LeBron's new deal shows faith in Cavs

LeBron James loves the Cavaliers and his new contract says as much.

And some people close to James say he's never been happier. Not in his first stint with the Cavs. Not in his four-year excursion with the Heat. Not ever.

James delivered on a promise to bring a championship to his hometown team. Some friends and folks in his inner circle say James has always been a good guy -- but that things are different this summer.

This summer, it seems as if James can't stop smiling. His world is complete. He isn't just a champion. He is a Cleveland champion.

It means as much to James as it does to fans from Northeast Ohio. James is from here, too.

Back to the contract. It's for a reported three years and $100 million.

Yes, the Cavs could offer James a larger contract than anyone else. But remember when that didn't matter?

James signed the deal for three reasons, in no order:

1. He loves his city, which is why he came back in the first place.

2. He loves the Cavs.

3. He loves the contract.

Everyone sort of assumed James would sign another deal that would allow him to opt out after one season. That way he could enter free agency again next summer.

Instead, James is locked in for two, with a reported player option prior to year three.

He is 31 years old, on his way to 32 at midseason. That's not necessarily rocking chair time -- and with the way LeBron takes care of himself, he could have five or six really good years left.

Those close to James say he wants to spend all of them with the Cavs.

EVERYDAY STAR

You don't need to talk to James to see he's enjoying life. All you need to do is take a quick spin on the Internet.

He seems to be posting more videos and pictures to social media. That includes one of him getting ready for a softball game, where he's just hanging out and pretending to be one of his city's non-celebrities.

He also posted a picture of himself sitting at a little table and signing his contract with the Cavs. It looked like something you'd find in a small suburban newspaper -- as if James were a high school senior joyfully inking a letter of intent to play for Hiram College.

James even announced his new deal in a website video. It looked as if he simply held the phone, pressed play and started talking. Just like any other regular guy. It was hardly a movie-star production.

It was more like the production of an NBA superstar who really is still just a kid from Akron.

“We all know last year was magical, inspiring, all the words you can come up with,” James said in the video on Uninterupted. “I just can’t wait to get the group back together.”

TEAM EFFORT

Not to be lost in this is how much James believes in the basketball (and business) side of the Cavs.

General manager David Griffin has made tons of shrewd moves to build a championship team.

Among them was improving the practice and locker room atmosphere with the promotion of coach Tyronn Lue at midseason.

Griffin has also found a way to mix in older veterans with younger talent such as Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. And anyone who knows the NBA knows playoff experience is vital. No one wins with youth alone.

James notices all this. He notices how Cavs owner Dan Gilbert will pay whatever it takes, luxury tax be darned, to compete for a title. Gilbert will do it again and again, and James knows it.

All are reasons why James wants to stay in his home city with his hometown team, and try to bring home another championship.

Mostly, all are reasons why it appears the king of Cleveland basketball is exactly where he wants to be.