LeBron Free Agency 2010

[TheOUTLAW]

LeBron is 25, I think he'll sign for 3-4 yrs. I wish he would sign longer term deals. But I think he's not going to do that until he's about 31

[rjgraca]

LeBron is 25, I think he'll sign for 3-4 yrs. I wish he would sign longer term deals. But I think he's not going to do that until he's about 31

+1

Lebron's not helping his image much. Since Lebron turned a lot of his Business side to his inner circle/friends (to promote him) there has been an awkward image problem over this period of time.
Lebron preaching about loyalty and NOT doing the walk/talk to show it. Winning the attention Whore title in the NBA is not a long-term image to successfully increasing Business ventures due to image issues.

[Tekkenlaw]

If he wants to win New York isn't the answer.

Why not? If he goes to New York Bosh is going with. Then they have some solid complimentary players around him. It's debatable whether the Knicks minus Bosh would make a better supporting cast than what he has in cleveland, with Bosh it's no question.

[NADALbULLS]

Do the Knicks have any decent defensive players? They sure don't have a defensive-minded coach. Because no team is coming out of the East without great defense. I think its Chicago vs Cleveland, nobody else in the running. The Cavs were a great defensive team winning 13 games in a row, until the Jamison trade. Then hustler Hickson lost minutes and that was that.

[Mr Loggins]

If he wants to win New York isn't the answer.

Why not? If he goes to New York Bosh is going with. Then they have some solid complimentary players around him. It's debatable whether the Knicks minus Bosh would make a better supporting cast than what he has in cleveland, with Bosh it's no question.

are we talking about the awesomeness of Gallinari, Chandler, Tony Douglas and Bill Walker????????

[heathmalc]

Like most fans of the Cavaliers, I think about different trades the Cavs could make that would make them better, while at the same time ensuring LeBron's signature on another contract with the Cavs. A common belief among most fans of the Cavs is that James is holding the team hostage, like with the Izzo deal, and has been doing so ever since he signed his extension in 2005.

One thing that most fans may not have thought about is the possibility that LeBron, by his actions, is actually helping the Cavaliers, not hurting them or holding them hostage.

The National media has been all over LeBron's free-agency for years. But they have been all over this particular class of free-agents, non-stop, since about the time the season started for 09-10. A common theme in articles written, and opinions given, is that LeBron will be the first to be decided. Afterward, the other free-agents will then either move to their new team, or re-sign with their current club. As an example, Bob Finnan, of the News-Herald said this in one of his recent articles:

It's been suggested LeBron James is holding the Cavaliers hostage while this free-agent process drags out.

It's not just the Cavs, however. It's the entire league.

Teams won't be able to make a decision in free agency until they've exhausted all efforts to sign James. Even teams that don't have salary-cap space will make a run at James with sign-and-trade offers.

Don't expect anything to happen quickly, either. He'll start his national tour in early July. He's planning on visiting New York, New Jersey, Miami and Chicago. He might also visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

But he's the first domino. Teams can't do anything else. That sets everything else in motion.

As I said, this is the common theme among sports journalists that cover the NBA - LeBron is the first domino... everything else happens after.

What if.... LeBron wasn't holding the Cavs hostage at all? What if the plan was to garner so much attention, that every other team in the league with aspirations of making a trade/upgrade, couldn't do anything until LeBron made his decision? That is the belief after all. What if the reason this plan was made was so the Cavaliers would be the only team that could actually make moves?

The hypothesis: LeBron wants to remain a Cavalier, but wants to get a stud side-kick on the team next to him. If the Cavs knew this to be a fact, and the plan was to basically hand-cuff the rest of the free-spending teams until LeBron made his decision, this would give the Cavaliers the maneuverability to make a deal while the teams with money were waiting on LeBron to come and visit and make his decision. IF this hypothesis were true, then LeBron and his team would need to put out leaks that he was interested in certain teams... they'd need to do this for basically every team that had money to sign a max contract, or near-max contract. LeBron would have to visit each of these teams, and when he left, he'd need to make them believe that he was SERIOUSLY considering signing with them. He'd need to make them believe that they couldn't make any moves because LeBron is 99% sure he wants to play for them. Then... he'd go to the next city on his list, and make them feel the same way. He may even visit some teams twice...to ensure they don't make a move. While LeBron is doing his dance with other teams hoping to sign him, the Cavs are making a deal or multiple deals that ensures the future greatness of the team.

Some may ask - "If LeBron has hand-cuffed the other teams, then how do the Cavs make a deal?" Well, the answer is simple: Not every team is going to have a shot at LeBron. Minnesota has no chance...even though they have some money. Sacramento has no chance, even though they could afford to sign him. There are others like Atlanta, Toronto,etc,etc. Those clubs have no chance...but they do have certain free-agents of their own that will not be making any decision until LeBron is done because teams with money will be thinking that LeBron may be signing with them...so they wont be offering any $$$ to the others (Amare,Boozer,Johnson,etc). While those free-agents are being held-up by LeBron (not because they WANT to wait, but because the teams with $$$ are waiting on LeBron, so aren't offering them contracts), the Cavaliers are making sign & trade offers to these other players/teams... those players are getting antsy, and just want their future guaranteed...hopefully with a winning club. Gilbert is a big draw to some players, as they know he will spend to win...just like Cuban is a draw. So, id DG offers a S&T deal that the other team can live with, and the player knows that the Owner wants to win at all costs, then they likely take the deal... even without knowing about LeBron...because they willo know that GILBERT is committed to win. After the Cavaliers make their splash, and get the rest of the roster the way they want...then LeBron re-signs. The media will say that LeBron saw the moves the Cavaliers made, and since the Cavs would be huge title contenders for the next 5-8 years with their new line-up, and could offer him the most money, that LeBron had no choice. That's what they'd say anyway.


Just another hypothetical situation, that could actually be true; but one that we will never know about one way or the other. If nothing else, it give fans something else to think about, and possibly adds some optimism to all the pessimists out there.

[Rise Against]

Why not? If he goes to New York Bosh is going with. Then they have some solid complimentary players around him. It's debatable whether the Knicks minus Bosh would make a better supporting cast than what he has in cleveland, with Bosh it's no question.

Besides David Lee, I'm not fond of anyone else on that Knicks roster. The Cavs supporting cast right now is far more superior than anything New York has. And until they start playing some defense, the Knicks aren't going anywhere.

[TheOUTLAW]

Exile, c'mon you know that the Knicks are star studded. I am appalled you would think any other way. Appalled, I say!!!

Unless there is a trade, Lee won't be a Knick at all next year. Wilson Chandler is actually pretty good (although not as good as Knick fans tend to say). Of course, he is a SF as well. Galinari is an enigma to me since I don't think he's quick enough for a SF or strong enough for PF. Of course, you do have Al Harrington and Tracy McGrady as well. Okay, I'm just confused because it seems that all of their best players are really Small Forwards already.

[humblebum]

Lebron won't go to the Knicks. He wants to go to a team where he can win and of course get paid. Lebron is in complete control of his destiny. He can force his way into S&T's by using teams like New York and New Jersey as bait. He could walk into the Cavs FO and say, "I want to be traded to team X or I'm signing with team Y. You can get something in return for me or I can leave you with nothing. The choice is yours." Then basically the Cavs FO will be forced into looking for the best S&T they can get from the team(s) that Lebron states he wants to play for.

If Lebron looks at Cleveland as a dead end in terms of winning a championship, then it's likely that the above scenario is exactly what will happen. Sorry to Cavs fans but those are just the facts of the case. Hopefully Lebron either stays or you end up with a good young player in an S&T, it'd be a shame if he signed with a sham of a team like NYC.

[TheOUTLAW]

Thanks for pointing out what 100 people have already pointed out and we already knew. That being said, sometimes getting nothing in return is better than getting something you don't want.

[humblebum]

Well sorry for stating the obvious. I haven't been following the situation too closely as a Celtics fan. But I've thought for a while that Danny Ainge would look to make a play for one of the big time FA's this offseason. He's the type of GM who looks to make big, franchise changing trades. My feeling is that Rondo is a guy who Ainge might be willing to deal as part of a package for Lebron. How do you think Cavs fans would feel if they acquired Rondo in trade, if they were going to lose him one way or the other?

[TheOUTLAW]

Can't speak for others, but I really don't want Rondo.

[heathmalc]

NOTHING the Celtics have (now or any picks in the next 3 years) would be worth LeBron. We'd just assume he go and sign someplace else.

[Pula_86]

What authority Heath speaks with. If only there was any evidence except conjecture behind his statements. Lebron may return to Cleveland, but if he really was interested in helping this team long term, he would have already resigned. Free Agents did not want to sign in Cleveland last year because they Lebron refused to commit. Even this off-season if Lebron wanted to allow the Cavs the most flexibility and opportunities, he would commit to the Cavs or another. The truth is Lebron is a megalomaniac who loves the attention. The more I learn about Lebron, the more I don't think he is the leader who will win this team a championship.

[heathmalc]

What authority Heath speaks with. If only there was any evidence except conjecture behind his statements. Lebron may return to Cleveland, but if he really was interested in helping this team long term, he would have already resigned. Free Agents did not want to sign in Cleveland last year because they Lebron refused to commit. Even this off-season if Lebron wanted to allow the Cavs the most flexibility and opportunities, he would commit to the Cavs or another. The truth is Lebron is a megalomaniac who loves the attention. The more I learn about Lebron, the more I don't think he is the leader who will win this team a championship.

I speak with the authority of a life-long CLEVELAND fan. Bad or good, I have ALWAYS rooted for them... I couldn't root for another team even if I tried (If they are playing a Cleveland team).

What "authority" did you expect to find on a "FAN" forum? Did you expect to hear Dan Gilbert give a response? Did you expect Stein to come on the forum and give opinions?

BTW: It is funny that you chose the words you did: "If only there was any evidence except conjecture behind his statements."

Conjecture is a proposition that is not yet proven, but that all evidence points to it being true.

If you feel that my "authoritative" statements are conjecture, then you must also believe what I say to be the likely outcome...which means your post is a conflicting ramble. Perhaps you need your dose of Thorazine?

[Hemingway]

Not trying to troll at all. A friend and me, both Celtics fans had a convo today about free agents. We both agree that Boston can not get far enough under the cap to be a player so a sign and trade deal is all we could do. A question came up about LBJ:

So hypothetically speaking, if LBJ had a falling out in CLE and said he would not return but wanted to work with CLE to get a sign and trade (so he could get paid more) what is the best offer Boston could make?

I would imagine that the main guy would be Rondo and then one of Pierce or KG to make the numbers work. (which one would CLE want in this hypothetical scenario?) I'm also not sure what other players in green CLE would have an interest in.

So hopefully someone on here could help us out, what is the absolute best offer Boston could make?

(I am in no way saying LBJ is going to Boston, that any prepose trades are fair or in any way trying to start any trouble.)

[tidho]

Perkins, Rondo, Garnett = $30M
LeBron, Mo = $25M

....of course LeBron wouldn't agree to it becuase we're taking the guys he's actually want to play with, but that's the best Boston could do.

[TheOUTLAW]

I have no problem with what LeBron has done this off season. Sure he could have already signed but he's done no different than many many free agents before him. To beat him up for it is unfair IMO.

[heathmalc]

I also don't have a problem with what LeBron has done. In fact, I think that things will ultimately turn out much different than what the general fan believes.

[LAKERS_1981]

Just for fun. I know this deal will never happen but

Lakers Bynum, Odom and Artest.
Cleveland Lebron and Mo

Why for the Lakers: Well they are geting a superstar in Lebron and a PG that they need.
Why for Cleveland: Yes they will lose Lebron but they would get a great froncort that know how to win a ring.

Yes this is a trade that favroit the Lakers but i have seen mutch worse trades in here.