Tom Izzo Is Staying...Does This Mean That LeBron James is Going?

Tom Izzo announced this evening that he will decline the opportunity to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and will, instead, continue on as coach of the Michigan State Spartans.

All well and good; in fact, I believe this is the right decision, but does this indicate that, perhaps, Izzo has a feeling that LeBron will be moving on?

Sure, he said all the right things — how he didn't speak to James, and that he "is a lifer" at Michigan State, according to ESPN.com .

Perhaps, you believe that is the truth. Perhaps, you also believe in the Easter Bunny.

Look, Izzo has had overtures from the NBA before. But this time, he seemed very serious about making the jump to the NBA.

So, it is almost idiotic to believe that Izzo made such a potentially life-altering decision without considering all the options.

And no option is as critical as the one named LeBron.

If Izzo had talked to LeBron, and all indications are that he did, despite reports to the contrary. and either LeBron told him he isn't sure or that he may be leaving, there is absolutely zero chance that he would leave Michigan State.

Hey, Izzo is a king there, and he makes $3 million a year. Sure, he could have potentially doubled that coaching for Cleveland, but how much money does a guy need?

Plus, if he failed, it would have tarnished his reputation, which is pristine right now.

And when considering how other college-turned-pro coaches have fared, it would have been a unique opportunity to coach in a city that almost made it to the NBA Finals and that has, perhaps, the best player in the league.

In fact, it would have been downright foolish for Izzo to have even entertained this idea without consulting The King.

For Izzo may be The King of Michigan, but LeBron is, certainly, The King of Cleveland.

Personally, I have always felt that James isn't going anywhere and he still may not be.

But it's only natural to speculate that if Izzo really was strongly considering this offer, and again, all indications are that he truly was, anything less than a full commitment from James would be a dealbreaker.

"I thought playing one-on-one with LeBron James every day would be a good thing," he said, according to ESPN.com .

The mighty four-letter network also quoted Bucks guard Charlie Bell, who played on Izzo's 2000 National Championship team, as saying that he was also glad to hear Izzo's staying: "Izzo is Michigan State basketball."

Meanwhile, LeBron James is Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. It does make you wonder.