RealGM

I am getting tired of reading about blowing up the Celtics. It assumes we are slipping, not as competitive as we need to be, and our guys are getting old.

Let's assume for a second we are the defending champs. Let's also assume we beat the Cavs in the playoffs again this year. Danny will definitely have a dilemma. It's just won't be Danny Ainge, it'll be Danny Ferry.

The Cavs will have to seriously question if they should continue to try and win it in 2009/2010 or go into Lebron replacement mode and move Lebron as an expiring contract. If they keep their foot on the gas and try to win it in 2009/2010 and don't, then Lebron is history and the Cavs will get no compensation.

If I were one of the GM's positioning to get Lebron in 2010 and I was not sure I am getting him as a UFA, then I would likely throw some pretty compelling trade scenarios at Cleveland to try and get him on my team and an edge in the Lebron sweepstakes. Correct me if I am wrong, but the team he plays for has an edge in compensation they can offer, and it's always better to try and establish a relationship edge if he's in your organization already.

Because there are so many teams lining up for 2010, I gotta believe there will be some pretty good looking trade scenarios offered to Cleveland. What will Danny (Ferry) do?

I believe if we get by Cleveland this year, we will see Lebron in a new uni in 2009/2010.

Danny (Ferry) doesn't necessarily have to trade him in 2009/2010. He could just workout a sign and trade with another team in 2010 if Lebron is definately not going to resign in Cleveland.

I would never prepare for a rebuild in their situation. If they try to step on the break during 2009 LeBron will leave. But if they are still willing to pay a the price for a contending team, the chances are high that LeBron re-signs.

Danny Ferry's dilemma is forthcoming this trade deadline. Should he chip in Wally for another contract? The Cavs payroll is reasonable if Wally expires and they would be able to pay Varejao to stay. But if they replace Wally with an impact player Varejao will be gone. So I think the Cavs need to upgrade Wally into a player that replaces short-term Wally and longterm Varejao.

The future of the Cavs is very bright though. Playing on this level Mo & Delonte are reasonably paid. Big Z and Big Ben will stay for significantly less. Only Gibson (and maybe Varejao in the future) is overpaid in my book. If James stays (which I think is realistic) the Cavs have the right contracts to position themselves as a very successful franchise in terms of economics and championships.

I agree, I am expecting a trade for the Cavs before the deadline. It'll be interesting to see how it effects their chemistry, inside or outside game, etc.

In a way, I was trying to make a point. Having us talk about trading one of the big three assumes we're not going to win. If any of the top teams (Cleveland, Orlando, Lakers, etc) do not win, you can expect changes. I think the odds of Ray being traded as an expiring next year are currently just as good as Lebron being moved.

LeBron is going to sign an extension this offseason or next , he can always demand a trade later on. Most of the max type FA's took shorter deals because at the time revenues were way up and this would allow them to either wait on a new CBA that could give them more money or they could sign the longest deal possible under the old rules. My guess guys will take option 2.

the line of thinking in the OP is basically flawed the same way Jesus Juice's thread about us blowing things up is flawed. Because it is so hard to get to the top of the hill, you can not step down voluntarily.

They'll never trade LeBron;

While a team could conceivably make a decent offer, they'd never trade a true young star for him - and that's the only deal that would make it worth the Cavalier's while.

They'd be better off calling another team's bluff and letting LeBron take a lesser salary elsewhere, then having huge cap room themselves and trying to sign another star;