CLEVELAND — The 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James have signed a new multiyear contract, General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
"We are very fortunate to have a championship group together," said Griffin. "One that has grown organically to trust, and sacrifice for one another - on and off the floor. At the core of that group is LeBron. His leadership, passion and tireless commitment are the hallmarks of our success and have inspired our entire franchise. His connection and dedication to his community and this fan base are absolute. We share his determination to win at the highest level and can't wait to get back to work, together to defend our title."
James, a four-time MVP, 12-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion, appeared in 76 games (all starts) for the Cavaliers in 2015-16, averaging an Eastern Conference-best 25.3 points (fifth in NBA) on .520 shooting from the field (14th in NBA), 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists (ninth in NBA) and 1.4 steals in 35.6 minutes per game. It was James' 12th consecutive season averaging at least 25.0 points, which is a new NBA record (previous was 11 straight seasons by Karl Malone from 1987-88 to 1997-98 and Jerry West from 1961-62 to 1971-72). James, the only player in 2015-16 to shoot over .500 from the field with averages of at least 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists, was an NBA All-Star starter for the 12th straight season and All-NBA First Team selection for the ninth year in a row. He earned the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month a league-best three times in 2015-16 (February, March and April), as well as the Player of the Week award an NBA-high tying five times (weeks ending Nov. 22, Jan. 10, March 6, March 27 and April 3).
James started in all 21 games during the Cavs' championship run in the 2016 Playoffs, recording 13 double-doubles (two triple-doubles) and averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, a postseason career-high 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 39.1 minutes per game. In the 2016 NBA Finals win against Golden State, James, who was named Finals MVP, helped the Cavaliers become the first team in league history to overcome a 3-1 Finals deficit while leading the series in points (208, 29.7), rebounds (79, 11.3), assists (62, 8.9), steals (18, 2.6) and blocks (16, 2.3). He was the first player in NBA Playoff history to lead a series in every major statistical category. James is just the fifth NBA player to have three Finals MVPs, joining Michael Jordan (six), Shaquille O'Neal (three), Tim Duncan (three) and Magic Johnson (three).
The 6-8 forward scored in double figures in all 76 regular season games in 2015-16, increasing his consecutive double-digit scoring streak to 717 (third-longest streak in NBA history). In addition to scoring in double figures every game he appeared in, James had 63 games of at least 20 points and 18 games of at least 30 points. He also registered 28 double-doubles and three triple-doubles. After concluding his 13th NBA season with 26,833 career points, James climbed all the way up to No. 11 on the NBA's all-time scoring list, passing Oscar Robertson (26,710), Dominique Wilkins (26,668), Tim Duncan (26,496), John Havlicek (26,395), Paul Pierce (26,316), Kevin Garnett (26,071), Alex English (25,613), Reggie Miller (25,279) and Jerry West (25,192) this past season. He also moved up to 18th place in assists (6,815), joining Oscar Robertson (9,887) as the only players in NBA history to rank in the Top 25 in both points and assists.
The Akron, Ohio native remains the franchise's all-time regular season leader in points scored (18,914), scoring average (27.3), field goals made (6,776), three-pointers made (978), free throws made (4,384), assists (4,835) and steals (1,168), while ranking third in rebounds (4,842) and fourth in blocks (580). Over his 13-year NBA career, James has appeared in 987 regular season games (986 starts) with averages of 27.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 39.0 minutes, while shooting .498 from the floor, .340 from three-point range and .744 from the foul line. For his postseason career, James has appeared in 199 contests (all starts) with averages of 28.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 42.1 minutes per game.