Seattle SuperSonics backup center Jerome James has told teammates that he is not planning on exercising the opt-out clause in his contract and that he will be back in Seattle next season to complete the third and final year of his three-year deal.

Many within and around the team were hoping that James would opt out, freeing the Sonics from the $5.4 million obligation they have to him next season and removing his corrosive attitude from the locker room.

Though he still could change his mind before July, James has let it be known throughout the Sonics' locker room that he is not willing to gamble on losing the guaranteed money in search of long-term security.