Cleveland’s got the cash. Is James ready to return home? (Getty Images)
Cleveland pulled a trade this morning that freed up enough money to offer LeBron James a maximum salary, according to an ESPN report.
As the Cavaliers lobby for James to return, they agreed to a deal that will send Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasey to Brooklyn, as well as Tyler Zeller and a protected future first-round pick to Boston. The Celtics also get Marcus Thornton from the Nets.
All trades and signings are merely verbal agreements until the moratorium on transactions ends Thursday at 12:01 a.m.
The real significance of Cleveland’s move is that it opens up an extra $9.5 million in salary cap space and will allow them to sign James for around $20 million per season.
ESPN also reported that the Cavaliers are recruiting Ray Allen, James’ teammate in Miami the past two seasons.
There have been no reports of James meeting personally with any team, and he is expected to sit down with Heat president Pat Riley, owner Micky Arison, coach Erik Spoelstra and Dwyane Wade in Las Vegas today.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, held meetings last week in Cleveland with the Cavaliers, Rockets, Mavericks, Suns and Lakers.
