LeBron James, as expected, will bypass his $21.6 million player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers and become a free agent on Wednesday.
ESPN.com reported Sunday that the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player has elected to decline the player option he holds for the 2015-16 season and re-enter unrestricted free agency that starts on July 1.
But most everyone in Cleveland and around the NBA believes James isn’t going anywhere as this is just a formality. James intends to re-sign with his current team, according to multiple reports.
The opt-out move is the third time in the past six years that James will be an unrestricted free agent.
Cavs general manager David Griffin said last week the team had been in regular contact with James since the end of the NBA Finals.
James returned to Northeast Ohio in July 2014, leaving the Miami Heat four years — and two NBA championships — after bolting Cleveland in an excruciating public departure aired by ESPN and titled “The Decision.”
The level of fear that James might take his talents elsewhere is minimized this time by the passionate letter in Sports Illustrated that trumpeted a triumphant comeback to Cleveland last summer.
James addressed Cavaliers fans one week ago in a video posted for Bleacher Report. There was no indication of his desire to leave Cleveland.
The Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors 105-97 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals without All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love due to injuries.
James had a historic Finals performance — averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists while playing 45.8 minutes per game.
—The Miami Heat informed forward Michael Beasley that the team will not pick up his $1.3 million option for next season.
The No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft was told of the team’s decision Saturday night. Beasley will officially become a free agent on Wednesday.
Beasley, in his third stint with the Heat after returning from China, averaged 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 43.4 percent in 24 games last season. He also was with the Heat from 2008 through 2010 and was part of the 2013-14 team that went to the NBA Finals.
—Forward Paul Pierce will not exercise the final year of his contract with the Washington Wizards and will become a free agent.
Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld confirmed to the Washington Post on Saturday night that Pierce opted out of his contract.
Pierce was due to make 5.5 million next season. By opting out, Pierce can either sign a new deal with the Wizards or explore opportunities with other teams.
Pierce reportedly is interested in the Los Angeles Clippers because he grew up nearby in Inglewood, Calif., and would be reunited with coach Doc Rivers, who he played for with the Boston Celtics.
—Kobe Bryant has talked with Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round draft pick Larry Nance Jr. about a 2012 tweet that referred to a sexual-assault case involving Bryant.
Bryant, speaking at the BET Experience held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night during an interview with ESPN’s Jemele Hill, said “there’s no need” for any further discussion about the matter.
“The kid figured it out himself,” Bryant said. “He’s a kid, man. He actually sent me a great message (Friday), which is really funny. I looked at it (the text message), and it was like, ‘This is when you know it’s about time to hang these things up, when your teammate writes you, Hi, Mr. Bryant.’ …
“It was really nice and apologetic about what had happened. I said, ‘Dude, listen. We’ve all said things and done things that we regret and wish we could take back. It’s water under the bridge, man. Welcome to the team.’ He writes back, ‘Thank you, sir.’”
Nance’s tweet posted in 2012, which was deleted within minutes of his selection by the Lakers with the 27th overall pick Thursday night, read: “Gee I sure hope Kobe can keep his hands to himself in Denver this time.” It also included the hashtag “#rapist.”
Bryant was involved in a 2003 sexual-assault case in Colorado when a woman accused him of raping her in his hotel room. All charges were dropped after she refused to testify, but a civil suit was later settled and Bryant publicly apologized. Bryant admitted no guilt in the case.
—The Philadelphia 76ers were forced to pay $3 million to the New Orleans Pelicans last season for failing to fully disclose guard Jrue Holiday’s leg injury before the 2013 NBA Draft, according to a report.
The Sixers did not reveal the extent of the injuries before dealing Holiday to the Pelicans for the rights to sixth overall pick Nerlens Noel, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Saturday.
The 6-foot-4 Holiday had stress fractures in his lower right leg during the 2012-13 season with the Sixers. He continues to have leg issues with the Pelicans.
During the 2013-14 season with New Orleans, Holiday was limited to 34 games because of a stress fracture in his right tibia. Last season, he missed 41 consecutive games with a stress reaction in his right lower leg.