The Associated Press

AKRON - Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, who once said he wanted to play his entire career with Carlos Boozer, says he's supporting the power forward's decision to leave the team.

"It hurts us, of course," James said Wednesday night after appearing at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. But James said he respects Boozer for doing what he believed was best for him and his family.

"I'm great friends with Carlos. We had a great run in the one year that I had him," James said.

In February, James said of Boozer, "All I know is that I want him as my power forward until I retire."

James said Wednesday that he has spoken to Boozer since he decided to accept Utah's six-year, $68 million offer.

The Cavaliers don't have the money under the salary cap to match the offer and said they wouldn't try.

The team says it had a verbal understanding with Boozer to work out a long-term contract. Boozer has denied there was an agreement, although he said at the beginning of the free agency period he planned to stay in Cleveland.

"It's a situation where his family comes first," James said. "People in your family come first before anybody - teammates, coaches, the NBA."

HORNETS: Restricted free agent forward Morris Peterson signed an offer sheet with New Orleans, giving the Raptors 15 days to match it. The Hornets did not release the amount of the offer, citing club policy.

Peterson played in every game for the Raptors last season, starting 29, and averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds.

PACERS: Indiana has re-signed veteran free agent point guard Anthony Johnson.

Terms of the contract were not released. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound free agent, the top backup to starter Jamaal Tinsley through most of last season, averaged 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game.

BRYANT CASE: John Roche, 23, was sentenced to four months in federal prison Friday for leaving a profanity-laced death threat on the answering machine of the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape.

DRIBBLES: Point guard Derek Fisher finalized a six-year, $37 million contract with the Golden State Warriors. ... The Portland Trail Blazers signed guard Richie Frahm to a one-year contract. Thursday, adding an outside shooter to their roster.

The 6-foot-5 Frahm appeared in 54 games for Seattle last season, averaging 3.4 points. He scored 31 points in a game against Denver in December.