LeBron Drops His Contract

Miami Heat President Pat Riley is going to have to fight if he wants to keep LeBron James. On Tuesday, James’s agent, Rich Paul, announced that the four-time MVP has decided to exercise his early opt-out and become an unrestricted free agent. This doesn’t necessarily mean he’s leaving the Heat, but as of July 1, he can play the field. If James had stayed with his current deal, he would have made $20 million next season and had $42.7 million coming his way over the next two years. Riley may up the ante to keep James: The Heat have made the NBA Finals four times in his four seasons with him, winning the championship twice.