Should Mavericks go after free agent LeBron James?
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:33 pm
LeBron James will opt out, become free agent
By James Herbert | NBA writer
LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, has told the Miami Heat that the superstar will exercise his early-termination option and become a free agent this summer, as first reported by Chris Broussard of ESPN and confirmed by Sam Amick of USA Today.
This, of course, does not mean that James has any plans of leaving the Heat. It just means that it is an option. James is "determined to impose pressure on Miami" to improve his supporting cast, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. He was reportedly unhappy with how the franchise elected to amnesty Mike Miller last year and not add anyone of value to the team.
Let's not overreact here, though. It is James' right to become a free agent, and it gives both him and the team flexibility. It could even result in him taking a pay cut, depending on if Heat president Pat Riley can convince other free agents to come to South Beach. If James wants to, he can sign a new deal for the exact same salary he would've made had he opted in. He has all the leverage in the world, and it's only logical to use it.
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