• NBA

LeBron to opt out of Miami contract two years early

Chris Broussard
June 24, 2014
James has been with the Miami Heat for four seasons, winning two NBA championships © Getty Images
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LeBron James' agent, Richie Paul, has informed the Miami Heat that James will exercise his early termination option and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Opting out does not mean James has decided to leave the Heat, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the four-time NBA MVP nor the team had made any public announcement.

James had until June 30 to decide whether to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat. He was scheduled to make £11.8 million next season.

After Miami's season-ending loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the NBA Finals, James told reporters he would take a holiday with his family before considering his contract options.

James did indicate that he welcomed the opportunity to become a free agent and have the same level of flexibility he was afforded in 2010, when he signed with Miami after spending his first seven years in Cleveland.

James had two years and about £25.1m remaining on his deal with the Heat. In his four seasons in Miami, the Heat have gone to the NBA Finals four times, winning two championships.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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