At the end of the 2017-18 NBA season, LeBron James is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent. While James is focused on leading the Cavaliers to their second championship in four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, he revealed some details about his upcoming free agency.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the 33-year-old says his family is all that matters:
“My family. That’s all that matters,” James told cleveland.com. “I want to continue to win at the highest level, because I know I can still do it as an individual, and then my family. My family is what’s most important to me, more than anything.”
When asked if where his family wants to live is another factor, James had the following to say:
“That’s just a small piece of it,” James said, when asked if the decision comes down to where his family wants to live. “We make joint decisions all together, all the time. Once we get to it, my agent and my team we will all tackle it the right way but my family plays a big part in it. And winning.”
As is the case with James’ free agency, no one truly knows what he will do and there will be conflicting reports leading up to his decision. However, throughout the season, the four-time Most Valuable Player has been linked with four teams including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets.
In perhaps his most challenging season in recent memory, James is having a historic 15th season by averaging 27.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. Despite the 49-31 record and not finishing with the Eastern Conference’s best record this season, it is difficult to go against James in a seven-game series.