In the winners' locker room after Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, as the champagne and tears of joy were flowing, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson told anyone who would listen that he was going out on top, retiring after winning the first NBA title of his 15-year pro career. Almost instantly, smart folks cautioned us to pump the brakes on that.
 | @ChrisMannixYS | |
Richard Jefferson says he is retiring, but let's let that sit for a little, eh? RJ is a prime candidate for a big, one-year deal next season
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At the Cavs' championship parade celebration on Wednesday, Jefferson started to walk it back ...
 | @andrewperloff | |
“It’s not set in stone." - Richard Jefferson said LeBron and his @cavs teammates are trying to convince him not to retire
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... and he told Dan Patrick it wasn't "set in stone" ...
... and after hearing droves of Cavs fans beseech him to stick around for the title defense ...
 | @vindicator | |
Fans chant "One more year" to Richard Jefferson. #cavsparade pic.twitter.com/NwS4n85SwU
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... Jefferson finally relented when it was his turn at the microphone at the post-parade rally portion of Wednesday's festivities:
 | @H_Grove | |
Richard Jefferson might've just unretire: "If you guys want me to play one more year, I'll play one more year." pic.twitter.com/SKtKFZnpAs
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"If you guys want me to play one more year, I'll play one more year," he said, sparking a roar from the crowd.
Maybe it was the emotion of the championship celebration, and the camaraderie of his teammates. Maybe it was realizing that with the salary cap about to go up to a projected $94 million for the 2016-17 season, there might still be time for one more score. Whatever the case, it seems that Jefferson's proclamations about being done might, for now, themselves be kaput.
Given how quickly Jefferson changed his mind from hanging up his high-tops to putting them back on again, it's probably prudent to wait a few days before thinking too much about what his possible unretirement might mean for him or the Cavs ... especially considering, now that his one-year veteran's minimum deal has ended, he's not under contract with Cleveland for next season. For the moment, though, it looks like Cleveland's premier Snapchat impresario might be willing to give it another run next season. Lil' Kev lovers everywhere should be thrilled.
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