LeBron James reportedly opts out of Cavaliers contract, becomes free agent

(Image credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

published 29 June 2018

Cleveland's golden child is on the market.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James is reportedly declining his $35.6 million option with the team to become an unrestricted free agent, sources told Cleveland.com. James' agent apparently informed the Cavaliers of his decision Friday morning, meaning James can start discussing new contracts Sunday.

Several sources say the Los Angeles Lakers' historic legacy has piqued his interest, though it's not guaranteed James will leave the Cavaliers. He's opted to become a free agent three times in the past four years and still stayed on the team, Cleveland.com notes. The Cavs can now offer James a five-year contract of $207.4 million, while other teams can only give him up to $152.3 million for a four-year contact.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.