Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) during the fourth quarter in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers and free agent LeBron James are in no hurry to sit down and discuss a new contract.
James is not planning to entertain other offers and the Cavaliers have been busy as they attempt to solidify their roster.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, has made it known to the Cavs that serious talks on a new deal for James will not take place until a new contract for restricted free agent Tristan Thompson is in place, according to ESPN.com. Paul also represents Thompson.
James is widely expected to re-sign with the Cavs and the contract reportedly will be straightforward — one year, $22 million, with a player’s option for next summer.
The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player elected to decline the player option he held as part of the two-year contract signed last summer with the Cavs to do another one-year pact covering the 2015-16 season and re-enter unrestricted free agency again next summer.
Based on a new revenue from television and digital rights contracts, James could receive a five-year deal worth up to $200 million in 2016 because the Cavaliers hold his Larry Bird Rights, the clause in the current collective bargaining agreement that entices players to re-sign with their current team.
ESPN reported that after making initial progress on a deal with Thompson on Wednesday, the talks have stalled. The Cavs agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal with Kevin Love and a four-year, $40 million deal with Iman Shumpert on the first day of free agency.
—The Cavs also have been courting free agent forward David West, who opted out of his $12.6 million deal with the Indiana Pacers. West reportedly is willing to take less to play for a contender.
James has not been involved in the recruitment of free agents until his own free agency is settled.
—After striking out in their attempts to land several high-profile free agents, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of acquiring center Roy Hibbert from the Indiana Pacers.
According to multiple reports, the Pacers and Lakers reached agreement on a deal Saturday that can’t be completed until the NBA moratorium on signings ends after July 9.
USA Today reported that the Pacers will receive cash and future draft picks in exchange for Hibbert. The 7-foot-2 Hibbert’s seven years with the Pacers were marked by ups and downs. Pacers president Larry Bird told reporters after the season that Hibbert would play a less prominent role with the team in 2015-16 had he decided to stay.
Last season, Hibbert averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game, but his minutes were reduced late in the year and the Pacers missed the playoffs.
—Free agent guard Lou Williams, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2014-2015, agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the Lakers, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.
Williams played last season with the Toronto Raptors, averaging a career-best 15.5 points in 80 games.
—The San Antonio Spurs are optimistic that they can convince veteran guard Manu Ginobili to play one more season.
Ginobili, 37, still hasn’t decided whether he is coming back for his 14th season, but after power forward LaMarcus Aldridge left the Portland Trail Blazers to join the Spurs, the franchise is lobbying hard for Ginobili to return, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Ginobili had said Tim Duncan’s decision would affect whether he returned for another season. Duncan announced he would play his 19th season on Thursday.
Aldridge announced Saturday that he was joining the Spurs. His deal will be a four-year maximum contract worth more than $80 million, with an opt-out after the third year, according to ESPN.
—Kevin Durant is working his way back from three foot surgeries within the past year and hopes to be ready to return to the court without restrictions in August.
Durant’s 2014-15 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder ended in March with his third foot surgery. His recovery time was estimated at four to six months, and he expects to be fully cleared next month.
“We’re doing X-rays every two weeks and it’s looking good,” Durant said. “So I’m excited to get back, man. There’s no pain, and looking forward to getting back.”
The 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player’s workouts are limited to taking shots on the floor. He is not doing any running or cutting before he gets the go-ahead.
—Free agent guard C.J. Watson and the Orlando Magic have agreed on a three-year deal worth $15 million, according to multiple reports.
Last season with the Indiana Pacers, Watson averaged 10.0 points, 3.6 assists and 1.8 turnovers per game.
—The New Orleans Pelicans and forward Dante Cunningham agreed to a three-year extension worth about $9 million.
Cunningham played in 66 games last season and started 27. He averaged 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while earning a reputation as a solid defender.
—The New York Knicks added more frontcourt depth with the acquisition of center-power forward Kyle O’Quinn from the Orlando Magic.
In a sign-and-trade deal, the Magic will receive cash considerations and the right to swap second-round draft picks with the Knicks in 2019, according to Yahoo Sports.
In return, the Knicks receive the 25-year-old Quinn, an aggressive frontcourt player who averaged 5.8 points and just under four rebounds per game for the Magic last season.
