Sunday afternoon is a surprising time for important NBA news to drop, but there are no days off in today’s world, and the Association is no exception. Earlier today, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that (extremely LeBron James Vine kid voice) LeBron James will opt out of his contract.
LeBron James has notified the Cavs he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent, sources told ESPN
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 28, 2015
James is planning to re-sign with the Cavs but will wait and see how the team's free agency plays out over the first weeks of July.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 28, 2015
While it is, and always has been, most likely that LeBron will be back in Cleveland next season, this decision to opt out does give other teams a chance to make a pitch to get him to jump ship again. Surely many teams will be keeping a close eye on this situation in the event something strange happens and LeBron starts taking other offers seriously.
One team, we’re told, that will be monitoring things very closely, is Friendly Bounce. Sources close to the situation, as well as sources familiar with the situation have both independently confirmed that Friendly Bounce WILL offer LeBron James a max contract.
Whether or not he pays any attention to it at all remains to be seen, but Friendly Bounce has thrown their hat into the LeBron James free agency ring.