Sports writers and pop culture followers have anointed LeBron James with a slew of royal monikers: The Chosen One, The King, NBA Champion. One name that had, for a time, been synonymous with the basketball superstar is now back again: The Decision.
If that reference flew over your head, let us explain: In an ESPN special called “The Decision,” James sat with broadcaster Jim Gray inside the Greenwich, Connecticut Boys and Girls Club in July 2010 and announced that he was “taking his talents to South Beach.” In other words, he was joining two other superstars on the Miami Heat after seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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In the four seasons since then, the Heat have appeared in four NBA finals, winning two. It’s been widely reported this week that James has opted out of the final two years of his contract — forfeiting roughly $42.7 million — and forcing him to make another decision: Once the NBA free agency period begins on July 1, where will he take his talents this time?
James may well stay in Miami. He’s able to re-sign with the team or he can opt to sign with another team for less than the maximum salary so he can be surrounded by other star players.
The Washington Post used Spotrac data to determine that six teams can currently afford James without making additional salary cap moves: the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
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James’ wife, Savannah, has added to speculation that he will return to Cleveland with an Instagram post showing a rendering of Ohio with Akron in bold letters. The caption said: “Home sweet home!! The countdown is real! #330.” ESPN reported that the post is a reference to the couples’ plans to visit their hometown (and 330 is the area code for Akron).
Although James has become the eloquent, engaging face of the NBA, he has been unable to entirely shed the self-centered stigma that came with the spectacle of his last Decision. He has an opportunity now to undo some of that enduring damage — and still make millions in a new contract.
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James’ choice to leave Cleveland for Miami wasn’t solely about money. He said it was about winning. James was willing to take slightly less money when he signed with Miami in order to make sure the team could also sign Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and this past season he was just the ninth-highest paid player in the NBA.
His latest decision to test free agency seems rooted in the same approach, and that could be reflected in James’s being willing to take a bit less money to help his chosen team still fit under the NBA’s $62.3 million 2014-15 salary cap. He still makes plenty from endorsements, and winning would only fuel that further. Sports Illustrated’s Fortunate 50 list puts James’s income last year at $56.5 million, including $39 million from deals with companies ranging from Nike and Samsung to Dunkin’ Brands (the corporate parent of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins).
On Tuesday night, a San Antonio billboard displaying “Loyalty > Royalty” went viral. Longtime San Antonio Spurs player Tim Duncan’s face was replaced the ‘o’ in loyalty, while James’ face replaced the ‘o’ in royalty. It’s a reference to his nickname, King James, and his decision to opt-out of his contract.
James has told the media that he will vacation with his family before choosing which team to play for. It’s a move that will ensure this decision is much quieter than his last.
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