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I know there's a thread for rumors and such, but I want to discuss this particular issue:

Latest "reports" say that:

* Lebron wants the max
* Wade and Bosh are willing to take less, in some cases 11/12 mil per season.
* Heat say they got 12 mil to work with (which would be after signing Lebron, Wade, Bosh AND Haslem)
* Lebron wants a 2 year contract to keep his flexibility

While I don't dispute that Lebron DESERVES the max, I find it rather strange that Wade and Bosh would agree to take paycuts while Lebron doesn't, especially such large paycuts.

I have a few issues with that:

1. They took nearly identical contracts last time. Even if Bosh and Wade can keep their own egos in check so much as to take that much less, I still think having such differences in paychecks might become an issue down the road. I especially would have expected very close salaries considering the big 3 discussed it among themselves already.

2. I expected Lebron to accept a paycut too, because I think he's very unselfish and he puts winning before money. I wouldn't turn on him if he wants the max, but I would be a little disappointed.

3. I never thought any of the big 3 would take less than 15 per, but now with Wade's knee issues, 55-60 for 4 years sounds ok to me. But Bosh is worth the max (only people who only look at the stats think otherwise) and accepting 11 or 12 per doesn't seem realistic to me.

4. I'd think Riley gained Lebron's trust by now, so a 2 year contract to "keep his flexibility" wouldn't be necessary. I'd think that the opt out clauses would be included more for allowing Riles to restructure salaries, make moves, bring in some help instead of just to allow him to leave the team.


Somewhere I still think/hope that all this turns out to be crap fabricated by "sources", just like Wojnarovski made up a ton of crap in 2010. I still think/hope they'll all take contracts starting around 15-16 mil, giving Riley about 15-12 mil to work with.

Thoughts ?

thinktellectual wrote:While I don't dispute that Lebron DESERVES the max, I find it rather strange that Wade and Bosh would agree to take paycuts while Lebron doesn't, especially such large paycuts.

I agree. It really doesn't make any sense at all. Some of the information coming out has to have been fabricated.

Take every rumor with a big grain of salt.

He deserves the max. Bosh and Wade are taking cuts for the privilege of playing with him and keeping their families stable. Free agents should take note.

Don't give a **** til pen meets paper.

LeBron is worth whatever contract he wants, but if it's true that he wants a 1-2 year max deal, that's kind of dick. Basically locks us into building everything around him and asking everyone else to take pay cuts to create a contender, but without any assurance at all that he'll actually stick around and ride through any bumps in the road.

Bourne85 wrote:Don't give a **** til pen meets paper.

yeah, that was simply me musing, stuff of smoke and shadows

thinktellectual wrote:I know there's a thread for rumors and such, but I want to discuss this particular issue:

Latest "reports" say that:

* Lebron wants the max
* Wade and Bosh are willing to take less, in some cases 11/12 mil per season.
* Heat say they got 12 mil to work with (which would be after signing Lebron, Wade, Bosh AND Haslem)
* Lebron wants a 2 year contract to keep his flexibility

While I don't dispute that Lebron DESERVES the max, I find it rather strange that Wade and Bosh would agree to take paycuts while Lebron doesn't, especially such large paycuts.

I have a few issues with that:

1. They took nearly identical contracts last time. Even if Bosh and Wade can keep their own egos in check so much as to take that much less, I still think having such differences in paychecks might become an issue down the road. I especially would have expected very close salaries considering the big 3 discussed it among themselves already.

2. I expected Lebron to accept a paycut too, because I think he's very unselfish and he puts winning before money. I wouldn't turn on him if he wants the max, but I would be a little disappointed.

3. I never thought any of the big 3 would take less than 15 per, but now with Wade's knee issues, 55-60 for 4 years sounds ok to me. But Bosh is worth the max (only people who only look at the stats think otherwise) and accepting 11 or 12 per doesn't seem realistic to me.

4. I'd think Riley gained Lebron's trust by now, so a 2 year contract to "keep his flexibility" wouldn't be necessary. I'd think that the opt out clauses would be included more for allowing Riles to restructure salaries, make moves, bring in some help instead of just to allow him to leave the team.


Somewhere I still think/hope that all this turns out to be crap fabricated by "sources", just like Wojnarovski made up a ton of crap in 2010. I still think/hope they'll all take contracts starting around 15-16 mil, giving Riley about 15-12 mil to work with.

Thoughts ?

I totally agree IF THE RUMORS ARE TRUE. It comes across as Lebron wanting his cake and eating it too.

Lebron deserves way more than the max, if there was no salary cap or max, he deserves 50 mill per yr. But reality is that there is a max. It comes across as if he feels like he shouldn't sacrifice anything and every one else should. But basketball is a TEAM sport, no one player is bigger than the team.

Bosh can get a max or close to a max deal on several teams but he is willing to take almost half his max salary(11 mill if rumors are true). He has already sacrifice his game for the betterment of the team and also takes a lot of criticism for it. He doesn't get many plays called, he got 4 shots in a finals game even though he was 4 for 4 and never complained about it. He does everything that is asked of him(playing center when he is a natural pf) and rarely complains.

Wade opted out of a contract he will never see again for the betterment of a team and decides to take a 12 mill(if rumors are true) 4 yr contract....that's only 6 mill more than his 2 yr contract.

Meanwhile LBJ complained about how each position needs to be improved but is not willing to sacrifice anything for it. It comes across as he wanting everyone else to take the punch. In fact(in fact if rumors are true) he wants 2 yr max contract or a longer max contract with a 2 yr opt out clause in case something better comes along. He didn't sacrifice money or MVPs or stats...he gets everything he wants.

That's not cool.

kyphi wrote:He deserves the max. Bosh and Wade are taking cuts for the privilege of playing with him ...

Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

don't believe everything you read OP

LikeABosh wrote:Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

Yes he does but asking for improvements while not sacrificing and expecting everyone else to is imo, is not cool. On top of that, requesting a 2 yr contract(rumor) or opt out contract just in case he finds a better situation(example - teaming up with KD in 2 yrs) comes across as arrogant.

holden3 wrote:

LikeABosh wrote:Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

Yes he does but asking for improvements while not sacrificing and expecting everyone else to is imo, is not cool. On top of that, requesting a 2 yr contract(rumor) or opt out contract just in case he finds a better situation(example - teaming up with KD in 2 yrs) comes across as arrogant.

I don't care. If Lebron wants a hum job while being fed caviar, you give it to him

He won us two titles and if we get him back we can win 2 more

LikeABosh wrote:Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

Lebron and Bosh got identical contracts in 2010 ... Wade took a little less.

As I mentioned on the other thread, if it's true that Bosh and Wade and taking paycuts while Lebron doesn't, that just means we have to lessen the criticism on Wade and Bosh based on their salary, they're not going to be paid superstar money and everyone here expected that of them because of what they were paid, so the pressure is off them and on Lebron to carry the load, as he always has succesfully.

Wade and Bosh are essentially INVITING another player to join them to lessen the burden on their shoulders.

contract wrote:

LikeABosh wrote:Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

Lebron and Bosh got identical contracts in 2010 ... Wade took a little less.

I think you knew what I mean

LikeABosh wrote:

holden3 wrote:

LikeABosh wrote:Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

Yes he does but asking for improvements while not sacrificing and expecting everyone else to is imo, is not cool. On top of that, requesting a 2 yr contract(rumor) or opt out contract just in case he finds a better situation(example - teaming up with KD in 2 yrs) comes across as arrogant.

I don't care. If Lebron wants a hum job while being fed caviar, you give it to him

He won us two titles and if we get him back we can win 2 more

Not without significant help he can't. The idea that Lebron can be a one man team has been disproven over and over again throughout his career. If he wants to win, he's going to have to sacrifice like everyone else. Not as much, but some. Here or elsewhere.

Vertical Limit wrote:As I mentioned on the other thread, if it's true that Bosh and Wade and taking paycuts while Lebron doesn't, that just means we have to lessen the criticism on Wade and Bosh based on their salary, they're not going to be paid superstar money and everyone here expected that of them because of what they were paid, so the pressure is off them and on Lebron to carry the load, as he always has succesfully.

Wade and Bosh are essentially INVITING another player to join them to lessen the burden on their shoulders.

Both will be paid plenty to carry large expectations. If you're making > $10 million, star level production is expected.

LikeABosh wrote:

holden3 wrote:

LikeABosh wrote:Lebron deserves to be paid more than any other player in the league and so I don't expect identical contracts like in 2010

Yes he does but asking for improvements while not sacrificing and expecting everyone else to is imo, is not cool. On top of that, requesting a 2 yr contract(rumor) or opt out contract just in case he finds a better situation(example - teaming up with KD in 2 yrs) comes across as arrogant.

I don't care. If Lebron wants a hum job while being fed caviar, you give it to him

He won us two titles and if we get him back we can win 2 more

Then by your argument, Lebron lost you the 2010/2011 dallas series title....which I don't believe. When you are competing at the highest level, basketball is a team game. Without Bosh getting the rebound and Allen hitting the 3, the Heat would have lost last year.

What worries me right now is the 2.2 million trade exception (Joel Anthony trade) being packaged with James Ennis.