Richard Jefferson not ready to retire, returning for 17th NBA season

Ron Clements

Richard Jefferson not ready to retire, returning for 17th NBA season image

There might be a reason why LeBron James wasn't actively recruiting players to the Cavaliers. Maybe he knew the Cavs were keeping the gang together.

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After re-signing Kyle Korver, the Cavs will also get veteran forward Richard Jefferson back.

Jefferson, who is 37, said Wednesday he will return for a 17th NBA season and third with the Cavaliers. The 6-7 forward made the announcement on the "Road Trippin'" podcast hosted on LeBron James' "Uninterrupted" multimedia platform, via ESPN.com . With Jefferson back, the Cavaliers active roster is at 12 players. 

The 6-7 forward will play the second year of a three-year deal for $2.5 million and could earn $2.6 million the following season, but would likely opt out. He will also save the Cavs some money because the team would have to fill his spot on the 12-man roster with all or part of the taxpayer's mid-level exception ($5.2 million) or with a veteran's minimum contract that would probably be higher than what they'll pay Jefferson.

Jefferson averaged 5.7 points in 79 regular-season games and 3.9 points in just 12.8 minutes per game during the postseason. 

Ron Clements