2014 Official FA Thread

[JMac1]

Every team in the league will target lebron and he can go where he chooses. Of course it would be awesome for him to go to phx but it's a LONGshot. I'm really thinking love ends up playing out his deal and going to la so I've pretty much given up hope of getting him. That's why I'd be ok overpaying for bosh. It's just so damn hard to acquire impact players that if bosh wants to come here you get the deal done. IMO he's by far the most likely of the big 3 to leave this summer.

Frick Bosh! Ugh!! Rationale wise, why would it be a long shot? Tell me want we have missing to make it a long shot; by anything I mean what Lebron is looking for. I never heard him say I need a big city....He could care less. He wants to win!

I think people need to stop whispering Phoenix and yell it out, so we can get some fillers. Hell, the even asked KD about Washington!! People are afraid to admit that Phoenix would be a perfect fit because they are waiting on the media. Or are afraid of getting attacked. I hope our FO puts it out there.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think phx is a good free agent destination and of course you make an all out pitch to bron if he hits the market. But if you don't think it's a long shot you're crazy. For one I doubt he actually leaves Miami especially if they win another ring this yr. IF he does leave every frickin team in the league would do anything possible to get him and you would have to think if Miami was sure they were losing him they would be open to sign and trades. This opens up the possibility he ends up anywhere including the teams that currently won't have cap space. With a landscape like that literally every team except Miami is a "long shot" to land bron.

[gaspar]

Morris bros advance stats would most likely go down if they become volume scorers.
As it is... As bench players... They reap the benefits.
But can't imagine either maintaining their percentages when given 30-32 minutes and as volume scorers.
As bench players they are fine though.

Maybe yes, maybe not. This year with increased minutes and usage rate Markieff's efficiency jumped off the charts. Since Bledsoe went down Keef is our main and sometimes only source of scoring off the bench and he's usually on the court with the starting lineup in the crunch time.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Think about this scary scenario where lebron decides that wades on the decline and he wants to team up with durrant and win the next 5 championships. I totally believe if he went to Miami and said I'm leaving for nothing if you don't do a sign and trade centered around Westbrook Miami makes the deal. They could call his bluff but I doubt they would.

Now this a pretty unlikely scenario but it's just an example how crazy this summer will get if bron decides to leave.

[DirtyDez]

If we get Bledsoe back and make a surprising run to the WCF it's hard to think Lebron wouldn't at least consider the Suns. What's the max-salary we could give him?

[Cutter]

I'm not sure which direction Miami goes when it comes to Dwade and LeBron. Wade is a declining superstar who has been with Miami his entire career (10 years). He is loved and respected in Miami, and ownership could be reluctant to trade him and keep LeBron ( even though this is what they should do). Just like Lakers giving Kobe one last huge contract to show loyalty to an aging superstar, I can see Miami do the same thing with Wade.

I think clearly Bosh will be the odd man out in Miami, and the heat will work to retain Wade and leBron. Wade might be willing to give Miami a hometown discount, but not sure on that.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Say bron does shop around this offseason what teams do you guys think would he come visit and let pitch him? I would assume the suns make his list but it's not a given I guess. I think he would visit the lakers but I jut can't see him wanting to try and win with old Kobe and Nash and roster filled with minimum contract guys. If winning a bunch more rings is the most important thing and he feels like he can force a sign and trade I would think okc the clips and golden state would be in the mix. They all conceivably could put sign and trade offers on the table that Miami would have a hard time refusing with the other option being losing him or nothing.

Out east i guess maybe Chicago could amnesty boozer and get into the mix. I can't see any other east teams outside the very slim chance he would want to go home to Cleveland.

[Frank Lee]

The Decision Part 2 is already getting annoying.

Those guys could all opt out, re-sign with Miami with enough space to add anyone they wanted. Their owner is very accommodating. And it will come down to what they all want. Miami was the poster child for player collusion.

I don't see them bailing on each other. And I don't see them going out losers. They win it all this yr, then may be they say hmm...OK now what. But don't forget what they promised. 7 rings was it ? This is much ado about nothing. The story creating media is driving all of these conversations/proposals/big-fn-maybes

And for those of you who say Phnx can trump Miami as a city ..... ummmm... I think you've been in the Sun too long.

[INFORMER-93]

I don't think any over the cap team is an option as a LeBron destination. And I don't think LeBron and Durant would want to play with each other.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I don't think any over the cap team is an option as a LeBron destination. And I don't think LeBron and Durant would want to play with each other.

i sure as hell hope they don't ever play together. The thought of trying to defend them is frightening. Do you really think if push came to shove Miami calls his bluff and refuses to do a s&t? Seems like cutting your nose off to spite your face.

[INFORMER-93]

Do you really think if push came to shove Miami calls his bluff and refuses to do a s&t? Seems like cutting your nose off to spite your face.

I do. Look at his alternatives. Is he going to go play in Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, or Utah? Would he really go play with Kobe? I think the only remotely appealing options are Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Phoenix. Cleveland's house isn't in order, and I think the small market and lack of fan support will turn him off from Phoenix.

Philadelphia has MCW, Noel returning from injury, two lotto picks, and enough cap space to sign James and another max player. So they're a dark horse, but I don't see James wanting to live in Philly.

So that brings us back to Miami.

[Frank Lee]

So that brings us back to Miami.

exactly.

[SunsFanSSOL]

Interesting: Bledsoe and LeBron have the same agent.

[carey]

I do. Look at his alternatives. Is he going to go play in Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, or Utah? Would he really go play with Kobe? I think the only remotely appealing options are Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Phoenix. Cleveland's house isn't in order, and I think the small market and lack of fan support will turn him off from Phoenix.

Philadelphia has MCW, Noel returning from injury, two lotto picks, and enough cap space to sign James and another max player. So they're a dark horse, but I don't see James wanting to live in Philly.

So that brings us back to Miami.

I was with you till this part. He's bright enough to know that if he signed here they'd sell out every game for however long he's here.

[INFORMER-93]

I do. Look at his alternatives. Is he going to go play in Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, or Utah? Would he really go play with Kobe? I think the only remotely appealing options are Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Phoenix. Cleveland's house isn't in order, and I think the small market and lack of fan support will turn him off from Phoenix.

Philadelphia has MCW, Noel returning from injury, two lotto picks, and enough cap space to sign James and another max player. So they're a dark horse, but I don't see James wanting to live in Philly.

So that brings us back to Miami.

I was with you till this part. He's bright enough to know that if he signed here they'd sell out every game for however long he's here.

I wasn't saying the fan support wouldn't be there if he came. I just don't think it attracts guys like LeBron to see a half empty arena and fans cheering for the opposition all the time. In other words, I don't think LeBron is looking to resuscitate any fan bases; I don't think he's going to pick a spot that presently is indifferent about pro basketball or lackluster in their support.

[SunsFanSSOL]

I do. Look at his alternatives. Is he going to go play in Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, or Utah? Would he really go play with Kobe? I think the only remotely appealing options are Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Phoenix. Cleveland's house isn't in order, and I think the small market and lack of fan support will turn him off from Phoenix.

Philadelphia has MCW, Noel returning from injury, two lotto picks, and enough cap space to sign James and another max player. So they're a dark horse, but I don't see James wanting to live in Philly.

So that brings us back to Miami.

I was with you till this part. He's bright enough to know that if he signed here they'd sell out every game for however long he's here.

I wasn't saying the fan support wouldn't be there if he came. I just don't think it attracts guys like LeBron to see a half empty arena and fans cheering for the opposition all the time. In other words, I don't think LeBron is looking to resuscitate any fan bases; I don't think he's going to pick a spot that presently is indifferent about pro basketball or lackluster in their support.

If we get LeBron, the Lakers and Heat "fans" in USAC will be cheering for us.

[Frank Lee]

Interesting: Bledsoe and LeBron have the same agent.

for all those banking on James and Bledsoe wanting to play together, you better consider the flip side of the coin. Suppose James wants to.... but wants to in Miami.

[carey]

Interesting: Bledsoe and LeBron have the same agent.

for all those banking on James and Bledsoe wanting to play together, you better consider the flip side of the coin. Suppose James wants to.... but wants to in Miami.

That's pretty much immaterial at this point.

[Frank Lee]

is it ? Suppose Bled want the max, but doesn't get it. He could easily play out the season on the QO.... and play anywhere then

I don't put much weight into the James/Bledsoe love affair. True, they are friends, but it is also a business relationship as James' pal is the agent for both (if I remember correctly). James will play where he wants. And if he is hell bent on recruiting players like he already has, then its not so much who wants them, its where they want to be.

All the chatter about how PHNX is a 'great spot' means nothing, especially if Miami requires a sign and trade. I would think if he leaves miami it will be on good terms and with assets going to south beach

[Ring_Wanted]

I'd guess the injury has scared Bledsoe (and his agent). Playing for the QO when there is a team willing to pay you handsomely, even if not the max, is pretty reckless as it is let alone after a knee surgery, even if a relatively safe one.