LeBron Free Agency 2010

[the edge]

Just like last time he was a free agent, probably with the same result.

Oh, yea, if you are new to LBJ land, he resigned with the Cavaliers then.

[JKiddy]

Eddy Curry is the best thing to ever happen to the Nets. He will single-handedly bring LeBron to NJ/Brooklyn without mentioning them once. He just crushed the Knicks shot.

Thank you Eddy!!!

[RRT]

Eddy Curry is the best thing to ever happen to the Nets. He will single-handedly bring LeBron to NJ/Brooklyn without mentioning them once. He just crushed the Knicks shot.

Thank you Eddy!!!

would make sense if it was battle between JUST nets and knicks.

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

Looks like the Nets are out of the running now...

[RRT]

Haha I told them they gon lose on Nets board.

[Diggr14]

I'm a Bucks fan and I think it's totally bogus that LeBron can leave the Cavs high and dry like that.

Honestly, if a controlling team offers a player the max contract at max years.. they shouldn't be able to jump ship IMO. There is no team that can offer a better $/year situation than Cleveland. Plus, he also was just on a 60 win team... he should show a little loyalty to the fans and the organization that he grew in and has compensated him with tens of millions of dollars..

The NBA needs to work something out in the CBA so fans do not get jipped out of their star players to bigger markets and shady circumstances (World Wide Wes, that stock thing, plus all the other illegal contacts the Knicks have probably made to LeBron back channel.) They need to get this under control, because when the T-Wolves lost all those picks for circumventing the cap with Joe Smith back in the day.... the Knicks are doing far worse with this stock scheme, and have probably made several illegal contacts to LeBron and his "unofficial" inner circle.

I feel for you guys as fans, but LeBron is playing this really shady - and it pisses me off as a fan.

There's too much hype around this guy. He is not a clutch performer and he hasn't won a thing. Nevertheless, the NBA needs to nip this one stat... this has gotten way out of hand.

[kingquan316]

I'm a Bucks fan and I think it's totally bogus that LeBron can leave the Cavs high and dry like that.

Honestly, if a controlling team offers a player the max contract at max years.. they shouldn't be able to jump ship IMO. There is no team that can offer a better $/year situation than Cleveland. Plus, he also was just on a 60 win team... he should show a little loyalty to the fans and the organization that he grew in and has compensated him with tens of millions of dollars..

The NBA needs to work something out in the CBA so fans do not get jipped out of their star players to bigger markets and shady circumstances (World Wide Wes, that stock thing, plus all the other illegal contacts the Knicks have probably made to LeBron back channel.) They need to get this under control, because when the T-Wolves lost all those picks for circumventing the cap with Joe Smith back in the day.... the Knicks are doing far worse with this stock scheme, and have probably made several illegal contacts to LeBron and his "unofficial" inner circle.

I feel for you guys as fans, but LeBron is playing this really shady - and it pisses me off as a fan.

There's too much hype around this guy. He is not a clutch performer and he hasn't won a thing. Nevertheless, the NBA needs to nip this one stat... this has gotten way out of hand.

So you want the team to keep them hostage, when they are not bound to any contract? Yea the players union will agree to let that happen. Once a contract ends, the player can do whatever he wants to. There shouldn't be any damn rule about loyalty in the NBA, this is a business and if you are in a position where you see a better situation for yourself, you go for it. Whether that be in cleveland, new york, or chicago. It is the players decision, and they shouldn't be bounded to a team just cause they offer them max money. Say you work for a company that you hated, and they offer you the most money, do you think it is fair that you have no say on whether or not you want to continue working this unhappy job? Lebron can do whatever he wants to when he has no contract, and if the bucks were in the running for him, you probably would be just like the other teams, wanting him to bolt and screw cleveland.

[Diggr14]

First thing. I hate LeBron James. I hate how he treats the game. I dont like the dancing, I dont like the lack of sportsmanship after losing a series, I don't like the primadonna attitude. So, would I want him on my team, I will whole heartedely say no.

However, I do think there are a lot of people that would and many people, especially Cleveland people love this guy and have invested in him. As a paying fan in the NBA, you have a vested interest in your franchise both at the game you attend and in the future of the franchise.. because lets face it, people usually live and die liking the same team... and usually dont just decide to all of a sudden not become a fan. When you are paying a guy a max contract that no other city can match in value or years, that should trump anything offered by anyone else. These other fringe things that are being talked about and thrown around in my opinion DO circumvent the spirit of the salary cap and DO negatively effect the competitive balance in the league. I also dont believe being able to pay somene 6 years 116 Million or whatever it is as being a hostage situation. Going to a team that can only pay you 5 years 92 Million as opposed to the team that offers 6 years 116 Million for stock reasons that circumvent the cap are in my opinion not right. If all of the NBA teams were publicly traded, then maybe I'd not care.. but since the only one that is publicly traded happens to be in NY.... and happens to have made themselve publicly traded to pull this stunt. That is shady.

[gflem]

Diggr, I agree with you on the dancing and attitude thing to a point. I dont care for showing up an opponent unless the opponent has done something to deserve it ala trash talk, dirty play or showing up a teammate. And Lebron being from the area has an impact moreso than if he were from say Kansas or somewhere else.
However, he and every other player should have the right to take less $$$ to go to any team he wants for any reason. It is still a free country (maybe not for long though) and people have the right to choose whom they work for. The system that is in place is weighted for the original team to have the best chance to re-sign their own free agents.
What if the original team has a horrible fromt office like the Clippers? Should a player be obligated to play for a horrible organization for their entire career? Or, should they have to be a total piece of crap to get themselves traded? Of course not.
Players who honor their contract that they signed for the duration of the contract should have a choice of where they want to go after their contract is up. It really is that simple. If Lebron goes, so be it. I dont care for how he has played with the media and in the process left his loyal fans here hanging, but it is what it is.
I for one wont be a fan of his if he leaves, my loyalty is to the team not the player. I can still admire a players abilities while rooting against him, unless the player does something despicable like what Boozer did to our team, or something illegal. Lebron has done neither, even if he does leave via FA.

[kosmovitelli]

So you want the team to keep them hostage, when they are not bound to any contract? Yea the players union will agree to let that happen. Once a contract ends, the player can do whatever he wants to. There shouldn't be any damn rule about loyalty in the NBA, this is a business and if you are in a position where you see a better situation for yourself, you go for it. Whether that be in cleveland, new york, or chicago. It is the players decision, and they shouldn't be bounded to a team just cause they offer them max money. Say you work for a company that you hated, and they offer you the most money, do you think it is fair that you have no say on whether or not you want to continue working this unhappy job? Lebron can do whatever he wants to when he has no contract, and if the bucks were in the running for him, you probably would be just like the other teams, wanting him to bolt and screw cleveland.

Yep. Don't understand that loyalty stuff. Lebron signed a contract and he's paid good money. He didn't cheat, he played hard (at least until Boston ! LOL) and is a two-time MVP. He fulfilled his contract obligations. No problem.

Pau Gasol played well for the Lakers. Yet if Oklahoma offered Kevin Durant for him (obviously they won't do that), the Lakers would ship him immediatly to Oklahoma. Even if Pau wouldn't be happy, the Lakers would be right to do what's best for the team (acquire Kevin Durant who would take over after Kobe retires).

Both parties (the player or the team) need to take care of their own interests. Players are often traded to a team they didn't choose and rookie are restricted. It's just right that players can move to the team of their choice once they become unrestricted free agents.

[Heat3]

Outside of the Ewing years when was the last time NY was even relevant? NY being alluring to every player is a myth created by NYers. If he goes to NY and wins a ring who's gonna care? Only NYers. Remember during the All Star game when Alicia Keys was singing that NY song and everyone got quiet? LOL That's the reality. No one outside of NY cares about NY.

Obviously I want Lebron on the Heat, but he has as much to gain by taking Cleveland to a championship than NY. He already has any marketing contract he could possibly want. Winning rings brings in more money, not where you win them. The Bulls had a terrible history until they got MJ now look at him? His own Nike brand, owns a team, marketing/cultural icon. All because of winning, not the city.

[RRT]

The story that came out about him buying part of the Knicks, makes ALOT of sense.

sidenote, why would LeBron's number be #25 in Miami?>

[hammel123]

LeBron specifically asked for Shaq and Jamison so the Cavs went out and got those guys. Say what you want about the age of the team, etc but the fact is the Cavaliers went out and got almost perfect role players to put around LeBron and he still couldn't get out of the 2nd round of the playoffs. Based on his body language he wasn't the least bit depressed about losing. LeBron is all about being the center of attention. This offseason will be a circus.

see that's where Cavs mngt went Wrong. Went and signed first available player - very short sighted and that's what cost them. LA and Miami kept Kobe./Wade clamoring for help for years, but they waited till the right player came along. In Wade's case still waiting.

Mngt has all the leverage till contract year. Should've went all out to get Stoudemire *last* year (only legit all-star) that came on the market. Otherwise keep as much cap as possible

[gflem]

According to wiretap Lebron had a lot of say as to what trades did and didnt happen. Not surprised, but that means he has more responsibility in the failure than just what happened on the floor. If he tries to blame Ferry for not getting him enough talent as many here have done, it would make him look rather silly.
I can understand Ferry getting input, but allowing players to veto potential trades is like opening pandora's box. I remember the days when players played, coaches coached, and the FO took care of the business side of things. Sadly, those days are long gone.

[madmaxmedia]

That's easy to say in hindsight after the Cavs got bounced in the second round. Until then, I think the Cavs moves were almost universally praised- they were able to add 2 solid players and give up almost nothing for them, to a team that made the ECF last year and had the best record in the NBA.

The Cavs obviously didn't have the luxury of waiting, since LeBron is a FA right now.

see that's where Cavs mngt went Wrong. Went and signed first available player - very short sighted and that's what cost them. LA and Miami kept Kobe./Wade clamoring for help for years, but they waited till the right player came along. In Wade's case still waiting.

Mngt has all the leverage till contract year. Should've went all out to get Stoudemire *last* year (only legit all-star) that came on the market. Otherwise keep as much cap as possible

[Baseline Runner]

I know we already have a topic on Lebron's free agency but I just wanted to get a poll on how many people think Lebron will be staying at this point. During the season most of us were confident he would resign (and we were confident we'd win the chip too). Now that things are so gloomy around here I wonder what fellow Cavs fans think now.

[Triumph36]

Tough to say without knowing what Ferry(if he even stays here) plans on doing wrt trades/the draft/etc.

With this team as is, leaves. If we make a significant acquisition, stays.

[Tango21]

I posted this in the Lebron dont leave Cleveland thread already but Im irrelevant to the Lebron thing cuz Im a T-Wolves fan. But it would be BS if Lebron left Cleveland and I hope he stays. You can tell how much Cleveland embraces him and it would suck if he played anywhere else. Especially the Knicks. Cleveland offers just as much as the knicks do plus all his family/friends are there.

I truly hope he stays in Cleveland for you guys

[kayjax]

NBAextra.com says (In a profanity-laced tirade) LBJ23 wears a Knicks jersey next season. Interesting uncensored site, dude drops F-Bombs like their going out of style. I left a message in his 'Forum' to dial it down a notch.

[kosmovitelli]

That's easy to say in hindsight after the Cavs got bounced in the second round. Until then, I think the Cavs moves were almost universally praised- they were able to add 2 solid players and give up almost nothing for them, to a team that made the ECF last year and had the best record in the NBA.

The Cavs obviously didn't have the luxury of waiting, since LeBron is a FA right now.

I agree with that. Remember when Kobe threw his GM (Micth Kupchak) and teammate (Andrew Bynum) under the bus because he was unhappy Kupchak refused to part with Bynum in order to obtain Jason Kidd and the trade ith NJ collapsed. Problem is it was in 2007 and Kobe had four more years left on his contract (at best he could opt out in 2009).

When he became a free agent in 2004, the Lakers had let go Phil Jackson and traded Shaq before Kobe resigned. Obviously they also accepted Kobe's terms and would have done everything to keep Kobe happy.

It doesn't mean Cavs management was right but you have to put yourself in their shoes.