I'm glad to see some outlet is finally posting this. My quick match I had been doing on this board and in my posts led me to that conclusion. Hopefully this will gain a little more traction throughout the league so people will actually realize it.
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Since the article focuses on Lebron, I will just take his contract numbers.
Lebron's option for next year is 17.1 million.
The best he can do this year is 16.5 million and that means re-signing with Cleveland or getting a sign and trade (given his years of service and the cap).
If he doesn't opt out and signs an extension he would make 19 million in 11-12.
If he opts out and then re-signs with the Cavs, he would make 18.2 million in 11-12. If he opts out and leaves, he would make less then 18 million in 11-12.
The gaps will only widen going further into the future.
In otherwords, these big name free agents (bosh, wade, lebron, etc.) should only opt out if it truly is not about the money.