Planet Sport

LeBron James will consider signing a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.

The newspaper reported that the superstar forward may ink a deal with his hometown club after the season, well before he can decline the $17.4 million player's option on his current contract in the much-anticipated summer of 2010.

It has widely been assumed that James would become a free agent and make himself available to the highest bidder. James doesn't see that as a foregone conclusion.

"You play out this season of course; I will consider it," James told the Plain Dealer. "The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more."

It is no surprise that James is feeling good in Cleveland, which has started the season with a franchise-best 22-4 record.

That, apparently, has gone a long way toward convincing James to at least think about staying with the Cavaliers, who figured to have to battle with the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers and a host of other teams for LeBron's services.

"I definitely want to keep an open mind. I will look at everything," James said in the report. "(The extension) is a good point. I think me and my group have pretty much made good decisions so far, and we'll look at the options and go from there."