Trevor Ariza Denies That LeBron James Talked About His Future

HOUSTON -- Trevor Ariza officially signed with the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, but not before the Cleveland Cavaliers made a last-ditch effort trying to convince him to break the verbal commitment he made last week.

Ariza admitted to hearing from LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal but denied an ESPN report that James had confirmed he planned on staying in Cleveland after he becomes a free agent the summer of 2010.

More: Rockets Sign Ariza Using Injury Exception Money

"He had nothing to say about his future," Ariza said pointedly. "I don't know where that came from because I didn't say that, and nobody I'm close to said that. I don't know where that came from.

"He just told me that if I was to come there, we'd have a good chance of winning and that's all he wants to do is win."

LeBron James Photos

LeBron James, left, and Daniel "Boobie" Gibson are seen at the 9th Annual BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: NBA player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks onstage to accept the BET Award for Best Male Athlete during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: NBA player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers accepts the BET Award for Best Male Athlete onstage during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James

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LeBron James is seen at the the 9th Annual BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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Tyra Banks, left, present LeBron James with the best male athlete award at the 9th Annual BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

NBA player LeBron James onstage at the 2009 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on June 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 BET Awards - Show The Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles, California United States June 28, 2009 Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com To license this image (57805793), contact WireImage.com

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lebron James accepts the Best Male Athlete award at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SPORT)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: NBA player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers accepts the BET Award for Best Male Athlete from TV personality Tyra Banks onstage during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tyra Banks;LeBron James

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: TV personality Tyra Banks announces that NBA player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers wins the BET Award for Best Male Athlete onstage during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tyra Banks

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