LeBron James’ commitment to Cleveland hasn’t changed
LeBron James was asked a wide variety of questions on media day ranging from Kyrie Irving to politics.
One of the lingering stories throughout the summer has been LeBron James’s impending free agency next summer. There have been reports from many media outlets that James is as good as done in Cleveland. LeBron quelled some of those rumors, at least for the time being.
"Joe Vardon: “When you came back 3 years ago…you said on several occasions that you intended to finish your career. Has that thought or feeling for you changed?”LeBron: “It hasn’t changed. That’s why I sit up here today still in this uniform. Still ready to lead this franchise to a championship. Put us in a position where we can be successful. Obviously you guys know with me any time I am able to either be a free agent or my contract is ending I will approach that when the summer comes. I won’t ever cheat my teammates or cheat the fans. Or in a situation where I’m worried or talking about free agency all year long. Because I’m not going to give energy to something that I can handle in the summertime. When I should be focused on what I need to do on a day to day basis to help this franchise compete for a championship…It’s my obligation to go about that way. When the summer comes I will approach that.”"
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James later clarified why he hasn’t committed to the future yet.
"Jeff Schudel: “If I heard you correctly, you plan on finishing your career here is that correct? If that’s the case, what is there to decide next summer?LeBron: “At the end of the day I have a contract. I will fill out that obligation that I’ve always done…I’ve always handled it in the most business like way. I will do that with my team in the summertime like we always have.”"
July 2018 is far away. It’s impossible to predict what the landscape will be like in the NBA next summer. But as of right now, it appears that James is committed to Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
How long that future will be is yet to be determined. Next offseason, players like Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and several other superstars could be testing the same free agency waters that James will be. The future for them is leaning much more on this upcoming season than James’ is.
The Cleveland prodigy has done incredible things for the city including snapping their historic championship-less streak. At 32, James, just like he said, is not done with Cleveland. Cleveland is not done with James either. The superstar averaged career-highs in assists and rebounds last season. While aging, James has figured out how to be productive in different roles on the Cavaliers offense.
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This season, with Kyrie Irving already traded, will pose a different, intriguing challenge for James. Entering his 15th season, we will have to see how James handles this team.