UPDATE: LeBron James’ deal with the Cavs is reportedly for 2-years at $42.1M. He has the option of opting out after the first year.
The Decision 2.0 has sent Cleveland into a frenzy much different from 2010.
In an announcement to SI’s Lee Jenkins, LeBron James finally ended the speculation saying that he’s ‘coming home’ to the Cleveland Cavaliers the team he left back in 2010 to win 2-championships with the Miami Heat.
To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned — seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?
Currently the deal LeBron will sign with the Cavs is unclear however it’s assumed that it will be a max deal given the way Cleveland was cleaning house prior to James’ return.
LeBron James announces on SI that he's returning to Cleveland.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2014
James met with Dan Gilbert and worked through issues on the letter, he says in story with @SI_LeeJenkins.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2014
LeBron now joins a Cavs team in much better position to win an NBA Championship than when he originally left the team in 2010. After multiple first overall picks the Cavs now have massive firepower with Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins in addition to LeBron James setting themselves up to be an instant contender in a weak Eastern Conference.
Welcome Home @kingjames. I am excited for the fans and people of Cleveland and Ohio. No fans and people deserve a winner more than them…..
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) July 11, 2014
As for Miami the loss of LeBron also means the loss of Chris Bosh who will almost certainly sign his max deal contract with the Houston Rockets. Other than that the Heat are left with a bunch of role players and probably a busted up Dwyane Wade.
