The dust has settled around LeBron James and free agency has begun to finally move forward, after the entire league was essentially in a holding pattern while waiting for him to make his decision.
All that was left for the Cavaliers to make the signing official, which they did on Saturday by issuing a somewhat lengthy, and predictably gushing release.
“We could not be happier to welcome LeBron James home. Yesterday, LeBron, through his essay, told us he wasn’t going anywhere except Cleveland and that ‘Cleveland is where he always believed he would finish his career.’ These words and commitment put all of us, including LeBron, in the best position to build our franchise the right way and achieve the kind of goals we all know are possible. Expectations will be at the highest levels but no one should expect immediate and automatic success,” said Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.
“LeBron’s motivation to return home is clearly fueled by the kind of emotions and ideals that we can and should embrace. The contract and those details are secondary to his commitment to Northeast Ohio and the Cavaliers. It extends well beyond the boundaries of basketball and speak to his love and passion for his family, home, and our fans. He communicated his role and growth as a husband, father, teammate, community leader, and business person. This resonated in a special and personal way for all of us. LeBron put it well when he stated; ‘In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned.’ We can’t wait to get started and look forward to his leadership, on and off the court, for many years to come.”
Interestingly enough, those contract details that Griffin mentioned are reportedly just for two years -- although that is about James making sure he’ll have the opportunity to make the most money possible over the long haul due to a new television deal and a new collective bargaining agreement that are on the way, more than it is his desire to possibly play anywhere else.
The honeymoon is likely to be an extended one where James and the Cavaliers are concerned. His decisions for going home were genuine and heartfelt, and while the release was a mere formality, it’ll make a nice souvenir for Cleveland fans who never thought this day would come.
