NBA 2016-17 Season Signings and Team Roster Predictions: LeBron James Signs with Cleveland Cavaliers for 3-year $100 million Deal, Urges J.R. Smith to Re-sign with Cavs
In a not so surprising move, LeBron James re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. What people wanted to know is how much he will sign for, and everyone's anticipating a record-breaking deal after the best player in the planet delivered a championship trophy to Cleveland as promised.
Highest Paid Player in the NBA
LeBron James re-signed with a 3-year contract worth $100 million. This season, LeBron James will get $31 million, making him the highest paid player in the league. Moreover, in the 2017-18 NBA Season, LeBron James will get the heftiest pay in the history of the NBA worth $33 million.
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James averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists last season, and showed why he is the best player in NBA during the post-season, putting one big game after another to lead the team to the 2016 NBA Championship.
In a video posted in the Uninterrupted, James said, "I'm re-signing back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, man, my hometown team. I can't be more excited in this opportunity once again, man, to defend our crown ,defend our title. Last year was magical, inspiring, all the words you can come up with, man, it was unbelievable season. I just can't wait to get the group back together."
J.R. Smith Still a Free Agent
LeBron James also mentioned J.R. Smith at the end of the video, saying "let's get J.R. done." He's referring to the fact that Smith is still a free agent, because he hasn't struck a deal yet with GM David Griffin.
However, reports are saying that the Cleveland Cavaliers are doing everything they can to bring J.R. Smith back to the team's roster for more than just another season.
According to Steve Kyler of basketballinsiders.com, the general consensus is that "a new agreement is going to happen" between Smith and the Cavs.
In addition, Kyler said that Smith's camp isn't too worried about the salary that he will get. They know that the shooting guard will get the pay he deserves; an annual salary within the proximity of $10 million.
Cavs: the Team to Beat
With the signing of LeBron James, there is no question the Cavaliers will once again be favorites to become the NBA 2017-18 Eastern Conference Champions. And they have a strong shot at winning the NBA Championship again, especially if Smith finally makes re-signing with the Cavs a reality. That means the original best players of the Cavs are still with the team: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love, along with other crucial role players Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson, Iman Shumpert and Mo Williams.
