LeBron James returning to Cleveland, going "nowhere"

CLEVELAND, June 22 (UPI) -- His champagne stained smile was contagious Wednesday on the streets of Cleveland.

But LeBron James' words made Cavaliers fans grin with permanence as the icing on its NBA Finals cake.

During its championship parade, following its comeback against the Golden State Warriors Sunday, Cavaliers fans had their worries subdued. James told Cleveland.com that he had no intention of leaving northeast Ohio.

More than 20,000 fans greeted James and his teammates Monday at the Cleveland airport, following its arrival from Oakland. Hundreds of thousands of fans packed into gridlock for the celebratory parade, selling out hotels and buying up fresh merchandise.

"I love it here. I love being here. I love my teammates," James told Cleveland.com.

James, now a three-time NBA Champion, could exercise a one-year, $24 million option this offseason to stay with the Cavaliers.

"Obviously my agent will take care of all the logistical things, but I'm happy. I've got no plans to go nowhere at this point."

"This is the happiest time in my life right now," James told Cleveland.com.

In July 2014, James told Sports Illustrated that he was leaving Miami, and the two championships he won there, in order to return home. In the essay, James paid homage to the area where he walked, ran, cried, and bled.

"It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I'm their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now," James told Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins.

Then he went onto explain the hardships his homeland has gone through and how he promised to work to turn around its championship drought.

"When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn't had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what's most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio," James told Sports Illustrated.

Then the 4-time NBA MVP began his predictions, something he has not always 'chosen' correctly.

"I'm not promising a championship," James said nearly two years ago. "I know how hard that is to deliver. We're not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I'm realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that."

The 31-year-old could negotiate terms with different teams, as a free agent, July 1. For now, he will continue to ball for the Buckeye State.

James steered the Cavaliers as it faced an NBA Finals series deficit that had never been overcome.

After the Cavaliers dropped Game 4, he relished in his veteran role.

"That's going to be my job, getting players to believe that this isn't over," James told Cleveland.com on June 10. "Me personally, I'm good, but I know what type of challenge we're up against and it's going to be up to me to prepare my teammates for that."

Last year, James became the first player in NBA history to lead both NBA Finals teams in points, rebounds, and assists. This year James exceeded his historical expectations once again, becoming the first player to lead any series in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

And he did it against the best regular season team in NBA history.

'King James' is expected to take it easy this offseason and duck out of the Olympics, according to the Vertical.

After playing 8,383 minutes in 199 career playoff games and riding in one raucous parade, he should have an epic nap ahead.