My Daily Inquirer

NBA star LeBron James has told CNN that the Cleveland Cavaliers "have an edge" in a fight over where he will play in the future because of his seven years with the team.

In an interview James gave Tuesday that will air Friday on CNN's Larry King Live, the sports network's website reported that the Cavaliers have an inside track on "King James" when NBA free agency opens on July 1.

James, 25, said the Cavaliers, based near his Ohio hometown of Akron, "absolutely" have an edge and not only because of NBA rules that would allow teams to outbid rival suitors in order to keep free agent talent.

"This city, these fans, have given me a lot in these seven years and, you know, for me, it's comfortable," James told CNN. "So I've got a lot of memories here and so it does have an edge."

The Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks are among the clubs expected to make strong offers to lure James away from the Cavaliers, where his dreams of bringing a first NBA title to Cleveland has ended in disappointment.

James won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player honor this season but the Cavaliers were ousted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA playoffs last month.

The Cavaliers, who fired coach Mike Brown after the playoff ouster, can pay James 30 million dollars more than any rival in a maximum-length contract deal if they choose.

James is among a blockbuster free agent class this year that also includes Miami's Dwyane Wade, Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire, Atlanta's Joe Johnson, Utah's Carlos Boozer and Toronto's Chris Bosh.

Source: News

Posted by Jessie James