NBA Rumors: LeBron James Opts Out, Big Three To Meet

Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) talks with center Chris Bosh (1), guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter of game four of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Rumors

While LeBron James has informed the Miami Heat that he will opt out of his current contract with the team in order to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, we all know that nothing has really changed until LeBron meets up with the rest of the Big Three — Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade — to discuss what really is going to happen next.

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And that is expected to take place sometime before July 1st, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

"In the wake of LeBron James’ decision to opt out of his contract, the NBA’s best player is still expected to sit down with Miami Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to discuss a future together with the team, league sources told Yahoo Sports.The meeting is expected to take place days before the official beginning of free agency, and there’s an expectation that the Heat’s “Big 3” will have a strong idea about whether they’ll continue together in Miami before James, 29, can hit the market on July 1.Discussions between James and Heat owner Micky Arison and president Pat Riley will take place soon too, sources said."

It will probably take place once Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh opt out themselves, if they decide to take that route. But, assuming they all opt out, the Miami Heat still have to be considered the “favorites” to re-sign LeBron. However, if you’re looking for a close second, don’t look any further than the Los Angeles Clippers.

"The most intriguing move on the mind of James and his camp, sources told Yahoo Sports, would be a sign-and-trade scenario with the Los Angeles Clippers in which James could play with close friend Chris Paul and under president-coach Doc Rivers. Nevertheless, Miami has remained the primary consideration for James, sources said. He wants to see Riley’s plans for improving the roster.As for sign-and-trade scenarios, in which Riley would have to assist James in getting his maximum financial payout with a new team, the organization has been privately adamant that they’d never do it, league sources said. If James wanted to force his way to the Clippers, he’d have to create the fear within Miami that it could lose him for nothing to a team with the salary cap space to sign him."

Of course, the first domino becomes what happens, or what’s said, in the meeting between the Big Three. Once we get a good feel of that, then it’s going to be a whole lot easier to handicap this Decision 2.0.

Though, in the meantime…