Clause in current contract allows him to become a free agent next summer…
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has insisted that he has no plans to go through the free agency process again next summer and is in Cleveland to stay.
The 29-year-old signed a two-year contract but it includes an option that would allow him to become a free agent again next summer if he opted to do so.
However, he revealed on Friday that he is not planning on testing free agency again so soon after returning to Cleveland and he remains focused on his ultimate aim which is delivering a championship to the city.
“My No. 1 goal is to win a championship here; it’d be the greatest achievement in my life,” James said, ESPN reports.
“I don’t plan on going nowhere. I don’t have the energy to do it again.”
James conceded that his business mind and awareness of what is happening with the NBA has also allowed him to realise that he will be able to command a much higher salary in 2016 with the expectation that the salary cap and max-contract level will likely increase significantly with a new television deal being agreed.
As a result, while his current contract is reportedly worth up to $42m, he could re-negotiate in two years time to secure a much more rewarding deal for himself with the Cavs.
Nevertheless, the priority at this stage is preparing for the new season as the franchise continues to strengthen around the two-time NBA champion, with Mike Miller and James Jones the latest to be recruited this week.
Meanwhile, discussions are expected to continue with Ray Allen in the coming weeks while Kevin Love will complete his trade deal from the Minnesota Timberwolves later this month which will see both Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett move in the opposite direction.
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