ESPN Reveals Why LeBron James Might Stay In Cleveland
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands on the court during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 13, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
It's a big week for LeBron James. The NBA's best player has to decide by the end of the week if he's going to opt into the final year of his contract. If he opts out, free agency begins on Sunday.
No one seems to know what James is going to do, but staying put in Cleveland appears to be a very legitimate option. The Cavs have the second-best odds of anyone to land James this summer, trailing only the Lakers.
There's reason to be pessimistic about Los Angeles, too. The Thunder are reportedly growing increasingly optimistic about their chances to retain Paul George. If he ends up staying in OKC, James might be unwilling to go to the Lakers on his own.
ESPN has outlined today some reasons why James will stay in Cleveland. Here are some of the highlights:
Cavs players feel Cleveland has as good a chance as anyone
In the past week, two members of the 2017-18 Cavaliers -- a player and another staff member -- relayed to ESPN that they believe Cleveland has the best chance of any team to land LeBron.
His son, LeBron Jr., has one year to go until high school. He might want to wait to leave Cleveland until then.
James' oldest son is 13 and entering the eighth grade. James could opt out of the final year of his contract with the Cavs on Friday and sign with the Cavs on a one-plus-one deal -- the first year guaranteed with the second year being a player option -- and align his personal decision as to whether to leave Cleveland for good or not with the same time Bronny will be choosing which high school to enroll in.
Some might say that would mean the circus following James' decision for another 12 months, but when has James shied away from the spotlight? As former Cavs general manager David Griffin once put it, James "thrives on chaos."
He didn't say goodbye after Game 4
When James walked off the court after Game 4 of the Finals as the first Cavs player to make his way to the locker room, he greeted his sons with handshakes. He hugged his mother, and then he kissed his wife as he journeyed down the tunnel, but he did not stop to acknowledge or wave to the crowd to say goodbye.
Maybe because there was no need for him to do so just yet.
What do you think? Is he actually going to stay with the Cavs?
You can read ESPN's full piece here.
