There are three more years left on the contract LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat, but he can opt out of the deal next summer, creating the same kind of craziness there was around his potential free agent status three years ago, leading to the over analyzing of every thing he says about the subject.
Even if James means nothing by any recent comment he makes, he knows what kind of buzz it creates. In a world where celebrities and among them star athletes don’t need to interact with fans and the general public through the mainstream media, it seems like anything posted on Instagram, twitter or Facebook is some sort of hint or clue with a hidden meaning, as if the world of the NBA can be compared to a Breaking Bad episode, in which every camera angle probably means something the creators want to say about the world.
James did an interview with Men’s Week Magazine, in which he shed some light on where he wants to live, not play, in the future. But obviously, it’s easy to understand how that can be misinterpreted.
I miss the slower pace back home but have grown used to my new city’s little perks like fresh fish and sweet fruit. It will definitely be someplace warm. I don’t want to go back to cold winters.
There are three theories about James’ decision (this time with a lot less unnecessary flair) in about 10 months.
- He stays with the Miami Heat, which is the most likely decision. He might opt out of his contract just so he can sign a bigger deal, but the Heat have at least one more title run in them, and LeBron James believes in Pat Riley’s ability to keep finding the right players to keep this machine going.
- The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of cap space clearing up. They’re planning on re-signing Kobe Bryant, but they should have enough money for one superstar, be it LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. It makes sense that as always, the Lakers’ plan is to go as big as possible.
- There’s the Cleveland Cavaliers. The hate for LeBron James has diminished, and most Cavs fans wouldn’t mind seeing James coming back to where he started. Once someone becomes a champions, apparently it makes it easier to like him again.
The Cleveland option should be off the table. The Lakers as well. There are other team around the league, but none of the cap-space issues will matter if LeBron James feels that he has a chance to continue competing for titles with the Miami Heat. The Lakers offering a chance to play with Kobe Bryant isn’t such an alluring option as it might sound.
James loves being in the spotlight in a city that offers plenty of exposure opportunities like Miami, plus the great weather year round. Some might take his words about winter as a hint that he might be considering Los Angeles, but it simply doesn’t make sense to leave the money he can make with the Miami Heat, not to mention the titles, if things go well this season and the era of the big three doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.