After the Miami Heat lost the 2014 NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Heat. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
James grabbed national attention as a basketball phenom at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. (Tom Pidgeon / Getty Images)
Picked first in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, James began his NBA career in his home state of Ohio. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)
By 2005, James was establishing himself as a young star, making his first All-Star appearance. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)
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James elevated his Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference to vie for his first NBA ring. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
As the main star of Team USA in the 2008 Olympics at Beijing, James brought home a gold medal. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
After no rings in Cleveland, James took his talents to Miami in 2010 to play with superstars Chris Bosh, left, and Dwayne Wade, center. (Al Diaz / McClatchy-Tribune)
James won his first NBA championship in 2012, as the Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
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James celebrates after winning the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics as the star of Team USA. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
James won his second consecutive championship in 2013 as the Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press)
