With the NBA Free Agency period starting on July 1st, there was one pending decision that was sure to garner immediate attention. Earlier today it was announced that LeBron James was exercising his early termination clause, thus making him a free agent this off-season.
The move by James should be seen as nothing more than a formality at this point. The decision to opt out gives him the option to decide what steps he would like to take in the next phase of his career. James can re-sign with the Miami Heat, or he could also take his talents elsewhere. There is no reason for Miami to panic at this point in time, as this course of action was already expected by the Miami front office.
First reported by Chris Broussard of ESPN, details and reactions from the Miami Heat organization soon followed:
“I was informed this morning of his intentions. 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 said in a statement. “As I said at the press conference last week, players have a right to free agency and, when they have these opportunities, the right to explore their options.
“The last four seasons have been historic, and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Boshand Erik Spoelstra have led the Miami Heat to one of the most unprecedented runs in the history of the NBA. We look forward to sitting down with LeBron and his representatives and talking about our future together. At the moment, we are preparing for the opportunities in the draft and free agency as we continue with our goal of winning NBA championships.”
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, James is expected to meet with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to discuss their futures with the team. Bosh and Wade also have early termination options that they can exercise to enter free agency along with James.
OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:
ESPN.com reported earlier that Ray Allen is leaning towards returning for a 19th season. Allen, who will be turning 39 on July 20, will most likely be looking
at other options besides the Miami Heat if he chooses to play next season. After playing in 73 games last season, his ability to contribute as a specialist should garner him looks from several teams looking to add a veteran to the roster.
- Sam Amick of USA Today believes that a Kevin Love to Golden State deal may possibly still have some life left in it. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Warriors aren’t keen on the idea of taking on the contract of veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin (three seasons, $21.2 million remaining) or giving up the future first-round pick that the Timberwolves are known to have asked for. (Because they owe their 2014 first round pick to the Utah Jazz, they would have to wait until the draft begins on Thursday night to trade their 2015 pick since league rules prohibit a team from owing first-round picks in consecutive years.) The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of negotiations.
Nick Young announced to the Los Angeles Lakers that he would be opting out of his contract today to enter free agency. This was first reported by ESPN.com and confirmed by Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders. “It’s true, yeah,” Young texted Basketball Insiders. “[I did it] today.” Young signed with the Lakers last off-season and averaged a career high with 17.9 points this year for the franchise. As a Los Angeles native it is not out of the question that Young will resign there, but testing the market allows him the chance to see what other teams might value him.
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