It’s not a matter of if, but when.
Everybody knows LeBron James will remain in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, but he hasn’t signed a new contract. Neither the player nor the organization seem uncomfortable about this, but both parties want to get things done quickly. After all, the Cavaliers – and every team, really – would love to get their roster set as soon as possible.
The main question seems to be what type of deal LeBron will sign. He’s reportedly deciding between a one-year deal or a multi-year one. Both have a fair share of pros and cons, and whichever is the one will certainly have an impact on both James and the Cavaliers organization.
What if he signs a one-year deal?
Signing a one-year deal just like he did last season would give LeBron the chance to maximize his earnings. He would sign something close to a max deal, while having enough flexibility to re-negotiate when the salary cap rises again in 2017. Seems like a win-win scenario, right?
This situation could backfire, though. If there’s a lockout – something that seems plausible considering the stance of both the Union and the owners – then he might not sign for a good amount of money next season. This scenario is unlikely, but a risky one at the same time.
What if he signs a multi-year deal?
Signing a long-term deal would give James financial stability for years to come, not to mention the fans would make sure he’d stay as a Cavalier for the long run. All of this sounds pretty nice, but is what LeBron really wants?
The biggest argument against signing a multi-year deal is the fact that James has repeatedly said he wants to earn a max contract. James has been making a sacrifice in the last few years in an effort to give the Cavaliers a better chance to build a more talented roster. Enough is enough, though, and James is not going to sign anything less than a maximum contract.
As you can see, it’s not an easy choice. Both the fans and the management will look to close things out sooner than later. After all, the Cavaliers can’t waste more time in locking up their star player.