat or publicly revealed whether they will join James as free agents.

Reuters 

Image Ronald Martinez

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