Cavaliers offer LeBron $80 million extension

[Cloudy]

CLEVELAND -- LeBron James has given them triple-doubles, victories and hope. Now, all the Cleveland Cavaliers need from their superstar is a yes-or-no answer.

Shortly after the NBA's free agency season began Saturday, the Cavaliers contacted James to offer him a five-year maximum contract extension worth about $80 million, a deal that could keep him in Cleveland through the 2012-13 season.

For months, James has said he has no plans to leave. However, until he says he has accepted the Cavaliers' offer, nothing is certain. James can't officially sign anything until July 12, and there's a chance he might make the club sweat through the holiday weekend before telling them his plans.

On Friday, he had little to say about his contract situation, a topic that causes some Cleveland fans to tremble with fear.

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Opinions? That's a big big contract and I think he should sign with Cavaliers... This team proved to be a possible title contender with a few more additions of players...

[iKe7in]

I would think he would take less money than a max deal to stay, especially when the Cavs still need to add a few more pieces. And considering his endorsement deals, its not like he's just getting by.

If he really wanted to win more than anything, he'd take less so they could go out and add another player or two.

[[L3]1101]

I would think he would take less money than a max deal to stay, especially when the Cavs still need to add a few more pieces. And considering his endorsement deals, its not like he's just getting by.

If he really wanted to win more than anything, he'd take less so they could go out and add another player or two.

It's always a good thought, but given the players these days, it won't happen.
They are over the cap anyways, so taking less money will still put them over the cap, therefore they can't sign free agents.

Shaq and KG did it, but that was their second max contract. I wouldn't surprised if James takes less money the next time.

[hipn]

This dude would be one rich ass person. After a couple of season and he could live his whole life without having to work anymore...wow.

[Fenix]

The real money Lebron's getting and will get is in his Nike/McDonalds (...) contracts. Hell, he'll earn more money from his Nike contract alone than he'll get with this extension. If you know that he would get even more money from advertisements playing in a bigger contract, you can figure out that he'd get far more if he took a paycut and played for Chicago/LA/NY.

[Matt]

Cavs are over the cap because of ludicrous deals to Hughes & Ilgauskas so it'll be hard for them to add pieces. (i wonder what Drew Gooden will get). 80 mill deal though is a bargain for the Cavs.

[Matthew]

I'll be suprised if James stays for 5 more seasons. You'd expect at least one player option in that deal.

[Fenix]

I agree. It is also possible for him get traded this offseason. I know, I know, but there's a good chance of that happening if he doesn't sign the extension. Would you really want to stay in Cleveland? A team with loaded cap, no intriguing players other than LBJ? Not a major FA attraction? If you could get a lot more money in a bigger market? I say something will happen this summer, something big.

[Axel]

I say something will happen this summer, something big.

Yup, he's gonna play with his buddy D-wade.







I wish...

[CMJ3]

Thats a big contract....now i just hope Denver will give Carmelo a similar deal. But will all that money go to Lebrons head and make him TOTALLY forget about the rest of the team?

[Fenix]

People are forgetting that he already signed a 100 million $ contract BEFORE he even got into the League. Why would additional 80 millions make him go locos?

[iKe7in]

But will all that money go to Lebrons head and make him TOTALLY forget about the rest of the team?

Yes it will. He will now stop sharing his snacks at lunch time and won't let them in his tree house.

[BIG GREEN]

I wish players would stop thinking about the money and think about their legacy. He'll still be rich due to his endorsement deals. Why can't lebron take less money and go to a team where his chances for winning a championship is greatly increased...like the knicks.

[kinokong]

lol.... he'd probably make more from the bonuses if he goes to the knicks than he would make with the cavs

[jerry]

... if he was a real team player i think he would and SHOULD take less money, he's already going to have leftover money when he dies(god forbid but last time i checked no1 lives forever). so he doesnt really need the money. the cavs offered him this much so he would stay, and he doesnt even need the money. they were pretty close this year in their playoff run, infact they ALMOST beat the pistons...so i think that the same team with some training in the offseason will be enough to help them get to the semi finals...

[maes]

The real question is how much Nike will give him to move to a major market. His current Nike deal is $90M, so it already eclipses this offer from the Cavs.

Yes Cleveland did get decently far into the playoffs, but that was on the strength of LeBron 95%...Z was absent and obviously Hughes didn't do anything...heck when Flip Murray looks like your best 2nd option (i love Flip but he's not Scottie Pippen).

LeBron on another playoff team would have gone even farther, possibly all the way. It just smells like a KG scenario right now...but hopefully I'm wrong.

[[L3]1101]

WHY CAN'T EVERYONE MAKE LESS MONEY AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR? WHY CAN'T THE OIL COMPANIES CHARGE US LESS FOR THE FUEL SO EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY? WHY DO AIR JORDANS COST MORE THAN OTHER NIKE SHOES?

it's greed and it's human nature. Put yourself into his situation, why not make more money if you can? Why didn't Kobe ask for less money so the Lakers can sign better players?

[jerry]

cause kobe is good.

[breems]

lol i love short answers

[hipn]

He should come to Toronto.

[iKe7in]

What a perfect plan! Why hasn't Colangelo thought of that !?!?!

[Andrew]

Even though there's interesting scenarios with LeBron leaving the Cavaliers and I'm sure most of us who aren't Cavs fans would each like to see him on our favourite team, I don't see it as being all doom and gloom if he remains in Cleveland. Obviously, he's going to be paid quite handsomely if he re-signs with the Cavs so it seems unlikely he'll be insulted with the money they're prepared to throw at him. I don't see the Cavaliers as being dead in the water so I don't think he'll necessarily be resigning himself to mediocrity if he signs an extension. On top of that, he has an opportunity to solidify himself as the all-time face of the Cavaliers franchise (some might say he's already there) and he's an Ohio native. There are incentives for him re-signing.

As far as LeBron accepting less money and being compensated with larger endorsement deals, I'm still not convinced the league wouldn't look upon that as tampering, which wouldn't make it a feasible option.

[beau_boy04]

If I were in his shoes I won't take the extension or just sign a 1-2 years with Cleveland and see how serious are they about winning a championship. And if things don't work out then I'll leave to another city.

[Cloudy]

Yeah true beauboy... Right now every team wants him on their team...
I think it really depends what he wants right now, he can actually ask for very little and go play for Miami!

[Laker Socks]

I wish players would stop thinking about the money and think about their legacy. He'll still be rich due to his endorsement deals. Why can't lebron take less money and go to a team where his chances for winning a championship is greatly increased...like the knicks.

Or the lakers.