LeBron James has decided to become a free agent rather than exercising his $35.6 million option to stay under his current contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers for one more year, according to two people familiar with the decision.
James’s agent, Rich Paul, notified the Cavaliers of the decision on Friday morning, according to the people, who were not authorized to discuss the decision publicly. Cleveland.com first reported James’s intentions.
James had until Friday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern to decide whether to play out the final year of his current contract, which would have delayed his free agency by one year.