The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently worried about bringing back Tristan Thompson for next season and the long-term and have called that their main priority. LeBron James has been vocal about his thoughts on Thompson, saying he should be a Cavalier for life and that he should be Cleveland's top priority earlier in the offseason. The Cavaliers also have to worry about their superstar forward James, though, as he is currently on a two-year deal with the second year being a player option and will likely opt out at the end of this season. LeBron reportedly may opt to refrain from signing a long-term deal until the summer of 2017, according to Hoops Rumors.
The last two times James has become a free agent, which is the last two years, he has chosen to sign a two-year deal worth the maximum amount that allows him to opt out after year one. The reason he does this is that it gives him the freedom to not only make more money but also keep his options open moving forward. By virtually being on a one-year deal every year, James also ensures that the Cavaliers put the best product possible on the court because they know if they don't, LeBron could sign elsewhere the next offseason.
James is set to make a little less than $23 million in the 2015-16 season and has an option for a little more than $24 million in 2016-17 that will almost certainly be declined. Next season, the cap will go up to around $89 million and then up to about $100 million in 2017, so James will likely sign another two-year deal with a player option for the second year next offseason and cash in big time in the summer of 2017 when his starting salary could be around $30 million.
Chris Haynes told Hoops Rumors that it is possible James could take a long-term deal next summer, but the more likely option is he waits until 2017. James is probably the only player in the league that can get away with doing this but the Cavaliers will happily oblige as long as he is playing for them every season. James' contract situation puts pressure on the Cavaliers to put a good roster around the King while also giving LeBron the maximum amount of money he could possibly make which is a very shrewd move by the best basketball player in the world.
