LeBron James is the best player in the NBA and he is simply invaluable to the Cleveland Cavaliers. When he decided to leave Cleveland in 2010, the Cavaliers immediately turned into one of the worst teams in the league. In contrast, once he came back to the team, they became the best team in the conference and they also won their first championship in 2016.
The small forward is a great player on both ends of the floor and he is also a leader and a competitor.
However, his time in Cleveland may be coming to an end as there's a chance he leaves the team once again. LeBron James has a player option for the next year of his contract and it is very unlikely that he will exercise it. If he does not, we might see him going to another team, just like he did in 2010.
There have been a lot of rumors surrounded James and his contract. The four-time MVP finally decided to talk about it during the media day, saying that his intentions of finishing career in Cleveland haven't changed.
LeBron comments on his future
LeBron James has already stated that he wants to finish his career in Cleveland.
While he did leave the team once, the forward said he wants to finish his career with the Cavaliers. During his latest interview, James said that his intentions haven't changed and that he still wants the same thing.
"It hasn't changed," James said when asked about it. Furthermore, he nodded when he was asked if he still intends to finish his career in Cleveland. "And that's why I sit up here today, still in this uniform, still ready to lead this franchise to a championship, put us in a position where we can be successful."
For now, it seems that the forward has no intention of leaving the Cavaliers. Things have been going well for the team recently and they have improved over the summer. If they win another championship next year, it will be very unlikely that James leaves the team.
James' contract
It is important to note that LeBron James' contract won't expire next year. He has two more years left on the contract, but he will be able to opt out of it next summer. If he does it, he will become a free agent and will be able to sign with another team.
His player option is worth $35.6 million, and if he accepts it, he will stay in Cleveland for another year. James said he will approach that when the summer comes. Until then, there is no doubt he will give his best to lead his team to another championship. Once again, they will face a tough challenge, but as long as James is on the team, they have a good chance of winning it all.