2014 Official FA Thread 3: The Hunt For LeBron Continues...

[BobbieL]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/485470728477630464[/tweet]

Man, this makes it seem like LeBron leaving is starting to sound real, even to the Heat and the Big 3.

Hopefully we are one of the teams that has said we'd pay him the max (if LeBron decides to come here as well).

Also, regarding Houston: while I do think their roster would be lethal with LeBron, I'm not sure he/his agent thinks it would work out. Houston only talked to Rich Paul on the phone, and were not one of the three teams who were granted permission to speak with LeBron at a later date (if that opportunity ever arises). At the time of the meetings/phone calls, the Rockets would not have been able to offer LeBron the max, but I'm not sure Cleveland could have either (without some moves). However, Cleveland was apparently given permission for a possible second meeting. Therefore, it seems as if LeBron/his agent has removed Houston from contention regardless of their money situation. But that is definitely just my guess. I obviously have no idea if that's right. My only source is my brain telling me to somehow get Houston out of the equation.

Even without LeBron, Bosh would be a win for us. Let Frye walk for sure.

Bosh has become a solid defender as well. And IF he were on the Suns, with Plumlee, he would defend the 4 and not the 5 like he had to in Miami so often. Granted, in Houston playing next to Howard, from the state of Texas so that's probably a lot to like. But he would be a solid fit in Phoenix.

[bwgood77]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/485465806843564032[/tweet]

Well I'm back to getting a lil excited again. I had lost faith over the last day or so

Lets just do some math: The Cap is set at 63m. I have been paying attention to JDLAW - I think - and correct me if I am wrong
LeBron -21m is basically the max, right now 20.7, but call it 21m
Cole - unless traded - 2m
Napier - 1m for a player in his slot basically
Haslem- at minimum - 2m - probably closer to 3m actually but we will be conservative and say 3 years for 6m. (he turned down one year for 4.6m for a reason)

My math that is 26m - that leaves 37m for Wade, Bosh, Free AGent to be (Gasol, Deng etc) and 6 players. Cap holds for the other players has to be - well a million each so that is 31m for Bosh and Wade and FA to be. I guess they have the mid level.

But still 31m for Bosh, Wade and roster filler. Bosh is going to want close to 15; Wade the same thing as he OPTED OUT OF $42M DOLLARDS - WHAT WAS HE THINKING!!

Doesn't seem realistic to me that the Heat can do this? Unless this is all for show and everybody is going back to South Beach. Maybe they use the MLE for one free agent and can get a guy like Morrow for say $4-5m. But that's not great shakes really. Anderson back for the minimum; Oden back. Chalmers gone. I just am not sure that's a great team long term

Really, its Houston (who has a trade lined up with Lin - the Sixers) , Cleveland and the Suns

The Suns can get Bosh and James and that is his best team to go to . Period.

I'm pretty sure you don't have cap holds for the six guys who would fill out the roster. You can sign people up to the salary cap, and then go over it with minimum guys. So that leaves the 37.

[matt131]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/485486511295430656[/tweet]

[King4Day]

Windhorst still sucking Miami balls.

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/7/5/5872537/nba-free-agency-chris-bosh-market-lebron-james-eric-bledsoe

He's annoying. No proof, just assumes.

Ummm, we're two years from contending, AS IS... With LeBron and Bosh? We're 2 months from contending. This dude is fn annoying

Well, if you put LeBron and Bosh on every team in the NBA, that team would be instantaneously a contender, even with role players like starters with them.

That's my point. Does he not realize we do have solid depth? We would actually have 4 stars starting for us.
As is, yes we are not contenders for a ring. With those guys, it changes everything.

[letsgosuns]

Honestly, if we don't land lebron I would still love to have Bosh here. He's perfect for our system.

Completely agree. I sincerely hope we get Lebron and Bosh. However, Bosh by himself is still awesome and I think he would be perfect next to Plumlee and Len.

[King4Day]

Thinking about it further, I think Bosh would more than likely go to Dallas or Houston. He fits what the Rockets need. He'd help us but I'm not sure we'd be true contenders with just him.
I'd still like to go after him though.

[King4Day]

Wouldn't it be funny if we did land James and Bosh? Amar'e left to form a big three in NY and Nash went to LAL and was part of a big 4 (reasons are debatable).

Now all of a sudden Phoenix could have James and Bosh in town. Would be pretty amazing.

[SSOL]

Before it came out that LeBron's agent met with us, Windhorst had already stated that the Suns stood no chance, so I think he is standing by that until it happens (if it does). For some reason I now really do think LeBron is leaving. However, I think he is going back to Cleveland. It's based on absolutely nothing. The only upside is that we have heard ZERO on Bledsoe and I truly think the two (LeBron and Bledsoe) are connected. If you notice as well, all has quieted down on Hayward after Cleveland was supposedly super hot for him. Do they now have a LeBron indication? Just some between the lines things to think about.

[LBJVirus218]

What if LeBron went back to Cleveland and they didn't win, because their roster really isn't that good? They didn't exactly forge a track record for success last year. Does LeBron really want to build a legacy of winning in Miami, and losing in Cleveland?

At least in Phoenix, it would be fresh, new, and exciting. You know we'd be the most entertaining team to watch since... the 04-05 Suns. And, IMO, much more reason to think he could win here than in Cleveland with that lackluster crew. Just how good do people think Wiggins will be these first few seasons?

Look at the rest of the team:
Waiters was almost traded as he and Kyrie didn't get along

That was pure BS. Him and Kyrie are cool they've said it multiple times. Meanwhile Waiters averaged 20pts,4rebs,2ast at 46% the last 2 months...he's pretty underrated. That's not to bad for a potential 4th or 5th option who was only in his 2nd year. Who's PHX 3rd or 4th option? Gerald Green? Channing Frye? If you can retain him?

Tristan Thompson - really not great shake

He's a pretty good player. No need to bash him he pretty much is a Varejao clone. Does all the dirty work and hustle plays that don't show up on the score card.

Bennett - one year, horrible

To be honest he shouldn't have even played until after the All-Star break. He was recovering from a torn labrum and couldn't work out all summer. He was just cleared for physical activity 5 days before the season opener. He could be a bust but I'd honestly give him this year to prove himself.

Personally, I am not that impressed with Kyrie. I am going to say, BOTH Bledsoe and Dragic are better players! Yes, I said it!!

Just cause you said it doesn't make it fact. The fact is Kyrie is a former #1 pick, Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, and is just 22 years old and was just extended for 5 years. Dragic is 28 and in his prime. He's not gonna get much better.

Varejao - can't play 50 games a season

Well he played 65 last season lol. Eric Bledsoe I would think is more a concern with his recurring knee probs and with him being a bigger part of the team. He's averaged what 60 games a year? I'm sure Lebron can't wait to play with another SG with knee probs

Also why completely disregard Wiggins who was one of the most hyped prospects in the last couple years? Ya, he can totally bust but that's pretty unlikely I would say.

Cavs also have the assets to go acquire a Kevin Love or Aldridge or whoever. They have multiple draft picks plus lots of young players.

Then when you factor in staying in the East and being close to home it should swing into Cavs favor

if he goes to Cleveland - he won't win a title

[phx#7]

Amar'e left to form a big three in NY

Amare didn't leave to form a big 3, he left to the highest bidder.

[BurningHeart]

Wouldn't it be funny if we did land James and Bosh? Amar'e left to form a big three in NY and Nash went to LAL and was part of a big 4 (reasons are debatable).

Now all of a sudden Phoenix could have James and Bosh in town. Would be pretty amazing.

Yeah, it would be a great "**** you" to that scraggly-haired bitchmade ****.

[technoviking]

Before it came out that LeBron's agent met with us, Windhorst had already stated that the Suns stood no chance, so I think he is standing by that until it happens (if it does). For some reason I now really do think LeBron is leaving. However, I think he is going back to Cleveland. It's based on absolutely nothing. The only upside is that we have heard ZERO on Bledsoe and I truly think the two (LeBron and Bledsoe) are connected. If you notice as well, all has quieted down on Hayward after Cleveland was supposedly super hot for him. Do they now have a LeBron indication? Just some between the lines things to think about.

Valid point, that could have more to do with the fact that they share the same agent and said agent is obviously busy with all this LeBron stuff.

[King4Day]

Amar'e left to form a big three in NY

Amare didn't leave to form a big 3, he left to the highest bidder.

Yea I meant, 'and' formed a big 3. He left because we wouldn't guarantee him the last 2 years. But my point is, both players were part of a 'big' something where they went but in the end, Phoenix could end up with the better big 'team'

[letsgosuns]

The Suns can get Lebron And Bosh while having to clear barely any cap space. Then they can re-sign Bledsoe and even Tucker after that if they want. What team in the league can offer this lineup to Lebron:

Bledsoe/Ennis
Dragic/Green (if not traded)/Goodwin
Lebron/Tucker (if re-signed)/Warren
Bosh/Markieff Morris (if not traded)
Plumlee/Len

You are talking about four potential all-stars in your starting lineup plus a young, up and coming center who would most likely be a double-double machine on this team. Who knows, Plumlee might even turn into an all-star too. I find it hard to believe any team can offer a better roster than that. I am assuming that the Suns will trade two of Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, or Gerald Green to clear the cap space. I highly doubt they are going to trade Alex Len because he is under team control for three more years and the other three players have contracts that are up after next year. In addition, the Suns are super high on Len. If he realizes his potential and they have him together with Lebron, watch out. So if the Suns say trade Marcus Morris and maybe Green, they can replace them with either Mike Miller or Ray Allen. I would love to hang onto Gerald Green because he is one of my favorite Suns, but I would let him go if it meant getting Lebron and Bosh. The Suns have so many options here. I am sure they are going to make one hell of a presentation to Lebron.

[JMac1]

if rockets free up a max contract slot by dealing Lin

We have a serious threat on our hands to get Lebron


Harden Lebron Parsons and Howard would be better than what we would throw out there with DRagic/Bledsoe plus Lebron and a star

Who is the point guard here? Lebron is a better fit with our roster. Harden is obsolete with James!! People do have to play off of each other.

[letsgosuns]

If the Rockets were a threat, then why were they supposedly denied a meeting with Lebron's agent? That is what the reports said. The Rockets are more interested in Bosh apparently. People are also forgetting that a big reason to trade Jeremy Lin is because he sucks, not just because they want to clear cap space. I would take Ish Smith any day over Lin.

[King4Day]

What if LeBron went back to Cleveland and they didn't win, because their roster really isn't that good? They didn't exactly forge a track record for success last year. Does LeBron really want to build a legacy of winning in Miami, and losing in Cleveland?

At least in Phoenix, it would be fresh, new, and exciting. You know we'd be the most entertaining team to watch since... the 04-05 Suns. And, IMO, much more reason to think he could win here than in Cleveland with that lackluster crew. Just how good do people think Wiggins will be these first few seasons?

Look at the rest of the team:
Waiters was almost traded as he and Kyrie didn't get along

That was pure BS. Him and Kyrie are cool they've said it multiple times. Meanwhile Waiters averaged 20pts,4rebs,2ast at 46% the last 2 months...he's pretty underrated. That's not to bad for a potential 4th or 5th option who was only in his 2nd year. Who's PHX 3rd or 4th option? Gerald Green? Channing Frye? If you can retain him?

Tristan Thompson - really not great shake

He's a pretty good player. No need to bash him he pretty much is a Varejao clone. Does all the dirty work and hustle plays that don't show up on the score card.

Bennett - one year, horrible

To be honest he shouldn't have even played until after the All-Star break. He was recovering from a torn labrum and couldn't work out all summer. He was just cleared for physical activity 5 days before the season opener. He could be a bust but I'd honestly give him this year to prove himself.

Personally, I am not that impressed with Kyrie. I am going to say, BOTH Bledsoe and Dragic are better players! Yes, I said it!!

Just cause you said it doesn't make it fact. The fact is Kyrie is a former #1 pick, Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, and is just 22 years old and was just extended for 5 years. Dragic is 28 and in his prime. He's not gonna get much better.

Varejao - can't play 50 games a season

Well he played 65 last season lol. Eric Bledsoe I would think is more a concern with his recurring knee probs and with him being a bigger part of the team. He's averaged what 60 games a year? I'm sure Lebron can't wait to play with another SG with knee probs

Also why completely disregard Wiggins who was one of the most hyped prospects in the last couple years? Ya, he can totally bust but that's pretty unlikely I would say.

Cavs also have the assets to go acquire a Kevin Love or Aldridge or whoever. They have multiple draft picks plus lots of young players.

Then when you factor in staying in the East and being close to home it should swing into Cavs favor

if he goes to Cleveland - he won't win a title

There was talk last year Irving/Waiters didn't get along. If they did, it wasn't made known. I can't speak for the person who posted that but many of us go by expert feedback. No one really knows though.

I don't know enough bout Thompson or Bennett to comment.

If Dragic was in the East, he might have had a shot at the ASG and All-Star MVP too. That award, imo, doesn't mean anything. It's a game that's played and not taken too seriously by most players. It's like street ball.

I'm not certain Bledsoe's injuries are any more concerning than Irving's so that's a wash. Both players are still young (2 years apart) and both still growing.

I agree about Wiggins. He could be the next great player. It's not wrong to suggest he may not be though. Beasley and Derrick Williams were expected to play big roles in this league. Neither seem to be long for it though.

I believe you have enough to nab Love (Wiggins alone should be enough from the talent side of things). But Aldridge isn't going anywhere and it'd take more than Wiggins for that type of deal to happen. Cavs don't appear to be a good trade partner with Portland since they aren't rebuilding.

[JMac1]

What if LeBron went back to Cleveland and they didn't win, because their roster really isn't that good? They didn't exactly forge a track record for success last year. Does LeBron really want to build a legacy of winning in Miami, and losing in Cleveland?

At least in Phoenix, it would be fresh, new, and exciting. You know we'd be the most entertaining team to watch since... the 04-05 Suns. And, IMO, much more reason to think he could win here than in Cleveland with that lackluster crew. Just how good do people think Wiggins will be these first few seasons?

Look at the rest of the team:
Waiters was almost traded as he and Kyrie didn't get along

That was pure BS. Him and Kyrie are cool they've said it multiple times. Meanwhile Waiters averaged 20pts,4rebs,2ast at 46% the last 2 months...he's pretty underrated. That's not to bad for a potential 4th or 5th option who was only in his 2nd year. Who's PHX 3rd or 4th option? Gerald Green? Channing Frye? If you can retain him?

Tristan Thompson - really not great shake

He's a pretty good player. No need to bash him he pretty much is a Varejao clone. Does all the dirty work and hustle plays that don't show up on the score card.

Bennett - one year, horrible

To be honest he shouldn't have even played until after the All-Star break. He was recovering from a torn labrum and couldn't work out all summer. He was just cleared for physical activity 5 days before the season opener. He could be a bust but I'd honestly give him this year to prove himself.

Personally, I am not that impressed with Kyrie. I am going to say, BOTH Bledsoe and Dragic are better players! Yes, I said it!!

Just cause you said it doesn't make it fact. The fact is Kyrie is a former #1 pick, Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, and is just 22 years old and was just extended for 5 years. Dragic is 28 and in his prime. He's not gonna get much better.

Varejao - can't play 50 games a season

Well he played 65 last season lol. Eric Bledsoe I would think is more a concern with his recurring knee probs and with him being a bigger part of the team. He's averaged what 60 games a year? I'm sure Lebron can't wait to play with another SG with knee probs

Also why completely disregard Wiggins who was one of the most hyped prospects in the last couple years? Ya, he can totally bust but that's pretty unlikely I would say.

Cavs also have the assets to go acquire a Kevin Love or Aldridge or whoever. They have multiple draft picks plus lots of young players.

Then when you factor in staying in the East and being close to home it should swing into Cavs favor

if he goes to Cleveland - he won't win a title

I hope you feel better...... You should be telling Lebron not us.

[gaspar]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/485496057313652737[/tweet]
GTFO Bucks!

[JMac1]

This weigh in our favor!! http://heavy.com/news/2014/06/rich-paul ... cavaliers/

Rich Paul isn't down with the good old boys. He thinks for himself! All this crap people are saying hoping to influence Lebron means jack to this guy.

I bet you this guy hasn't forgotten what Gilbert said.