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AP source: LeBron will become free agent

FILE - In this June 17, 2014 file photo, Miami Heat's LeBron James gestures as he answers a question during a news conference in Miami. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that James has decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat and become a free agent on July 1. Opting out does not mean James has decided to leave the Heat, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the four-time NBA MVP nor the team had made any public announcement. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File) FILE - In this June 17, 2014 file photo, Miami Heat's LeBron James gestures as he answers a question during a news conference in Miami. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that James has decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat and become a free agent on July 1. Opting out does not mean James has decided to leave the Heat, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the four-time NBA MVP nor the team had made any public announcement. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

By Associated Press June 24, 2014 2 min read

MIAMI (AP) – LeBron James is heading back to free agency.

James has told the Miami Heat that he is opting out of the final two years of his contract, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither James nor the Heat announced the move.

It does not mean James is leaving the Heat – but there’s no guarantee that he’ll be in a Miami uniform next season, either.

“There’s no other decision yet,” the person told AP.

James addressed the lure of having flexibility last week in his exit interview after the Heat lost to San Antonio in the NBA Finals.