Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James re-signed with the team on Thursday.
According to ESPN, the deal is for three years and $100 million. There is a player option for the third year. James will make $31 million in the first year, which makes him the highest-paid player in the NBA. His salary for the 2017-18 season will top $33 million, which will make him the highest-paid player in a single season in NBA history. James announced the decision to stay with the Cavaliers in a video on Uninterrupted.
"I just want to let y'all know I'm re-signing back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, my hometown team," James said. “I can't be more excited than this opportunity once again, man, to defend our crown, defend our title. We all know last year as a magical, inspiring -- all the words you can come up with -- it was an unbelievable season. I just can't wait to get the group back together man, the team, the franchise, and more importantly get everybody together."
On Friday James posted a pic on Instagram of him apparently signing the deal.
James averaged 25.3 points, six rebounds, and 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals in the regular season and 30.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in the playoffs as he led the Cavaliers to their first NBA title last year, according to NBA.com. He has averaged 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds,6.9 assists, and 1.7 steals in his career and is the franchise leader in points scored, scoring average, field goals made, three-pointers made, free throws made, assists, steals, and minutes played. James is an 11-time All-Star, a four-time MVP, and has won two NBA titles.
Fans talked about the King staying in Cleveland on Twitter.