Communication lines are still open between LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers

While James does not plan to commit to anything regarding his future until after July 1, he is not operating in a blackout with the Cavs -- the team and James continue to be in contact.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerLeBron James is maintaining communication with Cavaliers officials, but he still has no plans to sign a new deal with the team before July 1.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — When Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo said he did not speak with LeBron James before turning down the Cavaliers' offer to become head coach earlier this week, it shook up some Cavaliers fans.

With James choosing not to take an active part in the Cavs' coaching search, it was assumed by some -- and reported by some media outlets -- the franchise player and the organization were not communicating. With his free agency now just a couple weeks away, that was interpreted as James putting distance between himself and the home team.

But while James does not plan to commit to anything regarding his future until after July 1, he is not operating in a blackout with the Cavs.

According to both a team source and a source close to James, the Cavs and the two-time Most Valuable Player continue to be in contact. Both sides said the communication has been standard for the off-season.

James has met face-to-face with team officials recently, and the Cavs' front office has been in regular contact with Leon Rose, James' agent.

The Cavs have been in contact with all of their potential free agents, including Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jawad Williams.

Publicly, the Cavs have declined to discuss their recent communications with James, which fed speculation the sides were not talking.

James has said he would not talk to potential coaching candidates, but it is possible James has been consulted on what types of candidates the Cavs pursue.

James has until June 30 to pick up his player option of $17.1 million for next season, which he is not expected to do, or to sign an extension of his current contract with the Cavs. By letting the contract expire and then starting over with a new deal with the Cavs or another team, James would lose about $1.9 million on a maximum contract over the next three seasons because of the shrinking salary cap.

View full sizeAPByron Scott.

For this reason, the Cavs are expected to offer James a max extension before July 1 and might already have. However, all signs point toward James declining those choices and proceeding to unrestricted free agency.

Coaching update: The Cavs are planning a second interview with Byron Scott next week and might be drawing closer to offering him the coaching job.

Scott, who has one of the most impressive resumes of coaches on the market, has interest in the Lakers' coaching job if Phil Jackson does not re-sign. But with the champion Lakers in position to threepeat, the general belief is Jackson will look to return if cleared by his doctors.

According to a source, while Scott has long had an interest in coaching the Lakers, he is very intrigued by the Cavs' job and coaching James.

Scott, a former Hornets coach, still is quite close with New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who is one of James' closest friends.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166