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

[rsavaj]

I don't understand why LeBron hasn't committed yet. We're the only team that offers the opportunity to play with Bogdan Bogdanovic.

[JMac1]

The Phoenix Suns remain an intriguing dark horse for James because general manager Ryan McDonough could offer him something no one else outside Miami can now: a second max-salary slot to pick a co-star. The Suns can quickly shed $10 million more in contracts to pursue James and a second star – perhaps Bosh, if James wanted – and they’d still be able to keep the talented core of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and center Miles Plumlee.

James’ agent Rich Paul represents Bledsoe and understands James’ commitment to the Suns would almost guarantee he could get Bledsoe a max-contract extension with the Suns.

via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports

This is huge. Lebron agent gets paid bigtime if this happens. Two max deals for him!? If everything is equal or favors the Suns' why wouldn't you as an agent steer James to PHX? Do you know how much James signing would put in the pocket of Sarver and the city of Phoenix?

Hell yea he'd give Bledsoe max without thinking and another player for at least 3 years. Hey, you only live once and you cant take it with you!!


I really like Gasol in Phoenix though. 3 year 30 million, Even though he is older our team would be better than that Laker team that two-peated, because of everyone else.

By signing Gasol instead of another max guy, we could keep our entire team intact from last year.

[toucansma]

The west would be even more crazy.

The lakers really need a point guard and a center though. The two most important positions in the nba I feel. Do they even have a coach yet?

No coach as of yet. I think Byron Scott is the leading candidate.

But I can already see their box scores:
Kobe - 8/26, 0 assists
Carmelo - 6/25, 0 assists
Everyone else on the team - 0/0

Good luck to whoever takes that position. Nash/Kobe/Melo their cap space would be destroyed by those three

Maybe Carmelo and Kobe will get assist credits for passing to themselves

[JMac1]

Bledsoe/Ennis
Dragic/Goodwin
James/Tucker/Warren
Frye/Kieff
Gasol/Len/Plumlee

[BobbieL]

If Carmelo Anthony signs with the Knicks or Lakers, they he truly does not care about winning. All he cares about is money and fame. Both of those teams situations pale in comparison to the Bulls, Rockets, and Mavs. What the hell do the Knicks have besides money to offer him? Not really anything. What do the Lakers have to offer him? A soon to be 36 year old Kobe Bryant who is coming back from a completely ruptured achilles and broken kneecap. Oh yeah, a 40 year old Steve Nash too who looks like he can barely play basketball anymore.

He could take somewhat of a small pay cut and join the Mavs who would be loaded with him. He could join the Rockets who would be the new big three with him. Or he could join the Bulls whose defense is amazing and give him a legitimate shot to win the East. But no, he supposedly wants the Knicks or Lakers. I sincerely hope that if Lebron comes to Phoenix, he brings Bosh with him instead of Carmelo.

I kind of hope Carmelo signs with LA. As you are right, its not about winning. If he wanted to win - he would figure out how to get to Chicago. That team is tailor made for him. But if he goes to LA you have Kobe -- coming off two injuries; Sacre, Randle (a rookie not even 20), Nash, if they keep him and maybe Gasol . That is not very good. And I think they would old get Gasol if they waived Nash over the buyout process like Beasley got.

The thing is, Kobe would have enough ego to not lose games -meaning a better chance at that pick not being Top 5. But not good enough to do anything

So from where I sit - I kind of hope they get Carmelo.

[BobbieL]

The Phoenix Suns remain an intriguing dark horse for James because general manager Ryan McDonough could offer him something no one else outside Miami can now: a second max-salary slot to pick a co-star. The Suns can quickly shed $10 million more in contracts to pursue James and a second star – perhaps Bosh, if James wanted – and they’d still be able to keep the talented core of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and center Miles Plumlee.

James’ agent Rich Paul represents Bledsoe and understands James’ commitment to the Suns would almost guarantee he could get Bledsoe a max-contract extension with the Suns.

via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports

This is huge. Lebron agent gets paid bigtime if this happens. Two max deals for him!? If everything is equal or favors the Suns' why wouldn't you as an agent steer James to PHX? Do you know how much James signing would put in the pocket of Sarver and the city of Phoenix?

Hell yea he'd give Bledsoe max without thinking and another player for at least 3 years. Hey, you only live once and you cant take it with you!!


I really like Gasol in Phoenix though. 3 year 30 million, Even though he is older our team would be better than that Laker team that two-peated, because of everyone else.

By signing Gasol instead of another max guy, we could keep our entire team intact from last year.

All depends on if Lebron would want to play with Gasol. But he wouldn't be a bad option

And for the person who wrote Bosh at 4/97 or Gasol at 2/25 - I agree. I would easily take Gasol at 2 for 25. Maybe even 27 or 28 if LBJ is not coming to Phoenix.

But, if LBJ isn't coming to Phoenix - its Houston or Miami
If its Miami - Bosh is going back

If its Houston - Bosh wants max money - that means Phoenix right but I still think I take Gasol for the lower dollars

If LBJ goes to Cleveland - that might mean Houston for Bosh. Who knows Gasol may want to play with Anthony and Kobe.

[technoviking]

I don't understand why LeBron hasn't committed yet. We're the only team that offers the opportunity to play with Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Extremely underrated factor, can't believe no one is talking about that.

[toucansma]

This is huge. Lebron agent gets paid bigtime if this happens. Two max deals for him!? If everything is equal or favors the Suns' why wouldn't you as an agent steer James to PHX? Do you know how much James signing would put in the pocket of Sarver and the city of Phoenix?

Hell yea he'd give Bledsoe max without thinking and another player for at least 3 years. Hey, you only live once and you cant take it with you!!


I really like Gasol in Phoenix though. 3 year 30 million, Even though he is older our team would be better than that Laker team that two-peated, because of everyone else.

By signing Gasol instead of another max guy, we could keep our entire team intact from last year.

All depends on if Lebron would want to play with Gasol. But he wouldn't be a bad option

And for the person who wrote Bosh at 4/97 or Gasol at 2/25 - I agree. I would easily take Gasol at 2 for 25. Maybe even 27 or 28 if LBJ is not coming to Phoenix.

But, if LBJ isn't coming to Phoenix - its Houston or Miami
If its Miami - Bosh is going back

If its Houston - Bosh wants max money - that means Phoenix right but I still think I take Gasol for the lower dollars

If LBJ goes to Cleveland - that might mean Houston for Bosh. Who knows Gasol may want to play with Anthony and Kobe.

Would Gasol be at PF or Center? Would he handle not getting 10,000 touches? He misses the glory days of the Lakers triangle where he was able to set up and control the ball. Now he would have Bledsoe, Dragic, and possibly LBJ who all need/want the ball in their hands. My concern is he would be fine for a month or two then start whining.

[Sunsdeuce]

I don't understand why LeBron hasn't committed yet. We're the only team that offers the opportunity to play with Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Extremely underrated factor, can't believe no one is talking about that.

How did I miss this?


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[bwgood77]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

But I'd take anything Simmons says with a rock of salt.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

I don't think so. Marshall/Bryant/Melo/LeBron/Sacre doesn't make the playoffs, and I don't think they can put enough around that to push them into the top 4 in the west. I don't think LeBron wants to be embarrassed.

[QuickLikeTheo]

I see a lot of ppl suggesting wiggins for love straight up so the cabs add that second star but I find it highly unlikely that that would happen. I'm pretty sure if that deal could have happened it would have happened before the draft.


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[Sunsdeuce]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

But I'd take anything Simmons says with a rock of salt.

They won't have the money for three max contracts. It's all moot anyway. No way in hell, melo is giving up nearly 50 million that the Knicks can offer. Knicks can offer 50 million more than any other team!


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[letsgosuns]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

But I'd take anything Simmons says with a rock of salt.

It is not possible for them to sign Carmelo and also Lebron to a max even if they got rid of everyone except Kobe Bryant. They would still be about three million or so short. I also do not think they would win anyway. They would have no point guard, no power forward, and no center. It is too difficult to win with only three great players and practically nothing else.

[matt131]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

But I'd take anything Simmons says with a rock of salt.

I obviously have no real knowledge of what LeBron thinks, but I, for some reason, can't see him playing for Kobe's team. And with Carmelo there, that team becomes so incredibly complicated. Yeah, they have three really good players, but I don't think they'd then have enough space to sign anyone else. I think it would be close to a Miami situation, but in the West.

[bwgood77]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

I don't think so. Marshall/Bryant/Melo/LeBron/Sacre doesn't make the playoffs, and I don't think they can put enough around that to push them into the top 4 in the west. I don't think LeBron wants to be embarrassed.

The Lakers have been in a lot of meetings. IF Melo is really considering LA, you can bet your ass he's talked to LeBron about it. I SERIOUSLY doubt he goes there without anyone else going there. There is more to this. I can't believe everyone is assuming he'd just join and they don't have any plans to add other pieces. They must have pitched him a pretty good scenario.

[Puff]

I really wonder what we talked about with Lebron.

I expect we certainly have offered the opportunity to acquire him and either Melo or Bosh but I also think we may have put the following on the table.

Current signed roster (Assuming we sign rookies)

Center - Plumlee, Len
PF - Markieff
SF - Marcus, TJ Warren
SG - Goran, Green, Goodwin
PG - Ennis, Ish

I think our maximum roster is 15 so that leaves 5 more available spots to fill. I would drop Ish to give us 6 spots.

I would tell him that we want to keep all of these guys and we would like to sign the following players to fill out the roster. I think we would have a very deep and talented roster while not mortgaging the future.

Lebron - yeah that's you
Frye - at a reasonable price

Now it is your turn Lebron - take your choice as long as we stay under the cap and maximum roster.

Ray Allen, Mike Miller or Rashard Lewis - (all on short term deals). If you do not want those guys then give us some other names and we will get on the phones right now. He reportedly was really disappointed when the Heat let Miller go and Ray Allen has said "I will follow him". I just throw out Rashard's name as another potential shooter that is still available.

After that process is completed we will go over the cap by signing both Bledsoe and Tucker.

We would then try to put together a package to acquire Kevin Love either prior to the season or at the trade dealine. If we cannot make the deal and he becomes a free agent we would then clear room next summer to add him as a free agent.

Basically I am saying and really believe that we are better off signing Lebron by himself and using the money that would be used for Bosh or Melo to add additional resources at this time.

Lebron may disagree, so be it.

Just my opinion.

[bwgood77]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

But I'd take anything Simmons says with a rock of salt.

It is not possible for them to sign Carmelo and also Lebron to a max even if they got rid of everyone except Kobe Bryant. They would still be about three million or so short. I also do not think they would win anyway. They would have no point guard, no power forward, and no center. It is too difficult to win with only three great players and practically nothing else.

You are right, but they could both start out at about $19.8 million and get the max raises which would just be slightly below max for LeBron and not TOO far under the max for Melo. Plus they'd make money in other ways in LA.

Lets just hope Melo stays in NY.

[bwgood77]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/billsimmons/status/485545108427653120[/tweet]
Please, please, please go to LA. If the lakers aren't already considered a mess, just wait to see this disaster!!! As lakers fans would say, "do it Mitch!"

If he goes to LA, odds that LeBron goes there go through the roof. They would get a team to take Nash and Randle in a heartbeat if need be.

But I'd take anything Simmons says with a rock of salt.

I obviously have no real knowledge of what LeBron thinks, but I, for some reason, can't see him playing for Kobe's team. And with Carmelo there, that team becomes so incredibly complicated. Yeah, they have three really good players, but I don't think they'd then have enough space to sign anyone else. I think it would be close to a Miami situation, but in the West.

You are right....I'm not sure how good they would be, but it's still been my nightmare scenario for about a month. I had a daymare about it yesterday.

[AkronsFinest91]

I see a lot of ppl suggesting wiggins for love straight up so the cabs add that second star but I find it highly unlikely that that would happen. I'm pretty sure if that deal could have happened it would have happened before the draft.

There's no guarantee that LeBron even goes back to Cleveland though. That would be stupid to trade Andrew Wiggins for Love only for Lebron to Re-sign with Miami and Kevin Love walks next year