Radio host says LeBron plans to stay in Cleveland

[Turisas]

I'm a bit surprised by this, I always thought LeBron would've waited until the Finals were over before making a decision.

[Knicksick]

I dunno. I think it's hilarious that supporters of the Hill/Jeffries trade acted as if it had NO RISKS.

One thing is for sure: If Walsh really stands by "not overpaying" for guys then he will have a hard time getting anybody here. Guys like Bosh,Amar'e and Johnson have become max players now--that much is for sure. Actually Johnson is a prime example of someone that could be had for a max contract. I believe Atlanta didn't offer the max and they are unlikely to do so---now if Walsh is reluctant to do that he won't even survive the summer.

[Invictus]

Yeah it could be "official" news maybe later today or tomorrow or early next week, from listening to that tape (WTF is all that cleveland advertising nonsense at the beginning? I fast forwarded to the 5 min mark and it was still going on),

BUT until then i won't be surprised if some statement from lebron's camp comes out saying "the previously rumored statements are not true" or something similar to the trevor ariza fiasco

[Notorious23]

I'm a bit surprised by this, I always thought LeBron would've waited until the Finals were over before making a decision.

I agree. Hell I thought it would drag out to september but I think he needs to reup for signing potential free agents. He lost out last year by not commiting.

[Knicksick]

For James it makes sense to stay. Even as a Knick fan you can't deny it. I ALWAYS said that if the Knicks want a serious shot at Lebron they MUST show that they are a good team without him, they MUST show that they are a 40 win team right now and therefore I passionately questioned D'Antoni and his whole "guys are on expiring contracts" agenda etc. I also hoped that Walsh would be able to get us a good PG last summer---I just KNEW we had to be solid this season.

[Thorn]

Plenty of fish in the sea, he doesn't want to be here we don't want him here.

There are no guarantees in life and there were none here, I am not sure who needs to be put on suicide watch if we have lived through sucking and being the laughing stock of the league for 10 years I dare say this too shall pass.

[knicks742]

The point is that Kobe and Ginobili extended and now it looks like Lebron might too. You fo realize that we still need to get TWO max guys in order to justify the trade right?Because everything else could have been down DURING the summer without the risk of losing valuable assets for nothing. The only way this trade is not a failure is if we get TWO max player. TWO, not one.

That doesn't make sense to me. The way I looked at the trade was this:

You have a very, very deep free agent class. There are/were at least 7 guys in this free agent class that would have been the best free agent available in any of the last 5 years or so. Then the rest of the guys available are still very good starters/role players that you can get. The package we gave up for that extra space (Jeffries, Hill, 2011 swap and 2012 pick), in my opinion, would be unlikely to get us the types of players that we can get this summer, primarily because of the depth of the class.

This move was always a risky move. Hell, the plan back in 2008 was risky. However, it was a risk I happily accepted when the risk you are taking is to take a shot at 2 franchise players, 3 legitimate all star players and 3 other players who are borderline all stars.

Personally, I just think that the depth of the free agent class was why I was ok with the McGrady trade. You are likely to get better players in free agency than the ones we would have drafted with those picks because Dolan would not let us continue to suck for 2 or 3 more years to get high draft picks and rebuild that way.

[duetta]

Well, if that's his plan, then do it now. We can look to take on a deal around the draft, and maybe pick up a draft choice or two.

[Knicksick]

The point is that Kobe and Ginobili extended and now it looks like Lebron might too. You fo realize that we still need to get TWO max guys in order to justify the trade right?Because everything else could have been down DURING the summer without the risk of losing valuable assets for nothing. The only way this trade is not a failure is if we get TWO max player. TWO, not one.

That doesn't make sense to me. The way I looked at the trade was this:

You have a very, very deep free agent class. There are/were at least 7 guys in this free agent class that would have been the best free agent available in any of the last 5 years or so. Then the rest of the guys available are still very good starters/role players that you can get. The package we gave up for that extra space (Jeffries, Hill, 2011 swap and 2012 pick), in my opinion, would be unlikely to get us the types of players that we can get this summer, primarily because of the depth of the class.

This move was always a risky move. Hell, the plan back in 2008 was risky. However, it was a risk I happily accepted when the risk you are taking is to take a shot at 2 franchise players, 3 legitimate all star players and 3 other players who are borderline all stars.

Personally, I just think that the depth of the free agent class was why I was ok with the McGrady trade. You are likely to get better players in free agency than the ones we would have drafted with those picks because Dolan would not let us continue to suck for 2 or 3 more years to get high draft picks and rebuild that way.

We'll see how it works out Knicks742 and I'll try to remain positive but guys extending even before the summer isn't a good sign.

Johnson and Amar'e are two guys that haven't been offered the max by their teams this season. The big question is does Walsh slightly overpay for those guys or does he stand firm on his stance of not overpaying for anyone?Because if not I'm not sure how he plans to get those guys to play here. Except Bosh all the other FAs are on 50+ win teams. That one is a major hurdle if you aren't willing to overpay. Mark my words : If Walsh doesn't offer max money to the likes of Johnson,Amar'e etc. he won't get anybody here.

[Lottery Bound]

"In news today, thousands of people were found jumping into the Hudson River and all of them appear to be knick fans...More on this development later"

[K_ick_God]

I'll believe when I see it reported by someone credible.

Seems like it *could* be an attempt to stir up a story. Maybe there's some truth to it, but until I get a good source, there is nothing here.

[bklynstoops]

i hope it's true. LeBron is a bytch. never wanted him here.

[nyknicks8016]

knicksick the reason many people loved the trade at the deadline is because it gave us a lot more flexibility.....it gave us a chance to either go two max, a max and david lee and another player or a max and a bunch of pieces

lets face it without the trade we couldnt sign lee and a max...the max would be our only signing basically with about 7 million on spare parts...

this trade gives us the ability to have say a free agent class of.....wade/johnson, lee and camby....with still some room for other players....that wasnt possible without that trade....this gives walsh a chance to build our team with whoever him and dantoni want...tehy have no strangleholds now its all on them

is there risk?? absolutly theres risk with everything you do but th thing is new york will not be sitting there doing nothing...they now have the abilit to go after people and not just sit back and watch everyone else...thats why people loved the trade.....we now can be players in the free agent market...we couldnt realisticly do that before

[K_ick_God]

"news is pouring in" is lol. There is nothing pouring in. This is a trickle at best and we have no credible sources.

So far my guess is that this is an attempt to create a story and pressure on LeBron.

Hold firm Knicks fans! lol

[duetta]

This move was always a risky move. Hell, the plan back in 2008 was risky. However, it was a risk I happily accepted when the risk you are taking is to take a shot at 2 franchise players, 3 legitimate all star players and 3 other players who are borderline all stars.

As you know, I strongly disagree. Getting under the cap, and building a roster of players worth their actual salaries was always a GREAT idea. Yeah, Zach is an All-Star - but we were still trying to get out from under the mess that Isiah left. Losing Crawford for Harrington was no big deal. Going all in for guys approaching their 30s, who I don't want to pay MAX money was always the risk.

If Lebron signs, and Wade is off the table, then I don't know what Walsh does here. Honestly, if age were not a factor, and the money were comparable, I'd rather have Boozer than Lee. But age is a factor, and salary may be a factor. But unless we can sign players for their authentic value, I honestly would rather not have any of these players - and would rather have back my picks and Hill. If Lee expects $14 mil over six, I can't pay him that - and Walsh will have screwed up big time by not signing him last September, when Lee was desperate for a long-term deal.

I would have liked to have seen how a Lee, Hill (Darko) and Gallo front line might have worked out - but D'Antoni was too busy helping Harrington get his next deal.

[waya]

That audio link says nothing about him signing the extension. It says hes made up his mind to stay. Nothing is a done deal.

[kosmovitelli]

News of Lebron agreeing to extension with Cleveland

Considering there's still no confirmation, it's just a rumor for now. I'd be surprised if James signed an extension now (he has until june 30). Why would he wait so long to sign now ? It doesn't make much sense, he's a max player !
Kobe and Gino took their time because they were waiting for their GM to give them the contract they wanted. Buss was reluctant to cave in and give Kobe $30 million, the Spurs were cautious about Ginobili because of his injuries. For Lebron it's entirely different as there will be no negotiation about the money, he'll get the max no matter where he signs.

About Brian Windhorst, he wrote that article for ESPN only one week ago and he quoted Lebron saying :

"I don't tease; I've never teased New York," James said. " For me to say, 'I'm not going to be a Knick, I'm going to be a Cav' or 'I'm going to be a Knick, I'm not going to be a Cav,' I'm not going to do that. I did the three-year contract for a reason. I'm going to leave my options open."

Can't see why after only a week Lebron no longer wants to keep his options open and agrees to sign an extension before the playoffs and free agency.

[K_ick_God]

That audio link says nothing about him signing the extension. It says hes made up his mind to stay. Nothing is a done deal.

But it's also just speculation from someone who knows nothing.

I'll happily concede defeat if/when there is reason to. But I still believe: No way he will agree to stay before the playoffs.

I don't believe the story.

[Notorious23]

I'll believe when I see it reported by someone credible.

Seems like it *could* be an attempt to stir up a story. Maybe there's some truth to it, but until I get a good source, there is nothing here.

Yeah Brian Windhorst is a terrible source.

[TheBluest]

All I want is for KnicksGod to break everything down once everything is finalized on the extension.