LeBron May Choose New Deal With Cavs Over 2010 Free Agency

James Makes First Public Comments About  Possibly Re-Signing With Cavs In 2010

Cavaliers F LeBron James Saturday said that he is "going to consider signing an extension" with the team this summer, "well before he can become an unrestricted free agent" after the 2009-10 season, according to Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. James: "You play out this season of course; I will consider it. The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more." This marks the first time James has "publicly talked about signing this summer instead of waiting until 2010." James: "I definitely want to keep an open mind, I will look at everything. (The extension) is a good point." James' sponsorship agreement with Nike also expires in 2010, and "many have assumed he'll negotiate that new deal at about the same time." But James holds a "three-year extension clause in the Nike deal he can activate if he so chooses," and Windhorst noted his "yearly salary with Nike could actually be higher now than what he could get with a new deal, especially considering the state of the economy and the general downturn in athlete endorsements." In addition, James' Nike contract does not have a clause that would "pay him more if he plays in a major market" like N.Y. or L.A., a "fact that has been misreported at times." When James first signed with Nike in '03, there were "some incentives for being" in N.Y., L.A. or Chicago, but "those have since expired." Windhorst reported there is "still a good chance James will do a new deal with Nike" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 12/21).