ducks
04-15-2005, 08:02 PM
CAVALIERS INSIDER
James, agent put rumors to rest
Friday, April 15, 2005
Rumors have circulated that LeBron James will force the Cavaliers to trade him to the New York Knicks at the end of the season.
The major reasoning, according to a New York newspaper, is that James' Nike contract has a clause where he will make more money in a major market, like New York. The rumors began to snowball earlier this week when film maker Spike Lee, a longtime Knicks' fan, told reporters that there was no guarantee that James will remain with the Cavs.
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James' agent, Aaron Goodwin, has also heard the rumors and he doesn't like them.
"The problem with journalism now days is that people write things based on rumors and innuendoes," Goodwin said. "If it doesn't come out of my mouth or LeBron James' mouth, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. He's addressed it and I've addressed it by saying there's not truth to it."
James addressed the issue following practice on Wednesday.
"The fans in the city of Cleveland have nothing to worry about at this point," James said. "I'm here."
Goodwin said that James wants to win a championship with the Cavs. "The kid is looking forward to making it to the playoffs," Goodwin said. "He believes that the Gilberts will do what they've said and build a team around him."
James becomes a restricted free agent in 2007.
Leave of absence:
Center Scott Williams was given permission to leave the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Williams is with his family in Arizona.
In a recent interview, the 15-year veteran said that he would retire at the end of this season. Williams, 37, who did not return messages left on his cell phone, has spent most of the season on the injured list.
He signed a $1.6 million deal with the team during the fall to provide leadership and back up center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Minutes:
James is second in the league, averaging 42.1 minutes per game. There was a stretch recently where James averaged 47.8 minutes per game, which included playing 53 minutes in two overtime games.
"I'm not hurting," James said. "I told my teammates if they feel like I'm hurting them to let me know. If I start hurting, I'll come out. Our season is just a couple more months. I'll rest in the off-season."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-6136
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1113557575251570.xml
James, agent put rumors to rest
Friday, April 15, 2005
Rumors have circulated that LeBron James will force the Cavaliers to trade him to the New York Knicks at the end of the season.
The major reasoning, according to a New York newspaper, is that James' Nike contract has a clause where he will make more money in a major market, like New York. The rumors began to snowball earlier this week when film maker Spike Lee, a longtime Knicks' fan, told reporters that there was no guarantee that James will remain with the Cavs.
Advertisement
Click Here
James' agent, Aaron Goodwin, has also heard the rumors and he doesn't like them.
"The problem with journalism now days is that people write things based on rumors and innuendoes," Goodwin said. "If it doesn't come out of my mouth or LeBron James' mouth, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. He's addressed it and I've addressed it by saying there's not truth to it."
James addressed the issue following practice on Wednesday.
"The fans in the city of Cleveland have nothing to worry about at this point," James said. "I'm here."
Goodwin said that James wants to win a championship with the Cavs. "The kid is looking forward to making it to the playoffs," Goodwin said. "He believes that the Gilberts will do what they've said and build a team around him."
James becomes a restricted free agent in 2007.
Leave of absence:
Center Scott Williams was given permission to leave the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Williams is with his family in Arizona.
In a recent interview, the 15-year veteran said that he would retire at the end of this season. Williams, 37, who did not return messages left on his cell phone, has spent most of the season on the injured list.
He signed a $1.6 million deal with the team during the fall to provide leadership and back up center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Minutes:
James is second in the league, averaging 42.1 minutes per game. There was a stretch recently where James averaged 47.8 minutes per game, which included playing 53 minutes in two overtime games.
"I'm not hurting," James said. "I told my teammates if they feel like I'm hurting them to let me know. If I start hurting, I'll come out. Our season is just a couple more months. I'll rest in the off-season."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-6136
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1113557575251570.xml