CP3/Rockets Negotiations

[CIN-C-STAR]

Can they even sign LeBron if they max CP3? And I agree, that max contract for CP3 is going to turn out ugly.

They'd probably have to gut the team -- like give up Ariza and Capela, and use future picks to send out Anderson, and more -- and then sign Lebron, and then sign Paul using his Bird Rights.
It's theoretically possible, but they wouldn't be adding Lebron to the same team, just to Harden and CP3.
Not that that's a bad thing at all, but anyone who thinks they can just sign Lebron without sacrificing much don't understand how the CBA works.
Not all teams get a $25 million spike in the cap at the perfect time to add another superstar in free agency

A few posts up i did the math. I don't think its possible without CP3 and LBJ both taking pay cuts.

Yeah saw that after I posted. +1, sir, good research.
But point being it's possible, if they both take a hair cut on a 1-year deal, and then next season they could get their long-term money if they want. I'm sure the organization would agree to that if it meant getting Lebron, even if it meant Paul's long-term deal would be pushed out another year and would therefore be even "worse," if that's how people want to characterize it.

[Golden Knight]

Not all teams get a $25 million spike in the cap at the perfect time to add another superstar in free agency

How many teams didn't have a 25 million spike in cap room at that perfect time to sign a superstar?

[NBAFan93]

They can’t sign him to a 5 year max deal w/ the max raises. That would be franchise suicide at his age. The poster who said no other team would offer him that is probably right. He is a good player, but tying max money up for him any longer than 3 years out is a huge risk. His injury history is no joke either.

Of course, if Houston made a promise to him to get him to come there, they need to follow through.

[whatisacenter]

CP3 + 33yo hamstrings x $$$ + (4qt beard)$$$ = O

[mtron929]

This is like the lose-lose situation for a GM. You cannot renege on a supposed verbal agreement that took place because it will kill your perception around the league and the Rockets players will be against you. Moreover, their chances of winning a title takes a hit next season. However, you pay him and he will quickly become the worst contract in the league and people will laugh at how dumb you were 2-3 years from now. This is why someone like me who gets stressed easily can't be a GM because a situation like this will shorten my lifespan.

[DaddyCool19]

Paul said he could retire earlier than most players. I'm not sure if he wants to play until he is 38. Maybe he signs a 3 year max and then retires in 2021

[HotTubMike]

This is like the lose-lose situation for a GM. You cannot renege on a supposed verbal agreement that took place because it will kill your perception around the league and the Rockets players will be against you. Moreover, their chances of winning a title takes a hit next season. However, you pay him and he will quickly become the worst contract in the league and people will laugh at how dumb you were 2-3 years from now. This is why someone like me who gets stressed easily can't be a GM because a situation like this will shorten my lifespan.

Wiggins contract will still be worse

[rocketsfan100]

If Paul dose not get re-signed you run the risk of having a angry Harden who actively recruited Paul and have become best friends

[righterwriter]

Can they even sign LeBron if they max CP3? And I agree, that max contract for CP3 is going to turn out ugly.

They'd probably have to gut the team -- like give up Ariza and Capela, and use future picks to send out Anderson, and more -- and then sign Lebron, and then sign Paul using his Bird Rights.
It's theoretically possible, but they wouldn't be adding Lebron to the same team, just to Harden and CP3.
Not that that's a bad thing at all, but anyone who thinks they can just sign Lebron without sacrificing much don't understand how the CBA works.
Not all teams get a $25 million spike in the cap at the perfect time to add another superstar in free agency

Nobody is touching Anderson's contract without shipping out an equally bad contract. I don't care how many late 1st round picks you attach to it.The guy cannot be on the court against good teams in the playoffs and he's making like $35M over the next two seasons.

If Paul takes a big deal, wave bye-bye to any hope of Lebron joining. Unless Lebron goes on a rage and signs for the MLE or something just to want to have the best shot to beat the Warriors. That'd be something

[Pillendreher]

From what I remember, it was reported that Paul was pushing for these contracts for veterans in the CBA negotiations. Doubtful he'll take a significant paycut, I reckon.

[Arteezy]

Maxing a guy with weight and injury problems, what could go wrong.

[lonzo_pelota]

i think i know how this will go for houston, just look up the street and to the east , Mike Conley
paid him an absurd amount of money and what has that gotten them, when he went down everyone on the team started playing lackadaisical and bad even they're perennial all star and stalwart DPOY , coach fired, & entire time the guy they overcompensated he's injured collecting checks smh

[antonac]

i think i know how this will go for houston, just look up the street and to the east , Mike Conley
paid him an absurd amount of money and what has that gotten them, when he went down everyone on the team started playing lackadaisical and bad even they're perennial all star and stalwart DPOY , coach fired, & entire time the guy they overcompensated he's injured collecting checks smh

Memphis weren't very good before that contract though, and they were old with no where to go.

Houston can legitimately feel like if they'd had CP3 in game 6 & 7, they'd have had a chance to get to the finals. who else is gonna do that for them? they have to go all in now while they're centerpiece is in his prime.

[Golden Knight]

Maxing a guy with weight and injury problems, what could go wrong.

and is 33 years old who would be 37/38 at the end of a 4yr/5yr contract.

[Rocketsbaby]

You guys forget the Rockets are an international team with brand new ownership. They are taking this thing global. Once we get Lebron we're bigger than the Heat. We're bigger than the Warriors. We're bigger than Effing Zeppelin and Rip Taylor (he's a God in my country).

This is about building an international brand.

[Rocketsbaby]

If I were Morey I may want to GM for another team. There's not much he can do after CP3 signs. Sucks that the new ownership was left this predicament.

Yeah, sucks competing for titles. Wish I was the Hawks and had my choice between offering Aaron Gordon or Marcus Smart a major deal and hoping their team doesn't match.


If anything the GM spot becomes more important when you don't have much space and have to get creative to fill the roster.

[yesh]

You guys forget the Rockets are an international team with brand new ownership. They are taking this thing global. Once we get Lebron we're bigger than the Heat. We're bigger than the Warriors. We're bigger than Effing Zeppelin and Rip Taylor (he's a God in my country).

This is about building an international brand.

Every man thinks he has the prettiest wife at home.

[Rocketsbaby]

You guys forget the Rockets are an international team with brand new ownership. They are taking this thing global. Once we get Lebron we're bigger than the Heat. We're bigger than the Warriors. We're bigger than Effing Zeppelin and Rip Taylor (he's a God in my country).

This is about building an international brand.

Every man thinks he has the prettiest wife at home.

But champion men still go out at night looking for a prettier one.


This is about Lebron's legacy. He comes to Houston he's still got a shot at catching/passing Jordan in titles in his career.

That's what it's all about baby. If he wants to become a billionaire, a global icon, Houston is the place to do it. They've already got the rabid international fanbase. Now they just need a Super Team to bring it home.

Lebron ain't trying to star in the movie Shazam. He's trying to sell shoes in Mongolia and Hungary. He needs the titles. Once he knocks off this Golden State team, they might stop selling Jordan shoes...

[Rocketsbaby]

Can they even sign LeBron if they max CP3? And I agree, that max contract for CP3 is going to turn out ugly.

They'd probably have to gut the team -- like give up Ariza and Capela, and use future picks to send out Anderson, and more -- and then sign Lebron, and then sign Paul using his Bird Rights.
It's theoretically possible, but they wouldn't be adding Lebron to the same team, just to Harden and CP3.
Not that that's a bad thing at all, but anyone who thinks they can just sign Lebron without sacrificing much don't understand how the CBA works.
Not all teams get a $25 million spike in the cap at the perfect time to add another superstar in free agency

Nobody is touching Anderson's contract without shipping out an equally bad contract. I don't care how many late 1st round picks you attach to it.The guy cannot be on the court against good teams in the playoffs and he's making like $35M over the next two seasons.

If Paul takes a big deal, wave bye-bye to any hope of Lebron joining. Unless Lebron goes on a rage and signs for the MLE or something just to want to have the best shot to beat the Warriors. That'd be something

C'mon man Ryno is getting Stretch Armstrong'd. Morey tweeted that already on his burner account

[yesh]

You guys forget the Rockets are an international team with brand new ownership. They are taking this thing global. Once we get Lebron we're bigger than the Heat. We're bigger than the Warriors. We're bigger than Effing Zeppelin and Rip Taylor (he's a God in my country).

This is about building an international brand.

Every man thinks he has the prettiest wife at home.

But champion men still go out at night looking for a prettier one.


This is about Lebron's legacy. He comes to Houston he's still got a shot at catching/passing Jordan in titles in his career.

That's what it's all about baby. If he wants to become a billionaire, a global icon, Houston is the place to do it. They've already got the rabid international fanbase. Now they just need a Super Team to bring it home.

Lebron ain't trying to star in the movie Shazam. He's trying to sell shoes in Mongolia and Hungary. He needs the titles. Once he knocks off this Golden State team, they might stop selling Jordan shoes...

I'm an international fan myself, and where does this notion of Hou being an international team come from?

Lebron will be a billionaire regardless of whether he goes to Hou or SAC, he's already a global icon, and any place that doesn't already know who Lebron is, isn't going to suddenly take notice of him if he goes to hou - he's already bigger than the team itself!

If he goes to Hou, then imo he instantly forgoes any illusions of taking over GOAT status. Joining with a top 5 pg of all time, and the current MVP is not something someone at his level should view as an acceptable leg up.