The Cleveland Cavaliers are growing increasingly uncomfortable about LeBron James' pending free-agency, with the team still struggling to establish themselves as a legitimate title contender heading the halfway mark of the season.
Northeast Ohio Media Group writer Chris Haynes reported that there's indeed a growing tension inside the Cavaliers locker room. This feeling of unease is stemmed from the divide between head coach David Blatt and several Cavs players, presumably including James.
With the ability to opt out next summer, James offers a tricky situation for the Cavs' front office, which pulled off one of the best off-seasons in franchise's history by luring back the four-time NBA MVP, re-signing Kyrie Irving for five-year deal and snatching Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves by sending two no.1 overall picks (Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett) and another first-rounder in 2015.
According to Haynes, there's an outside chance James might opt out from his contract and leave Cleveland the second time around, despite the fact it would permanently burn the bridges that connects him and the city of Cleveland.
"James, who turns 30 today, has no intention of compromising his prime years playing for a sputtering organization. He can opt out of his contract at the end of the season and become a free agent," Haynes stated.
"Given the massive scrutiny he would endure if he departed Cleveland a second time, if his hand is forced, I'm told he won't hesitate to make the appropriate business decision if it means bolting."
Averaging 25.2 points, 7.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game, James is still playing at a high level despite turning 30-years old on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers, which were expected to be a hand down championship favorite this season, haven't reached yet its full potential, especially with Blatt still having a lot of hard time learning the nuances of coaching a star-studded team at this point of the season.
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