Does Cleveland have James' Bird Rights Next summer

[Moranis]

Assuming that James again signs a 2 year contract with an opt out next summer, would Cleveland hold his Bird Rights next summer (after he opts out) given he would have spent 3 years in Cleveland.

Anyone know the rules on that?

[action781]

To quote from Larry Coon's holy book of all things CBA:

33. How long must a player be with one team before the Larry Bird exception can be used?

The basic idea is that a player must play for the same team for three seasons for his team to gain Bird rights (two seasons for Early Bird rights). It can be a single three-year contract, a series of three one-year contracts, or any combination that adds up to three seasons (or two for Early Bird).

So yes, they will.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q34

[saltlover]

Assuming that James again signs a 2 year contract with an opt out next summer, would Cleveland hold his Bird Rights next summer (after he opts out) given he would have spent 3 years in Cleveland.

Anyone know the rules on that?

Yes, they would. 

[Moranis]

To quote from Larry Coon's holy book of all things CBA:

33. How long must a player be with one team before the Larry Bird exception can be used?

The basic idea is that a player must play for the same team for three seasons for his team to gain Bird rights (two seasons for Early Bird rights). It can be a single three-year contract, a series of three one-year contracts, or any combination that adds up to three seasons (or two for Early Bird).

So yes, they will.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q34

Thanks.  I thought they did, but wasn't sure.  So he would turn down a ton of money if he left next summer.  I just can't see him turning down 250 million (or whatever it ends up as).  Looks like he will retire a Cav.