AKRON, Ohio — LeBron James is going to make the Cleveland Cavaliers wait — and sweat.
James indicated Friday that he is unlikely to accept a contract extension from the Cavaliers until after the 2009-10 season and presumably will become a free agent.
The NBA’s reigning MVP said he signed a three-year contract in 2006 to give him more options once it expires.
“I signed a contract in 2006 with an option, and it would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn’t keep my options open,” he said. “I’ll let you fill in the blanks.”
James, who will make $15.7 million next season, also has an option in his contract that can extend his deal through the 2010-11 season. However, it appears for now James does not intend to sign the extension or pick up his one-year option for $17.1 million anytime soon.
• Four-time defensive player of the year Ben Wallace, who helped Detroit win the 2004 NBA title, is rejoining the Pistons with a $1.3 million, one-year deal.
• The Atlanta Hawks re-signed forward Marvin Williams, agreeing to a five-year, $37.5 million deal with incentives that could raise the package to as much as $43 million. Williams averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds during his fourth season with the Hawks.
• The Boston Celtics signed free- agent center/forward Shelden Williams, who averaged 4.9 points and five rebounds in 15 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
Hardy sets 100 breaststroke mark
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Jessica Hardy broke the world record in the 100-meter breaststroke by nearly half a second at the U.S. Open.
The American was timed in 1 minute, 4.45 seconds, lowering the previous mark of 1:04.84 set by American Rebecca Soni at last month’s world championships in Rome.
Florida tops USA Today poll.
Defending national champion Florida tops the USA Today preseason football coaches’ poll, receiving 53 of 59 first-place votes.
Texas was second in the poll, followed by Oklahoma, Southern California, Alabama, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Penn State, LSU and Mississippi. Texas had four first-place votes, and Oklahoma and Southern California each had one.
The Associated Press preseason top 25 will be released Aug. 22.
Footnotes.
Alana Beard had 15 points and six assists to lead the Washington Mystics to a 70-66 WNBA victory over the visiting Detroit Shock.
• Renee Montgomery scored a career-high 24 points, Nicky Anosike had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Connecticut Sun 95-88 in Minneapolis.
• Janel McCarville scored 18 points and the New York Liberty beat the host Sacramento Monarchs 84-66 to snap a five-game losing streak and give interim coach Anne Donovan her first win.
• Gio Ponti will start from the sixth post position in today’s Arlington Million and is the 5-2 favorite among nine horses in the 27th running of the turf race.
The Associated Press
