LeBron opts out of contract to become a free agent

[jsmithj88]

how is it being "greedy" to maximize ones value?
any1 here ever turn down a raise because u didnt want to be greedy?
u think MJ is taking a paycut even though hes worth a billion?

[LearningTree]

Controls the coach, controls the roster, plays in the worst conference in NBA history. LeBron's response? "No can win. Need more All-Stars."

[meader99]

how is it being "greedy" to maximize ones value?
any1 here ever turn down a raise because u didnt want to be greedy?
u think MJ is taking a paycut even though hes worth a billion?

Depends on what's important to you. Can't have it both ways. You want titles or to make the highest possible salary you can in the NBA? Keeping in mind the money he makes in endorsements trumps his NBA salary. If he chose to give up a few million, he could probably win more titles. If he chooses to max out, I don't want to hear the crybabies whine about how he "has no help."

[jsmithj88]

Depends on what's important to you. Can't have it both ways. You want titles or to make the highest possible salary you can in the NBA? Keeping in mind the money he makes in endorsements trumps his NBA salary. If he chose to give up a few million, he could probably win more titles. If he chooses to max out, I don't want to hear the crybabies wen about how he "has no help."

superstars are going to make the max
they cant complain when management puts shitty teammates out on the court?
so KD and westbrook cant complain about losing harden?
KG deserved to have his career wasted in minny?
kobe should keep his mouth shut when he was dragging bums to the playoffs when shaq was traded?
dirk losing years on his prime when cuban got cheap
come on dude ....

[meader99]

superstars are going to make the max
they cant complain when management puts shitty teammates out on the court?
so KD and westbrook cant complain about losing harden?
KG deserved to have his career wasted in minny?
kobe should keep his mouth shut when he was dragging bums to the playoffs when shaq was traded?
dirk losing years on his prime when cuban got cheap
come on dude ....

If KD and Westbrook wanted harden, they should have given up money. Isn't that what wade did to get lebron and bosh to Miami? You really brought up Kobe? Kobe didn't want shaq on his team. Kobe wanted all the credit. Did you think they could replace shaq? And no, lebron can't complain about the talent on the floor because he's the gm.

[edawg]

LeBron will retire a Cavalier. Guy is a complete drama queen but actually not a bad dude considering his upbringing and everyone with their hand out from early in his life.

[Art Vandelay]

Not going anywhere. Just a formality to resign a new contract. Non-story...

[TwoWays]

Lebron as good as gone. This is just a necessary step to leaving clev

[tony_come]

Kobe and Lebroom will be teammates

-lakers

[Iwinyourmoney]

Without a doubt he will be a Cav.

But this feels so similar to Miami.

Ops out. Everyone and their mom says he's staying in Miami.

Then bam he gone

[TwoWays]

LeGone

[ThaTopMoron]

if he leaves CLE i will never post again...

not like you care, or me...

he's not goin no WHUR

[TwoWays]

Word on the street via windhorst, is that LeLeaving and Love hangin in Los angelas. Great place to sign around an exciting young core.

[titanium777]

Nothing to see here

He's only playing for a one year Max deal just like K Love before they both sign insane contracts once the new TV deal kicks in @ 2016

You're probably right. Although, I'm not so sure K Love is more valuable to the team than even Timothy Mozgov..

[Robber]

He should have decision part II

[Snowball]

LeBron will own the Cavs someday.

[slacker00]

Word on the street via windhorst, is that LeLeaving and Love hangin in Los angelas. Great place to sign around an exciting young core.

Yes, there's a "limbo" aspect to all of this. I wonder if they could do a one-and-done in LA and then back to CLE.

[jjgold]

opting out means nothing men its a drama move

most re sign

[SharpAngles]

Fkn braindead brokediks in this thread.

The man is positioning himself to make the highest amount possible while he's in his prime, which everyone with a brain knew has been coming since he signed with the cavs in the first place. You're all really upset that Dan Gilbert will make less money? F him and his predatory company!

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

I saw an article saying that this was likely so Lebron could "secure the highest salary to provide more financial security in his years after basketball."

Dude makes ~$70 million a year. I think he will be okay.

Only $35 million after taxes

[Ra77er]

Yea I agree with Mo. How much money does the guy really need to give 100% on the basketball court?

[kidcudi92]

all you have to do is not be a fuckking idiot when you make that much a year and you will be fine after basketball. plus have a yacht, multiple houses, the ability to whatever the fuckk you want.

source: a legend of the game who played when a 3 million dollar contract was a huge one

[SharpAngles]

Bunch of communists here or something? Welcome to America and our capitalist society. Here you get paid what you're worth, not "enough" to be comfortable.

How about your boss comes in and tells you that you don't really need that much money per check and decides to give you "enough" to pay your bills? You wouldnt like it so why should lebron be ok with that scenario?

[Ra77er]

Myself and my wife give 110% effort when we do things, to include work. Everyones expectations on what they are worth is irrelevant. If you truly enjoy something you give it your all regardless of money. If Lebron loves the game of basketball but has monthly bills of 2 million, then he needs to make a choice in life on what his priorities really are imo.

Sharp you are a good poster pal but I do not like this greed angle.

[kidcudi92]

Bunch of communists here or something? Welcome to America and our capitalist society. Here you get paid what you're worth, not "enough" to be comfortable.

How about your boss comes in and tells you that you don't really need that much money per check and decides to give you "enough" to pay your bills? You wouldnt like it so why should lebron be ok with that scenario?

you think Lebron is just making enough to pay his bills?????? do whaaaaaaa...not really the scenario here

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

Anothet way to look at it:

If one of, if not the, best player in the world is paid at a discounted rate, isn't this unfair to other teams?

If a number of too players agree to get together through free agency and get paid less than they are worth relative to their basketball contributions, doesn't this put other teams at a serious disadvantage?

By not demanding the highest possible salary, so called "big 3" teams like KG Boston and Lebron Miami are making the league less competative and results in a have and have-nots scenario that is so ubiquitous in the NBA.

[SharpAngles]

Where did Lebron indicate he would work less if he got paid less? Pretty sure those words were put into his mouth by some brokedik here.

And to imply Lebron is greedy is plain stupid. He's widely known as the most generous teammate in sports.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/08/lebron-james-showers-his-teammates-with-gifts/

No one was more excited about their gift than J.R. Smith. He has a player option for next year and it sounds as if James’ giving spirit could play a part in his decision-making process.

“I don’t know how he does it, but everyday it’s something different,” Smith said with a laugh. “Watches, sneakers, Beats [Headphones], hoodies, book-bags. Man, I can’t wait to come back next year. I want to see what we’re getting next year.”

Brendan Haywood also issued a comment on James’ kindness by offering a unique compliment.

“Look, LeBron is probably the greatest player in the world who gives out gifts like it’s candy,” he said. “We look forward to it every single time.”

[Ra77er]

Interesting twist Mo however if we support Lebron in "maximizing" his value in an effort to cripple a teams finances to add more starpower then we are setting the precedence for any future great players to do the same. Kids cannot cheer for their hometown teams because of greed. If the Hornets drafted Lebron, I know that I couldn't even buy my son a Lebron jersey or even a poster for his room because I know he will bolt the second the Lakers come calling. It's why the NBA sucks and we have 6-7 top teams and everyone else is hot garbage.

[Ra77er]

Sharp I give out points on this forum everyday to strangers, that does not mean I should call SBR on live chat and demand 24 points per day because I'm a nice guy. I don't buy drinks or dinner for friends and then hold my boss hostage for more money so I can continue to do that.

[SharpAngles]

Sharp I give out points on this forum everyday to strangers, that does not mean I should call SBR on live chat and demand 24 points per day because I'm a nice guy. I don't buy drinks or dinner for friends and then hold my boss hostage for more money so I can continue to do that.

Forget what the moneys for, he probably gets most of that stuff for free, you should do like Lebron if your work is worth what he brings to the Cavs. Why should your boss, or in Lebrons case Dan Gilbert, earn ridiculous money off of your sweat and pay you the same salary as someone not on your level? Are you saying Lebrons place on the following list is acceptable? If I was him I'd lmao before answering hell no!

1	Kobe Bryant	LAL	$23,500,000	$25,000,000					Bird Rights	$48,500,000
2	Amar'e Stoudemire	NYK	$23,410,988							$23,896,658
3	Joe Johnson	BRK	$23,180,790	$24,894,863					Bird Rights	$48,075,653
4	Carmelo Anthony	NYK	$22,458,000	$22,875,000	$24,559,380	$26,243,760	$27,928,140		Bird Rights	$96,136,140
5	Dwight Howard	HOU	$21,436,271	$22,359,364	$23,282,457				Cap Space	$43,795,635
6	Chris Bosh	MIA	$20,644,400	$22,192,730	$23,741,060	$25,289,390	$26,837,720		Bird Rights	$118,705,300
7	LeBron James	CLE	$20,644,400	$21,573,398					Cap Space	$20,644,400
8	Chris Paul	LAC	$20,068,563	$21,468,696	$22,868,828	$24,268,960			Bird Rights	$64,406,087
9	Deron Williams	BRK	$19,754,465	$21,042,800	$22,331,135				Bird Rights	$40,797,265
10	Brandon Roy	POR	$19,317,326							$19,317,326

[Ra77er]

Excellent table Sharp. The only problem is this is exactly what people do in everyday life even at McDonalds. People worry too much about what everyone else is getting and not enough about themselves. Lebron should focus on winning rings if he loves the game of basketball not getting paid more than everyone else. When he decides to focus on himself and stop letting good agents like Sharp fill his ear up, he very well may be the goat.

[SharpAngles]

The real GOAT is Chris Boshs' agent. I knew Bosh got paid but had no idea he took advantage of the Heat like that

[jjgold]

Man there's not much difference from the top player to LeBron is $3 million is nothing as he makes out off the court 10 times over

[Ra77er]

The real GOAT is Chris Boshs' agent. I knew Bosh got paid but had no idea he took advantage of the Heat like that

Cheers Sharp

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

Bosh probably losing money off court investing in Papa John's before he decided to give away all those pizzas after Peyton Manning threatened him with a stale baguette.