LeBron James has officially opted out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and there is one team that really hurts, the Houston Rockets.
LeBron James has informed the Cavs he won’t opt into his contract. This decision is favorable to the Lakers chances, hurts the Rockets chances and the Cavs remain firmly in mix.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 29, 2018
If James would have opted in and the Cavs would have made a trade with the Rockets, it would have hard cap them at the luxury-tax apron which is estimated to be right around $128 million. That would have allowed the Rockets to resign most of their guys that are free agents like Chris Paul and maybe Clint Capela.
Without James opting in it probably means that either Paul or James would have to take a massive pay cut, something that neither is probably going to be willing to do.
They also probably wouldn't have any chance at resigning Capela and they would have to dump off a lot of salaries that are on the roster, something they probably wouldn't be willing to do.
James Harden has already said that he thinks the team that just went to the Western Conference final can compete again next year, and they don't necessarily need to bring in LeBron.
“We were a half away from the Finals,” Harden told the media after accepting regular-season MVP honors for the first time in his career via SB Nation. “I don’t think there’s a piece we need to bring in or take away. We’re great with what we have. Our main focus is getting better, getting healthier, and then doing what we do.”
A lot could change, and there is still a path for LeBron to sign with the Rockets, but call it at this point, a longshot at best.
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