It doesn't work that way. A teams free agents still count against the cap until resigned or renounced. Cleveland wouldn't have the cap space to sign a big name FA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ICYMI: LeBron James tells Cavs he'll opt out of contract & become free agent, but plans to re-sign. <a href="http://t.co/qSZFoTlaGK">http://t.co/qSZFoTlaGK</a></p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/615314433989079040">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'll wait for him to schedule his own special on ESPN in order to announce what he's actually going to do.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When they do in 2017-18, he could sign a 5-year deal for $203M. Before then, only 4-year deals for smaller average annual values.</p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/615346413006901248">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If I were Lebron, I'd opt out but wait until the major free agents have signed. I'd have no problem signing for a little less if it meant bringing in another major piece or two to put the Cavs over the top.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As I tweeted yesterday, the threat of leaving gives LeBron power to influence Cavs' moves. Some sources think he'll ask for coaching change.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/615520562270597122">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources say LeBron James also wants to ensure that the Cavs re-sign Tristan Thompson. James and Thompson have the same agent, Rich Paul.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/615521470861705216">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Too many people in this thread have had the same idea. So long as Cleveland retains Bird Rights for Lebron, there is a cap-hold on their payroll that fills up the space that he will eventually take up. Cleveland will not get cap-space from a simple timing tactic. This strategy does work for players who are due a big pay raise, but not for guys who are already on a max contract. Lebron would have to actually sign a lowball contract for Cleveland to get a cap-space benefit. I don't know if it's terribly wise. He's not a dumb guy at all, but giving players too much decision-making power is usually a recipe for disaster. Players don't have the right perspective or access to information or generally the skillset or focus to make good team-building decisions. Lebron making demands probably makes good decision-making by the FO harder, not easier. Not that Cleveland has that great a reputation for teambuilding in the first place, but I don't see Lebron as 'helping' in this regard.
Makes sense, gives management flexibility to sign who they need to and he could technically sign a lower one year deal to make sure the team has what they need for the next five years. Then, next year when the cap increases he can go for a full and bloated contract. He makes $42 million on endorsements so he's fine for a year and plus he plans to go full Kobe on the Cavs and suck them try when he is 40 and unable to dunk with a 50 million a year contract for several years. Or is that pulling a Pujols?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nope. LeBron cannot sign a 5 year deal with anyone before 2017, not this summer , not next. CBA prohibits it <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo">@ESPNStatsInfo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsTaxMan">@SportsTaxMan</a></p>— David Lord (@DLord_DBdotcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/DLord_DBdotcom/status/615321908129566720">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Well, obviously he's staying (and I'm pretty sure everyone knew that), but of course the media will love to produce 100 more what if... stories. Haha, they love click baiting!!! Also, I think next year's FA is going to be really interesting... I mean the contracts in 2017 are going to be insane. Hopefully the money is as good as it should be and the team owners don't get all cheap forcing a lockout at a later date.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Agent Rich Paul notifies Cavs , Lebron will sign on the 1st available signing day of free agency; details of the contract to follow</p>— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/619188990516793344">July 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Agent Rich Paul tells Cavs today LeBron will sign 2 yr deal with player option for 2nd year. $22.97 million 1st season, $24 mill 2nd year</p>— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/619190439451721728">July 9, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
