LeBron James is apparently pulling out all the stops in attempts to get Free Agents to come to the Cavaliers. Sources close to Free Agent Trevor Ariza have said that James told Ariza he would be in Cleveland after next season.
"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.'"
Whether or not that was simply James trying to make a sales pitch to Ariza remains to be seen, and remember, while most people believe it is a given that LeBron will opt out of his contract after next season, CBA uncertainty, along with the economy could give James reason to pause, if only for one second.
There is also the possibility that LeBron could accept an extension this summer, say, for 3 seasons. The Cavaliers are expected to offer James the extension.
According the the report, Ariza was a bit skepticle about LeBron's guarantee to remain a Cavalier -
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."
Again, only time will tell, but like most of us have said all along, what reason is there for James to leave Cleveland when the Cavaliers are doing anything and everything possible to make him happy?