Unnamed sources say the craziest things!

Sources: LeBron denies Ariza's story
ESPN.com

LeBron James did not tell Trevor Ariza he would stay in Cleveland past 2010, according to sources close to the Cavaliers' superstar -- contradicting what a person close to Ariza said Monday night.

That source said that James told Ariza he planned to remain with the Cavaliers past next summer, when he can become a free agent. James could not be reached for comment Monday night, but on Tuesday, sources who spoke to James said the story told by the person close to Ariza was wrong.



James' conversation with Ariza was, according to the Ariza source, part of the Cavaliers' attempt to make Ariza the next Hedo Turkoglu, who backed out of his promise last week to join Portland and instead accepted a deal with Toronto.

Over the weekend, general manager Danny Ferry and head coach Mike Brown flew to Los Angeles and met with Ariza on Sunday, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation.

Ariza, who had accepted a five-year, $33.5 million offer from the Rockets last Thursday, also received telephone calls from James and Shaquille O'Neal. Ariza asked James about his future plans with the Cavs, and then told a person close to him James said he was staying in Cleveland long term.

"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.' "

Oh, ESPN. Will you ever get it right? I love the fact that Broussard is both pushing and denying one of his own stories. It's like Angel Broussard is saying Lebron is staying and Devil Broussard is saying 'not so fast my friend.' If the whole company wasn't the 24-hour sports whore it has grown to be they could stop and realize Lebron is a Cav for one more year...at least. Let's leave it at that. It's a non issue. Also I'm glad to see Trevor Ariza is becoming our new media darling. I'm washing my hands of him. Have fun in Sucktown Ariza!

P.S. - The next time you're looking for the real scoop on Lebron don't turn to ESPN. Just fast forward this video to the 10 second mark for an explanation that's probably about as good as what the WWL could get you.