There was speculation that LeBron James might up and leave Cleveland Cavaliers again but he made it clear that he intends to stay and defend their championship title next season.
"I love it here. I love being here. I love my teammates," James told cleveland.com, moments before he boarded a float at The Q for the Cavs' championship parade through downtown Cleveland. "Obviously my agent will take care of all the logistical things but, I'm happy. I've got no plans to go nowhere at this point."
James, 31, can become a free agent if he decides not to exercise the one-year, $24 million player's option on his current contract. Many thought if the Cavs didn't win the title this year, that he would opt-out and leave again. Now that they've won, he will still opt-out but it's for monetary purposes. He will decline the player option and work on a new contract with the Cavaliers; he can make upwards of $30 million next season under the new deal. Now, the question is, will he negotiate another short-term deal if they give him flexibility and more power.
Free agents can begin negotiating with teams July 1 and can sign July 7.
Source: cleveland.com
