Cleveland Cavaliers News

According to ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard, quoting an unnamed source close to Ariza, says LeBron James told free-agent forward Trevor Ariza that he plans to remain in Cleveland after his contract expires in 2010.

“Trevor asked LeBron if he would be in Cleveland after next season,” the source said. “And LeBron said, ‘I’ll be there. Of course, I’ll be there.’”

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry and head coach Mike Brown flew to Los Angeles and met with Ariza on Sunday.

Ariza received telephone calls from James and Shaquille O’Neal but he opted to stay with the Rockets.

Ariza who had already accepted a five-year, $33.5 million offer from the Rockets last Thursday received telephone calls from James and Shaquille O’Neal but as of now, he remains committed to the Rockets.

According to the article, many factors led to Ariza’s decision to remain with the Rockets:
“First, his toddler son lives in Los Angeles with his mother and Ariza liked that Houston was a much shorter flight than Cleveland. Second, Adelman promised him the Rockets would feature him offensively while the Cavaliers refused to guarantee him a starting job. Instead, the Cavs told him he’d be given a legitimate chance to compete for the spot against last year’s starter, Delonte West.”