LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t talked contract details
By Sam Richmond
LeBron James is heading home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the star forward announced on SportsIllustrated.com Friday.
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Although, for how long and for how much money remains to be decided.
In fact, LeBron and the Cavaliers haven’t even begun discussions about his contract, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
"No contract for James has been negotiated with the Cavs yet because no talks had taken place before the essay was released. The Cavs are expected to offer a four-year deal worth the maximum $88 million but will agree to any terms James wants.James is expected to make a long-term commitment to the franchise, sources said."
That shouldn’t really surprise anyone. It seems James’ first priority here was to relay to the Cavaliers fanbase that he wants to come home, not worry about how much money he’s going to make.
"James, his agent and advisors deeply considered how they wanted to release the message and decided they didn’t want to make it about the Cavs or the Heat but about the people of Ohio. James wanted to tell them first, sources said."
Still, expect James to sign for the four-year maximum sometime soon. It’s been reported that LeBron wanted a max contract this summer and the Cavaliers cleared enough cap space to give it to him.
James spent his first seven seasons in Cleveland before heading to Miami in 2010. He averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists last season.