Lebron James will career with the Miami Heat could be over after his agent, Rich Paul, told the Heat James will enter free agency when it begins on July 1.
ESPN NBA Insider Chris Broussard broke the news:
LeBron James' agent Rich Paul has told Heat LeBron will exercise early termination option
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 24, 2014
James had until June 30 to either opt out of his final two years with the Heat or remain with the team. He had $42.7 million left on his contract that he signed in 2010, according to ESPN New York.
After losing the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs, James hinted at a possible departure.
“Being able to have flexibility as a professional, anyone, that’s what we all would like,” he said. “That’s in any sport, for a football player, a baseball player, a basketball player, to have flexibility and be able to control your future or your present. I have a position to be able to do that. …There’s a lot of times that you’re not in control of your future as a professional.”
Miami’s other two ‘Big Three’ stars, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, also have early termination options for this summer, but it is unknown what they will do, according to the AP. They have until June 30 to make the decision.
Since Miami’s ‘Big Three’ teamed up in 2010, they have won four Eastern Conference titles and two NBA championships.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, James could join Shaquille O’Neal as the only players to lead their teams in total points scored in the NBA Finals and then play for a different team at the beginning of the next season.
NBA free agency begins on July 1.