LeBron James remains one of the NBA’s many unsigned free agents, but he won’t stay that way for long.
Actually, that’s a slight lie. He might. He could stay unsigned for two months, two weeks, two days, two minutes. We don’t really know. When he finally does put pen to paper on a new deal, though, it will be with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as sources told ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst:
LeBron James has informed the Cleveland Cavaliers he will re-sign with the reigning NBA champions this summer but still has no timetable for negotiating or signing a deal, sources told ESPN.
James is one of several members of the Cavs from last season’s championship team who remain unsigned, including J.R. Smith and head coach Tyronn Lue.
James is currently traveling and spending time with family. He will meet with agent Rich Paul and go over his contract options at some point but there is no rush, sources said.
Clearly, you’re surprised. We all thought James was going to leave Cleveland again. That he’s not signing with the Golden State Warriors for the veteran’s minimum is absolutely flooring.
Again, we kid. We always knew he would re-sign with the Cavaliers. And while we don’t officially know what contract he’s going to sign, it makes sense for him to go the one-year route yet again. This way, the Cavaliers will own his full Bird rights next summer, when the salary cap spikes again, enabling them to offer him one of the richest, if not the richest, contract in NBA history.
Now, about J.R. Smith’s next contract. Let’s see if LeBron delivers his signature before his friend gets a new deal.
