LeBron opts out, becomes free agent again

As expected, LeBron James has declined his 2016-17 player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him an unrestricted free agent for the third consecutive summer.

James' agent, Rich Paul, revealed the decision on Tuesday, ESPN's Chris Broussard reported.

When he returned to Cleveland in July of 2014, James signed a one-year deal with a player option for a second. He opted out last summer, and signed the same deal, anticipating this year's TV-deal-driven salary-cap boom.

There was never any doubt that he was going to opt out, and with the cap set to jump again next season, odds are he signs another one-and-one deal after he officially becomes a free agent on July 1.

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported during the Finals that other teams around the league were unconvinced James would finish his career in Cleveland, but he's given no indication that he has plans to leave anytime soon.