Lebron James Says He is Staying in Cleveland

[Dirty]

Sources: LeBron says he'll stay


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By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine
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LeBron Staying In Cleveland Past 2010?

Chris Broussard on Trevor Ariza's claim that LeBron says he will stay in ClevelandTags: NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers, Lebron James, Trevor Ariza

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LeBron Staying In Cleveland Past 2010?
The Cleveland Cavaliers got some bad news followed by some potentially terrific news on Sunday. In a last-ditch effort to recruit Trevor Ariza away from the Houston Rockets, LeBron James told Ariza he would remain with the Cavaliers past 2010, according to a person close to Ariza.
Even that wasn't enough to get Ariza, who verbally committed to join the Rockets last Thursday, to change his mind and go to Cleveland.

James
But the Cavaliers will gladly settle for the consolation prize; if indeed James' statement to Ariza was more than an empty sales pitch.
"Trevor asked LeBron if he would be in Cleveland after next season," the source said. "And LeBron said, 'I'll be there. Of course, I'll be there.'"
James could not be reached for comment on Monday.
James' conversation with Ariza was part of the Cavaliers' attempt to make the free agent swingman the next Hedo Turkoglu, who backed out of his promise last week to join Portland and instead accepted a deal with Toronto.
Cavs general manager Danny Ferry and head coach Mike Brown flew to Los Angeles and met with Ariza on Sunday, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation.


Ariza
Ariza, who had accepted a five-year, $33.5 million offer from the Rockets last Thursday, also received telephone calls from James and Shaquille O'Neal. When James told Ariza he'd be a Cavalier past next season, Ariza was less than convinced.
"He thought it was just a recruiting tool," the source said. "LeBron definitely said it, but until he signs the contract it doesn't mean much."
The Cavaliers did not ask James or O'Neal to call Ariza, but as he did with Ron Artest, James took it upon himself to reach out. James' future in Cleveland has been an issue with potential signees.
Artest, whom the Cavaliers had interest in before he agreed to terms with the Lakers, was concerned about signing a multiyear deal with Cleveland because of James' ability to leave in 2010. And even O'Neal, who was traded to the Cavs less than two weeks ago, tried to find out about James' long-term plans with the club during trade talks.
Even so, according to sources, a flattered Ariza strongly considered reneging on his agreement with the Rockets and heading for Cleveland, which made him the same offer as Houston last week. In the end, however, he decided to keep his word to the Rockets.
"He's a very loyal person," the source said. "[Rockets coach] Rick Adelman had lunch with him for three straight days last week and that meant a lot to him."
Ariza presumably will sign with the Rockets on Wednesday, the first day free agents are allowed to sign contracts. But until then, other teams can recruit him, and he can change his mind.
Though Ferry and Brown left Los Angeles Sunday night thinking their mission had failed, the Cavaliers spoke with Ariza's representatives one last time Monday afternoon, only to be told that he still planned to be a Rocket.
Sources say several factors led to Ariza's decision. First, his toddler son lives in Los Angeles with his mother and Ariza liked that Houston was a much shorter flight than Cleveland. Second, Adelman promised him the Rockets would feature him offensively while the Cavaliers refused to guarantee him a starting job. Instead, the Cavs told him he'd be given a legitimate chance to compete for the spot against last year's starter, Delonte West.
"He wanted to be sure he'd start," the source said. "That was a big hang-up."
While an about-face is still possible, the Cavaliers, who met with Channing Frye in Cleveland on Monday, aren't holding their breath.
"As far as we're concerned, he's going to Houston," a team executive said. "We've moved on."
The Cavaliers, of course, are hoping James doesn't do the same thing a year from now.
Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine.

Source: LeBron James tells recruit he'll stay with Cleveland Cavaliers - ESPN

[rjordan1979]

And now his handlers are saying that it was bull.

Sources: LeBron James didn't talk future with Trevor Ariza - ESPN

Man, it's going to be a long year of talking about this. And like someone said in the article, until he signs the contract, what he says to anyone means nothing.

[Dirty]

going to be lots of shit thrown

[rjordan1979]

I can see the Knicks trying to start shit to "unsettle" him in Cleveland.

The lower cap makes this even more interesting.

[Dirty]

I don't think he can go anywhere... He will be paid too much...any team that can fit him under and afford him will be Mediocre at Best ..... Cleveland will have Space and You can sign your own Free Agents without bearing on the Cap....

[rjordan1979]

Not to mention, he's already one of the top stars in the world, moving to New York wouldn't really help him, and he'd pretty much own Cleveland if they won the 'ship.