LeBron says he wants to keep his options open
LeBron James
LeBron James indicated Friday that he is unlikely to accept a contract extension from the Cleveland Cavaliers until after the 2009-10 season and presumably will become a free agent.
 At an event in his hometown to unveil Nike Air Max LeBron VII  the latest sneaker in his signature line  James made his strongest comments yet about his future. The NBA's reigning MVP said he signed a three-year contract in 2006 to give him more options once it expires.
 The Cavaliers offered James a contract extension on July 18  the three-year anniversary of the signing of his current contract. The team could offer the extension -- at the highest salary allowed -- of up to three years. James can sign the extension offer anytime before June 30  2010.
 James  who will make $15.7 million next season  also has an option in his current contract that can extend his deal through the 2010-11 season.
 However  it appears for now that James does not intend to sign the extension or pick up his one-year option for $17.1 million anytime soon.
 The 24-year-old superstar said his agent  Leon Rose  and Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry have had "a great conversation." But James remained noncommittal about his plans beyond the upcoming season  one he hopes ends with the Cavs  who acquired All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal shortly after their season ended  winning their first NBA title.
 James was similarly positioned in 2006  when he decided to sign a three-year extension with the Cavs.
 Despite JamesJames' insistence that he's happy in Cleveland  his choice to delay his decision is certain to spark more speculation that he'll sign with another club next summer. James has maintained that he's pleased with the Cavs' direction  owner Dan Gilbert and Ferry's attempts to add more talent to Cleveland's roster.
 James said he isn't worried about his contract situation becoming a distraction.
 Following an elaborate multimedia presentation by Nike  James  who will embark on a tour promoting his new shoe and "More Than A Game " a documentary chronicling his days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School  answered questions about O'Neal and Magic forward Rashard Lewis' 10-game suspension for testing positive for an elevated testosterone level.
 James also reiterated his Thursday comments in which he said he regretted not doing a mandatory postgame media session after the Cavaliers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Orlando Magic. But he also said that he didn't think he owed anyone an apology for failing to shake hands with the Magic players immediately after the series ended.
 James offered sympathy to Lewis  who admitted taking an over-the-counter supplement late last season that included a substance he did not realize was banned by the league.
 "It's unfortunate " James said. "I know Rashard really well and I know he's not that type of guy who would do anything to get the upper edge on another player  that's first and foremost. You just have to use great judgment. We have guys with us every day who can find out for you if it (a substance) is banned or not banned by the NBA. A mistake by him."
 James said he is looking forward to being teammates with O'Neal  one of the few athletes on the planet as recognizable as James himself.
 "To get the opportunity to play with one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game  that's the fun part for me " James said. "I'm humbled by that."
[TGT] indicated Friday that [TGT] is unlikely to accept a contract extension from the Cleveland Cavaliers until after the 2009-10 season and presumably will become a free agent.
 At an event in [TGT] hometown to unveil Nike Air Max LeBron VII  the latest sneaker in [TGT] signature line  [TGT] made [TGT] strongest comments yet about [TGT] future. The NBA's reigning MVP said he signed a three-year contract in 2006 to give him more options once it expires.
 The Cavaliers offered [TGT] a contract extension on July 18  the three-year anniversary of the signing of his current contract. The team could offer the extension -- at the highest salary allowed -- of up to three years. [TGT] can sign the extension offer anytime before June 30  2010.
 [TGT]who will make $15.7 million next season  also has an option in [TGT] current contract that can extend [TGT] deal through the 2010-11 season.
 However  it appears for now that [TGT] does not intend to sign the extension or pick up [TGT] one-year option for $17.1 million anytime soon.
 The 24-year-old superstar said his agent  Leon Rose  and Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry have had "a great conversation." But [TGT] remained noncommittal about [TGT] plans beyond the upcoming season  one [TGT] hopes ends with the Cavs  who acquired All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal shortly after their season ended  winning their first NBA title.
 [TGT] was similarly positioned in 2006  when [TGT] decided to sign a three-year extension with the Cavs.
 Despite JamesJames' insistence that [TGT]'s happy in Cleveland  [TGT] choice to delay [TGT] decision is certain to spark more speculation that [TGT]'ll sign with another club next summer. [TGT] has maintained that [TGT]'s pleased with the Cavs' direction  owner Dan Gilbert and Ferry's attempts to add more talent to Cleveland's roster.
 [TGT] said [TGT] isn't worried about [TGT] contract situation becoming a distraction.
 Following an elaborate multimedia presentation by Nike  [TGT]who will embark on a tour promoting [TGT] new shoe and "More Than A Game " a documentary chronicling [TGT] days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School  answered questions about O'Neal and Magic forward Rashard Lewis' 10-game suspension for testing positive for an elevated testosterone level.
 [TGT] also reiterated [TGT] Thursday comments in which [TGT] said [TGT] regretted not doing a mandatory postgame media session after the Cavaliers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Orlando Magic. But [TGT] also said that [TGT] didn't think [TGT] owed anyone an apology for failing to shake hands with the Magic players immediately after the series ended.
 [TGT] offered sympathy to Lewis  who admitted taking an over-the-counter supplement late last season that included a substance [TGT] did not realize was banned by the league.
 "It's unfortunate [TGT] said. "I know Rashard really well and I know he's not that type of guy who would do anything to get the upper edge on another player  that's first and foremost. You just have to use great judgment. We have guys with us every day who can find out for you if it (a substance) is banned or not banned by the NBA. A mistake by him."
 [TGT] said [TGT] is looking forward to being teammates with O'Neal  one of the few athletes on the planet as recognizable as James himself.
 "To get the opportunity to play with one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game  that's the fun part for me " [TGT] said. "I'm humbled by that."