Lou Williams Rumor

[geiger]

Cavs can offer Williams a maximum of $3.65 million starting salary and that's presuming Eric Snow retires. If he doesn't, they can't offer him above $770,000.

Smith is likely going to either stay in Atlanta or get moved in a sign and trade to a team other than the Sixers. I would be pretty shocked if he landed here since it will take more than just Iguodala to land and I'm not sure what would happen to Young if we trade for him - likely we'd have to make another trade, moving Young. Not impossible though. If we can move Young and other pieces for a solid SG, all of a sudden we have a lot of rebounding, defense and shot blocking from the 3, 4 and 5 spots - although not a lot of shooting.

Gordon is out of his mind if he thinks that as a streaky, 6-2 SG who plays no defense and has no PG skills, someone will pay him what Deng is making - 6 years and $71 million. But that's what he seems to want.

Iggy is to be determined. I'm all but positive Stefanski will re-sign Williams.

Nuggets traded Camby just so they could have enough money to re-sign Smith so I don't see them letting him leave for an MLE offer. I think they match, although I'm guessing they are looking to sign him to a smaller and shorter deal and then look to see if they can make another move involving Martin or possibly Iverson.

Our guys can join in whatever they want. No one other than Memphis can pay them and Memphis has no need for PGs or SFs and seem intent on preserving their cap space.

Smith is in a wait and see game, which is understandable from both sides since at most, he's an MLE player.

Smith has issues with his coach, and the management in Atalanta is disfunctional.

I think Gordon's issue is being overvlown, but if it's an ego thing, he'll have to go on the market next year. NO ONE will pay him more than $12 million a season over 6 years that he thinks he deserves.

Williams and Iggy will either have to take what we offer, or in William's case sign with someone else for MLE or less and have us match it. Iggy can become a FA next year if he takes a qualifying offer, but I doubt his agent is stupid enough to go that route. No one will pay him more next year, when teams are trying to free up cap space for Kobe, Wade, LeBron, Bosh, Amare, et. al.

[The Guilty Party]

Cavs can offer Williams a maximum of $3.65 million starting salary and that's presuming Eric Snow retires. If he doesn't, they can't offer him above $770,000.

Who did the Cavs use the MLE on??

[mg]

Cavs haven't used their MLE. Why can't they use that on Williams(although I doubt they will)?

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Cavs can offer Williams a maximum of $3.65 million starting salary and that's presuming Eric Snow retires. If he doesn't, they can't offer him above $770,000.

Smith is likely going to either stay in Atlanta or get moved in a sign and trade to a team other than the Sixers. I would be pretty shocked if he landed here since it will take more than just Iguodala to land and I'm not sure what would happen to Young if we trade for him - likely we'd have to make another trade, moving Young. Not impossible though. If we can move Young and other pieces for a solid SG, all of a sudden we have a lot of rebounding, defense and shot blocking from the 3, 4 and 5 spots - although not a lot of shooting.

Gordon is out of his mind if he thinks that as a streaky, 6-2 SG who plays no defense and has no PG skills, someone will pay him what Deng is making - 6 years and $71 million. But that's what he seems to want.

Iggy is to be determined. I'm all but positive Stefanski will re-sign Williams.

Nuggets traded Camby just so they could have enough money to re-sign Smith so I don't see them letting him leave for an MLE offer. I think they match, although I'm guessing they are looking to sign him to a smaller and shorter deal and then look to see if they can make another move involving Martin or possibly Iverson.

Our guys can join in whatever they want. No one other than Memphis can pay them and Memphis has no need for PGs or SFs and seem intent on preserving their cap space.

Smith is in a wait and see game, which is understandable from both sides since at most, he's an MLE player.

Smith has issues with his coach, and the management in Atalanta is disfunctional.

I don't know about you, but blocks tend to lead to transition buckets and Josh Smith's one of the greatest weak side shotblockers, potentially ever at 3 a game last year. One of the reasons Josh Smith would've fit smooth here, is: Imagine Josh Smith blocking a shot and Andre Miller going to recoup the ball and we have our guys running on the break. Smith being one of the fastest guys in basketball. Smith isn't an AS caliber offensive player. But he's a hell of a piece to a franchise. MLE is real low ball.

I think Gordon's issue is being overvlown, but if it's an ego thing, he'll have to go on the market next year. NO ONE will pay him more than $12 million a season over 6 years that he thinks he deserves.

Williams and Iggy will either have to take what we offer, or in William's case sign with someone else for MLE or less and have us match it. Iggy can become a FA next year if he takes a qualifying offer, but I doubt his agent is stupid enough to go that route. No one will pay him more next year, when teams are trying to free up cap space for Kobe, Wade, LeBron, Bosh, Amare, et. al.

[The Guilty Party]

Cavs haven't used their MLE. Why can't they use that on Williams(although I doubt they will)?

They can use their MLE on Williams. This board is becoming flooded with false statements.

[jmon]

Cavs haven't used their MLE. Why can't they use that on Williams(although I doubt they will)?

They can use their MLE on Williams. This board is becoming flooded with false statements.

I never understand why people who don't seem to have basic understanding of the CBA make such definitive statements about it. If I say something I am 90% sure about, I normally say "It is my understanding that..." or I provide a link to why I think one way. I never really understood saying things out of the blue. I haven't looked at Cleveland's situation, but I do think that they have their full MLE which would be 32 million over 5 years.

[geiger]

You are allowed to use the MLE once every two years. You cannot use your MLE in two consecutive seasons.

Williams rumors simmer
0 Speak Out July 30 PhillyBurbs.com (scroll down)
"In other news, a report in Tuesday's Willoughby [Ohio] News-Herald quotes a league source as saying the Cavaliers "have talked to" restricted free agent guard Lou Williams.

Williams "has reportedly turned down a contract starting at $3.9 million from the Sixers," according to the story. But the best Cleveland would be able to do is a contract starting at $3.65 million, and that can't happen until ex-Sixer Eric Snow's impending injury retirement opens up half of his $7.3 million salary.

The only other way the Cavs, who are considerably above the salary cap, could obtain Williams, a fourth-year pro who averaged 11.5 points last season, would be in a sign-and-trade deal. Williams earned $800,000 in 2007-08."

[geiger]

Correction, it's the LLE that can only be used once every two years. I have no idea why they reported Cavs can't extend him an MLE offer come to think of it.

[geiger]

Luxury tax. That's what the Philly Burbs article was referring two. Cavs owner doesn't want to pay the luxury tax this season. If Snow retires, they'll be $3.6 million under the luxury tax threshold. If they sign him to the full MLE - about $5.6 million, they will in effect be paying a bit over $7.6 million for Lou Williams.

[The Sixer Fixer]

Luxury tax. That's what the Philly Burbs article was referring two. Cavs owner doesn't want to pay the luxury tax this season. If Snow retires, they'll be $3.6 million under the luxury tax threshold. If they sign him to the full MLE - about $5.6 million, they will in effect be paying a bit over $7.6 million for Lou Williams.

If the Cavs signed Lou to the fulll MLE, I'm sure they would renounce West (which would free up another 2.7+ mil). I'm wondering if that is being factored into the 3.6 mil under the luxury threshold or not. If it's not, then the could offer the full MLE to Lou, renounce Delonte and they would still be under the luxury tax line.

[Smooth32]

I really wouldn't worry about this.

The Cavs are just exploring alternative options, should West leave. If West leaves, Williams is one among several alternative routes the Cavs have already explored.

Now the Cavs could try to sign Lou Will after they re-sign West, but it's highly unlikely (3 smallish, combo guards? I don't think so).

I'd love Williams, but I don't think anything will come of this. The Cavs will re-sign West and Williams will pretty much be a Sixer.

[jmon]

STOP geiger. Stop making incorrect statements. Ask questions since you don't know what you are talking about and are quoting a terrible source.

If Snow retires, he still counts against the cap. He would have to be forced into retirement due to injury issues to even have a chance at not being counted in their team salary. This is possible, but it is not the same thing as merely retiring as you are making it out to be.

The Cavs do not want to appear cheap, so the last thing they want to do is make it look like they are putting an inferior team around LeBron just to save a few million. That is playing with fire, because LeBron can then use that as an excuse to leave and could then leave as the "good guy."

As someone else just said, they are paying the luxury tax no matter what, so just stop.

[Phillyboy]

As you know I'm not the least bit surprised that Lou is drawing interest.

I say again, don't be surpised if we have to match an MLE-esque offer before the summer's over. Of our two RFAs this is the guy we'd be truly foolish to let go.

[jmon]

As you know I'm not the least bit surprised that Lou is drawing interest.

I say again, don't be surpised if we have to match an MLE-esque offer before the summer's over. Of our two RFAs this is the guy we'd be truly foolish to let go.

I am with you here. For sure. Luckily Memphis has 17 guards or else they would have been wise to go after him. I don't think anyone will throw an offer at Lou, unless it is a PR move because the Sixers will match.

[ckchen]

As you know I'm not the least bit surprised that Lou is drawing interest.

I say again, don't be surpised if we have to match an MLE-esque offer before the summer's over. Of our two RFAs this is the guy we'd be truly foolish to let go.

Actually, I would be very surprised if Lou Williams commanded an entire MLE offer from another team. If you look at the comparables out there (Gibson, Gomes, Vujacic) - none of these commanded a full MLE.

Gibson: 5 yrs / $20.8 M
Gomes: 5 yrs / $22 M
Vujacic: 3 yrs / $15 M

As much as we all think the world of Lou Will - I just don't see the market justifying a full MLE offer when most of the guys in a similar situation are getting deals averaging $4-5M a year.

[tk76]

If the Sixers lock Lou in to a Gibson or Gomes like deal over 6 years (6yr/29M?) they will be really fortunate. Especially if it is a front loaded contract. My guess is he will get a 5th or 6th year player option that I expect him to opt out of.

[geiger]

I would be surprised as well, but I think Sixers would still match it. Can't see Cavs doing that for a guy they aren't likely to get considering where it would put them with West. Plus, not so sure Lou is such a great fit for them. They have an offensive minded shooter in Gibson at the point. They still have Jones. West was a guy who can shoot the 3 and is a bigger PG who can defend well and can play a little 2 and run with Gibson. Lou and Gibson can't play in the same back court and Lou isn't a very good defender. Plus he's more of a guy who drives than shoots and they need spot up shooters to keep lane open for LeBron and Z.

[tk76]

I guess this can be locked.

I root for West to succeed, hope he gets a decent deal from the Cavs (actually I hope they overpay him