As NBA superstar LeBron James was having a meeting with the Miami Heat president Pat Riley, the Cleveland Cavaliers created a $24 million salary space for the four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), according to reports.
Cleveland has made a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. Shooting guard Sergey Karasev and points guard Jarrett Jack were sent to the Nets, while Tyler Zeller moved to the Celtics, according to ESPN.
The Cavaliers now have enough salary space to offer a maximum contract to James, who will get an utmost of $20.7 million in the forthcoming season. However, some of the trades were planned earlier, regardless of what James' plans would be.
Jack was expected to leave Cleveland as the Eastern Conference team was looking to offload his two-year contract but they have taken a gamble by releasing Karasev and Zeller, who are considered bright prospects.
James is yet to make a decision on whether he is staying with the Heat or reuniting with his hometown franchise, where he started his professional career. But the 29-year-old had a meeting with the Heat president, which was considered Riley's last move to keep the superstar at Florida.
According to CBSSports, James has not made a decision following his meeting with Riley, which took place on Wednesday. The 10-time NBA All-Star will talk to his family, before taking a final decision on his future.
The rift between James and Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert, which was created when the player left the franchise in 2010, is over but there are no indications that the NBA star is coming face-to-face to discuss a potential deal with the Cavaliers or any other team.
As everyone is waiting for James' decision, the domino effect will follow on other free agents in the market. Chris Bosh, whose potential move away from the Heat largely depends on James' decision, is seriously considering a four-year deal with the Houston Rockets.
If LeBron decides to leave the American Airlines Arena, Bosh is certain to sign an $88 million worth contract with the Rockets. He is looking to return to Texas and as James is likely to make his decision within a couple of days, it will become clear where Bosh will land for the next season.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers which are in pursuit of an ultimate recruit from the free agency are also chasing the Minnesota Timberwolves's Kevin Love. Cleveland are not the only team looking to land Love as the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are also named potential destinations for the 25-year-old.
