NBA Rumors: LeBron James tells Cavaliers he will re-sign

LeBron James hasn’t agreed to a new deal yet, but he has told the Cleveland Cavaliers that he will re-sign.

LeBron James is enjoying 2016 NBA free agency in the most leisurely fashion possible. He’s in no rush to agree to a new deal, he was never involved in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes or recruiting, and it’s always been a foregone conclusion that he’s staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After ending the city’s 50-plus year championship drought and leading the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals (against those pretty good 73-9 Golden State Warriors), the startling success and connection to home are too strong to walk away from this time.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that LeBron has now confirmed his intent to stay put by telling the Cavaliers he will be re-signing:

"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 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."

After averaging 36.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists, three steals and three blocks with 50.8 percent shooting over the Cavaliers’ three straight wins to close out the Finals, it’s safe to say LeBron has earned some time out to travel. It was a historic, herculean effort, and from rediscovering his 3-point game to The Block itself, each win, the eventual title and the parade through Cleveland make it harder than ever to imagine LeBron leaving his hometown team.

As much as some speculative basketball fans may have enjoyed concocting scenarios where LeBron leaves for their team after delivering Cleveland the championship he promised, we’ve known he isn’t going anywhere and that he’s overjoyed with how the last month has turned out.

If there was ever any slight element of doubt among the Cavaliers’ front office that The King could be leaving his hometown throne, their minds have now been put at ease by the man himself.

At this stage, we’re just waiting to see whether LeBron will sign another short-term deal with a player option for 2017-18 (which is becoming increasingly attractive from a financial standpoint for NBA players as the cap gradually rises) or jumps straight to a long-term deal.

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