NBA | LeBron James leaving? Talk irks Cavaliers owner

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — LeBron James may wear a New York Yankees hat everywhere from his hometown of Akron to Beijing, but Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert thinks rampant speculation the superstar will leave Cleveland in two years is "an insult to the city."

Gilbert said James has given him no indication he plans to leave for New York after his contract expires in 2010. Gilbert called the talk of James' departure nothing more than conjecture from bored sports reporters.

"It's kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland, in my opinion — an insult to the Midwest," said Gilbert, who spoke at the Cavaliers' practice facility Thursday, a few days before the team opens training camp.

James has two years remaining on a contract extension he signed with the Cavaliers in July 2006. He has said he can't see himself playing anywhere else right now and has declined to address what will happen in two years.

But his fondness for New York has helped prompt speculation he will leave Cleveland for the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets, who are partly owned by his good friend, rap mogul Jay-Z.

James riled Cleveland fans last October when he attended an Indians playoff game against New York wearing a Yankees cap. He was wearing one again earlier this month on the sideline of the Dallas Cowboys — another of his favorite teams — before the Browns' season opener.

James' loyalty has been questioned by everyone in Cleveland from fans to newspaper columnists to Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who earlier this month said, "LeBron isn't a Cleveland guy ... who knows if he even likes the Cavaliers?"

Edwards backtracked a few days later, saying it was only a sarcastic joke.

Discussions on a contract extension for James are still two summers away, Gilbert said.

Notes

• Golden State guard Monta Ellis suffered a severely sprained ankle in a moped accident in his native Mississippi last month, the Warriors confirmed. Ellis originally told the team he was hurt while working out. Ellis underwent surgery last month to repair a torn deltoid ligament. The Warriors still haven't decided whether Ellis will be fined for participating in an offseason activity prohibited in the guard's new six-year, $66 million contract. Ellis will miss training camp and at least several weeks of the regular season.

• The Rockets matched the Charlotte Bobcats' three-year, $9 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Carl Landry, keeping the forward in Houston.

• Allan Houston signed with the New York Knicks and will attempt another comeback with his former team. Houston is fourth on the Knicks' career scoring list, trailing only Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier and Willis Reed.

• Los Angeles Lakers rookie Sun Yue has mononucleosis and is expected to miss the opening of training camp next week.

• Swingman Francisco Garcia agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Sacramento Kings. Garcia averaged 12.3 points and 2.9 rebounds last season.

• Forwards Udonis Haslem (foot) and Dorell Wright (knee) are expected to be sidelined because of injuries when the Miami Heat opens training camp Saturday morning.