*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (3 Viewers)

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Name them.

You mentioned Ariza, Battier, Jeffries and Martin earlier. Thats 30 million dollars worth of 42% shooting. and thats ignoring the luxury tax.

Those aren't bad contracts. Look at the years on them

So? Should Dan Gilbert get excited that its only costing 30+ million in year one and 18+ the next two years after that for a couple of draft picks of completely unknown value?

 

[simmonjm]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

Johnson & Amare is nothing more than a #4 seed. Hawks had more talent on their team. Thats not a chamionship team so why bother. Joe Johnson is a decent player but not worth a max deal. This would be Allan Houston all over again.

Joe Johnson is a lot better player than Allen Houston was. I think the Allan Houston deal was the worst max contract given out. A one dimensional scorer given a max deal? Made zero sense.And who knows what Johnson and Amare would be? That is why they play the games. D'Antoni will have two players that fit his O to go along with some interesting young talent.

Maybe you all arent familiar with the Knicks franchise the past 10 years+ but they have sucked. Having the opportunity to gain a #4 seed in playoffs would be a massive improvement. Allan Houston got the Knicks to the NBA finals and was the heart and soul of those past Knick teams, overpaid perhaps but he certainly served a purpose and kept fans coming to MSG.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Name them.

You mentioned Ariza, Battier, Jeffries and Martin earlier. Thats 30 million dollars worth of 42% shooting. and thats ignoring the luxury tax.

Those aren't bad contracts. Look at the years on them

So? Should Dan Gilbert get excited

that its only costing 30+ million in year one and 18+ the next two years after that for a couple of draft picks of completely unknown value?

Extremely. Multiple players that are cheap, talented and/or come off the books quickly plus multiple first round picks (or at least one). You never want to get back many players that are cap strap and long term in this situation.

Again, who can offer up a similar trade that I mentioned? TOR must get players back and ideally some that come off the books in a year and potentially multiple first round picks?

 

[simmonjm]

Rockets could offer something like thisRockets sign & trade for Bosh:+luis scola+jordan hill+shane battier (expiring contract)+rights to swap 2011 first round picks with new york+2011 second round pick+2012 first round pick+$3 million cash

Goggins, you could offer 10 first round picks and the Cavs would turn it down, Lebron is a once and a lifetime player besides once a team gets Lebron their draft picks are worthless. Cleveland performing a sign and trade for Lebron is the equivalent of a divorced husband who cheated on his ex asking her to co-sign on a car loan for his misstress saying look at the bright side this will help your credit score.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Name them.

You mentioned Ariza, Battier, Jeffries and Martin earlier. Thats 30 million dollars worth of 42% shooting. and thats ignoring the luxury tax.

Those aren't bad contracts. Look at the years on them

So? Should Dan Gilbert get excited

that its only costing 30+ million in year one and 18+ the next two years after that for a couple of draft picks of completely unknown value?

Extremely. Multiple players that are cheap, talented and/or come off the books quickly plus multiple first round picks (or at least one). You never want to get back many players that are cap strap and long term in this situation.

Again, who can offer up a similar trade that I mentioned? TOR must get players back and ideally some that come off the books in a year and potentially multiple first round picks?

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Rockets could offer something like thisRockets sign & trade for Bosh:+luis scola+jordan hill+shane battier (expiring contract)+rights to swap 2011 first round picks with new york+2011 second round pick+2012 first round pick+$3 million cash

Goggins, you could offer 10 first round picks and the Cavs would turn it down, Lebron is a once and a lifetime player besides once a team gets Lebron their draft picks are worthless. Cleveland performing a sign and trade for Lebron is the equivalent of a divorced husband who cheated on his ex asking her to co-sign on a car loan for his misstress saying look at the bright side this will help your credit score.

Stop. Please. The Cavs are not going to shoot themselves in the foot, ruining their franchise for many many years just to spit Lebron? The Rockets have the right to swap with Knicks in next years draft (unless Knicks pick overall) plus have the Knicks 2012 first round pick. The Knicks are terrible.Again, the CAVS and TOR need to take the best offer or they can simply not take one meanwhile the player leaving will be on their books and they won't be able to acquire players as they could in a trade.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

Do Bosh and Lebron want to earn the max? If so they must do a sign and trade with their teams first or leave 20-30mm on the table. Your trade off the $$$ doesn't match unless they threw in $$$.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

Do Bosh and Lebron want to earn the max? If so they must do a sign and trade with their teams first or leave 20-30mm on the table. Your trade off the $$$ doesn't match unless they threw in $$$.

Ok throw in Caron Butler? Don't you realize it doesn't matter? How do you expect this to go?Bosh: Sign and trade me to the Bulls!TOR: NO we will only sign and trade with the Rockets. We absolutely need those Knicks picks even though nobody has any idea how good they will be until after they use their cap space!Bosh: Deal!

 

[tommyGunZ]

Absolutely ZERO chance LeBron goes to Houston. Zilch. These imaginary trade offers are a joke.

And no Goggins, trades don't have to be even money in the NBA if one of the teams is under the cap and can absorb additional salary.

 

[This_Guy]

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

Do Bosh and Lebron want to earn the max? If so they must do a sign and trade with their teams first or leave 20-30mm on the table. Your trade off the $$$ doesn't match unless they threw in $$$.

This isn't true. Most of the difference in the contracts between what the Cavs can offer and what other teams can offer is wrapped up in the 6th year that only Cleveland can offer. The difference in money is about $5 million over the 5 year life of the contract. So it works out to an average of about $1 million a year. Certainly a lot of money but not all that significant relative to the ~$20 million average he will be making each year in the deal.I don't think Lebron is going to waste a lot of time worrying about that extra money. He may, as a good will gesture, let Gilbert know he is going to sign with a certain team and give him a short window to work out a sign and trade to get the Cavs a little something back in the deal and Lebron a slight bump in pay. The Cavs will likely decline because it will be a huge PR hit to do a sign & trade but if they do try they will have a couple of days to work with the team Lebron tells him he is going to. If they don't get it done quickly it wont happen.

LeBron holds all the cards here and isn't going to waste a bunch of effort on the logistics of a sign and trade.

 

[Major]

Absolutely ZERO chance LeBron goes to Houston. Zilch. These imaginary trade offers are a joke.And no Goggins, trades don't have to be even money in the NBA if one of the teams is under the cap and can absorb additional salary.

While I don't see Lebron signing with Clutch City, I can definitely see Bosh coming back to his home state to play for the Rockets....

 

[Steelfan7]

Rockets could offer something like thisRockets sign & trade for Bosh:+luis scola+jordan hill+shane battier (expiring contract)+rights to swap 2011 first round picks with new york+2011 second round pick+2012 first round pick+$3 million cash

Goggins, you could offer 10 first round picks and the Cavs would turn it down, Lebron is a once and a lifetime player besides once a team gets Lebron their draft picks are worthless. Cleveland performing a sign and trade for Lebron is the equivalent of a divorced husband who cheated on his ex asking her to co-sign on a car loan for his misstress saying look at the bright side this will help your credit score.

Stop. Please. The Cavs are not going to shoot themselves in the foot, ruining their franchise for many many years just to spit Lebron? The Rockets have the right to swap with Knicks in next years draft (unless Knicks pick overall) plus have the Knicks 2012 first round pick. The Knicks are terrible.Again, the CAVS and TOR need to take the best offer or they can simply not take one meanwhile the player leaving will be on their books and they won't be able to acquire players as they could in a trade.

Knicks are going to have a revamped roster this yr. Their pick won't be a lottery pick.

 

[Steelfan7]

3. If LeBron leaves, they are best served at blowing the whole thing up and starting over. I believe they'll still be over the cap or darn close to it. They need to dump salary. Getting a couple decent players and draft picks for LeBron isn't going to help the franchise. They would still be a lottery team.

I think you're right and they won't sign-and-trade him. However, it would be a mistake. Of course they shouldn't accept a bad contract back like Deng, Eddy Curry, Beasley, etc., but a large trade exception and a couple of picks can help them rebuild. The owner could also get cash considerations. Although cash won't help the team, Gilbert could be leaving millions of dollars on the table.

If LeBron leaves, the value of the Cleveland franchise will plummet $150 million from what I've heard estimated. Not sure if there's a maximum amount of $$$ that one team can fork over in a trade, but let's say some team does give $10 million in the LeBron deal. That's nothing in the grand scheme of things if they lose LBJ. Cleveland basically has 2 things going for them as they try and resign LeBron:

1. They're LeBron's "home."

2. They can pay LBJ more than any other team.

IMO, it would be horrible strategy for the team to cave in on #2. This is uber high stakes poker and Cleveland needs to maximize their leverage by refusing to trade him. This puts all the pressure on LeBron.

Essentially, Cleveland is already pot committed for $150 million. IMO, there's no realistic trade that justifies the Cavs not seeing this all the way through. It's either LBJ or bust.

If they let him go 17mm counts against their cap next year and promise you this will not happen. Lebron won't leave 20mm on the table and the Cavs not getting anything while 17mm against their cap simply won't happen.Yes they can and then trade him. Sign and trade is best for not only the Cavs but Lebron as well.

Are you sure this is correct?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Steelfan> he is Completely wrong.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

3. If LeBron leaves, they are best served at blowing the whole thing up and starting over. I believe they'll still be over the cap or darn close to it. They need to dump salary. Getting a couple decent players and draft picks for LeBron isn't going to help the franchise. They would still be a lottery team.

I think you're right and they won't sign-and-trade him. However, it would be a mistake. Of course they shouldn't accept a bad contract back like Deng, Eddy Curry, Beasley, etc., but a large trade exception and a couple of picks can help them rebuild. The owner could also get cash considerations. Although cash won't help the team, Gilbert could be leaving millions of dollars on the table.

If LeBron leaves, the value of the Cleveland franchise will plummet $150 million from what I've heard estimated. Not sure if there's a maximum amount of $$$ that one team can fork over in a trade, but let's say some team does give $10 million in the LeBron deal. That's nothing in the grand scheme of things if they lose LBJ. Cleveland basically has 2 things going for them as they try and resign LeBron:

1. They're LeBron's "home."

2. They can pay LBJ more than any other team.

IMO, it would be horrible strategy for the team to cave in on #2. This is uber high stakes poker and Cleveland needs to maximize their leverage by refusing to trade him. This puts all the pressure on LeBron.

Essentially, Cleveland is already pot committed for $150 million. IMO, there's no realistic trade that justifies the Cavs not seeing this all the way through. It's either LBJ or bust.

If they let him go 17mm counts against their cap next year and promise you this will not happen. Lebron won't leave 20mm on the table and the Cavs not getting anything while 17mm against their cap simply won't happen.Yes they can and then trade him. Sign and trade is best for not only the Cavs but Lebron as well.

Are you sure this is correct?

not one thing he has said in this thread is correct.goggy> stop, please. i know it's not malicious or intentional, but you're peeing on yourself and the thread. back away.

hugs,

CQ

 

[Bobcat10]

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

Do Bosh and Lebron want to earn the max? If so they must do a sign and trade with their teams first or leave 20-30mm on the table. Your trade off the $$$ doesn't match unless they threw in $$$.

This isn't true. Most of the difference in the contracts between what the Cavs can offer and what other teams can offer is wrapped up in the 6th year that only Cleveland can offer. The difference in money is about $5 million over the 5 year life of the contract. So it works out to an average of about $1 million a year. Certainly a lot of money but not all that significant relative to the ~$20 million average he will be making each year in the deal.I don't think Lebron is going to waste a lot of time worrying about that extra money. He may, as a good will gesture, let Gilbert know he is going to sign with a certain team and give him a short window to work out a sign and trade to get the Cavs a little something back in the deal and Lebron a slight bump in pay. The Cavs will likely decline because it will be a huge PR hit to do a sign & trade but if they do try they will have a couple of days to work with the team Lebron tells him he is going to. If they don't get it done quickly it wont happen.

LeBron holds all the cards here and isn't going to waste a bunch of effort on the logistics of a sign and trade.

Maybe breaking down Lebron's contract year by year with say the Heat vs Cavs would help....and maybe a link. I didn't think years 1 thru 5 were any different no matter where he signs.

 

[boubucarow]

This is bizarre.

Broussard is talking about LeBron and Bosh taking less money to play together. Miami in the lead with Chicago right behind. The Knicks trying to convince James, Bosh, and Johnson to come for less money. Wade, James, and Bosh actually met and talked.

My guess is it comes down to whether James and Wade want to dominate the league or if they want to meet every year in the conference finals. Of course, none of that would be certain. But I think we forget that Wade is the 2nd best player in the NBA behind James and if he gets the needed support, the Heat are a contender.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Absolutely ZERO chance LeBron goes to Houston. Zilch. These imaginary trade offers are a joke.

And no Goggins, trades don't have to be even money in the NBA if one of the teams is under the cap and can absorb additional salary.

Not many are.

 

[Juxtatarot]

The money matched, what's your point?

No it doesn't match. If a team is under the cap, they can take on salary up to the cap without sending some back.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

Do Bosh and Lebron want to earn the max? If so they must do a sign and trade with their teams first or leave 20-30mm on the table. Your trade off the $$$ doesn't match unless they threw in $$$.

This isn't true. Most of the difference in the contracts between what the Cavs can offer and what other teams can offer is wrapped up in the 6th year that only Cleveland can offer. The difference in money is about $5 million over the 5 year life of the contract. So it works out to an average of about $1 million a year. Certainly a lot of money but not all that significant relative to the ~$20 million average he will be making each year in the deal.I don't think Lebron is going to waste a lot of time worrying about that extra money. He may, as a good will gesture, let Gilbert know he is going to sign with a certain team and give him a short window to work out a sign and trade to get the Cavs a little something back in the deal and Lebron a slight bump in pay. The Cavs will likely decline because it will be a huge PR hit to do a sign & trade but if they do try they will have a couple of days to work with the team Lebron tells him he is going to. If they don't get it done quickly it wont happen.

LeBron holds all the cards here and isn't going to waste a bunch of effort on the logistics of a sign and trade.

Maybe breaking down Lebron's contract year by year with say the Heat vs Cavs would help....and maybe a link. I didn't think years 1 thru 5 were any different no matter where he signs.

With CLE it is maybe 2-5% more per year. Not much in the big picture.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Absolutely ZERO chance LeBron goes to Houston. Zilch. These imaginary trade offers are a joke.

And no Goggins, trades don't have to be even money in the NBA if one of the teams is under the cap and can absorb additional salary.

Not many are.

Wrong again.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Absolutely ZERO chance LeBron goes to Houston. Zilch. These imaginary trade offers are a joke.And no Goggins, trades don't have to be even money in the NBA if one of the teams is under the cap and can absorb additional salary.

While I don't see Lebron signing with Clutch City, I can definitely see Bosh coming back to his home state to play for the Rockets....

I don't see Lebron signing with Houston either and agree with you on Bosh. I wish this soap opera would end though.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Absolutely ZERO chance LeBron goes to Houston. Zilch. These imaginary trade offers are a joke.

And no Goggins, trades don't have to be even money in the NBA if one of the teams is under the cap and can absorb additional salary.

Not many are.

Have you read a single article about free agency in the last two years?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

This thread has really taken a bad turn.

I'm glad I'm on record saying Wade is my favorite player so that I don't look like a huge bandwagoner when the heat have lebron and bosh with Riley back on the bench.

 

[Walton Goggins]

If this is true, this is some of the gayest stuff I've ever heard

Sources close to the situation said Monday night that three of the biggest names in basketball -- Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James -- met over the weekend in Miami to seriously discuss their futures, with a focus on the increasingly plausible possibility of those three teaming up with Wade's Heat.

Funny but a Jordan, Kobe, Bird, Magic, etc type would never do this.

 

[Bobcat10]

Its an irrelevant question. Bosh isn't under contract with the Raptors. They cant force him to sign with a certain team to look for a better deal. But since you asked the Mavs could offer up the fake Dampier contract, Rodrigue Beaubois plus picks.

Do Bosh and Lebron want to earn the max? If so they must do a sign and trade with their teams first or leave 20-30mm on the table. Your trade off the $$$ doesn't match unless they threw in $$$.

This isn't true. Most of the difference in the contracts between what the Cavs can offer and what other teams can offer is wrapped up in the 6th year that only Cleveland can offer. The difference in money is about $5 million over the 5 year life of the contract. So it works out to an average of about $1 million a year. Certainly a lot of money but not all that significant relative to the ~$20 million average he will be making each year in the deal.I don't think Lebron is going to waste a lot of time worrying about that extra money. He may, as a good will gesture, let Gilbert know he is going to sign with a certain team and give him a short window to work out a sign and trade to get the Cavs a little something back in the deal and Lebron a slight bump in pay. The Cavs will likely decline because it will be a huge PR hit to do a sign & trade but if they do try they will have a couple of days to work with the team Lebron tells him he is going to. If they don't get it done quickly it wont happen.

LeBron holds all the cards here and isn't going to waste a bunch of effort on the logistics of a sign and trade.

Maybe breaking down Lebron's contract year by year with say the Heat vs Cavs would help....and maybe a link. I didn't think years 1 thru 5 were any different no matter where he signs.

With CLE it is maybe 2-5% more per year. Not much in the big picture.

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

 

[Sammy3469]

If this is true, this is some of the gayest stuff I've ever heard

Sources close to the situation said Monday night that three of the biggest names in basketball -- Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James -- met over the weekend in Miami to seriously discuss their futures, with a focus on the increasingly plausible possibility of those three teaming up with Wade's Heat.

Funny but a Jordan, Kobe, Bird, Magic, etc type would never do this.

I dunno, but maybe because FA was different back then. Bird and Magic were on stacked rosters anyway.

 

[Bobcat10]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

One could assume that, but it's not fact. The fact is, it's a massive chunk of change to leave on the table and it's part of the decision process.

 

[Walton Goggins]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

One could assume that, but it's not fact. The fact is, it's a massive chunk of change to leave on the table and it's part of the decision process.

People who say that makes me cringe as if that's pocket change and that they know the player personally. You always take the most money on the table now. There's no guarantees on getting another max deal down the road.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

One could assume that, but it's not fact. The fact is, it's a massive chunk of change to leave on the table and it's part of the decision process.

No it definitely isn't 100%. LeBron could blow out his knee and never see another contract. He could trip and blowout his knee as soon as he opts out of his current contract and never get another deal so maybe he shouldn't opt out this year. With all the other money that he makes, and with the very likely chance that he signs another max deal, I doubt he is too worried about the 6th year.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Yenrub]

Maximum $$$ from a contract means nothing when your being wooed by a Russian billionaire.

Two years from now they would have a serious shot. Playing in a crappy stadium now for a team who won 12 games and just canned their GM is not a very stable or enticing environment. Lebron doesn't have two years to just throw out the window, he already threw away 7 in Cleveland.Way too many ????? with the Nets.

The Nets will not be in the Meadowlands arena for the next 2 years The will be in the Prudential Center link which was opened in 2007

 

[oneohh]

This thread has really taken a bad turn.

It's borderline necessary for a knitting thread.

I'm glad I'm on record saying Wade is my favorite player so that I don't look like a huge bandwagoner when the heat have lebron and bosh with Riley back on the bench.

If MIA wins the FA title, I will be shocked if Riley doesn't come back to the bench. There's probably an implicit understanding of that during the courtship.

No way that weasel stays away from another all-star team. It's what he does. He was Jackson before Jackson was Jackson.

 

[simmonjm]

Rockets could offer something like this

Goggins, you could offer 10 first round picks and the Cavs would turn it down, Lebron is a once and a lifetime player besides once a team gets Lebron their draft picks are worthless. Cleveland performing a sign and trade for Lebron is the equivalent of a divorced husband who cheated on his ex asking her to co-sign on a car loan for his misstress saying look at the bright side this will help your credit score.

Stop. Please. The Cavs are not going to shoot themselves in the foot, ruining their franchise for many many years just to spit Lebron? The Rockets have the right to swap with Knicks in next years draft (unless Knicks pick overall) plus have the Knicks 2012 first round pick. The Knicks are terrible.

Again, the CAVS and TOR need to take the best offer or they can simply not take one meanwhile the player leaving will be on their books and they won't be able to acquire players as they could in a trade.

The Cavaliers have no interest in being a part of a sign-and-trade with LeBron James, according to ESPN's Ric Bucher.The report could mean that the Mavericks are out of the race to land James before he even hits the market.

Dallas is over the salary cap, which means a sign-and-trade is their only chance of acquiring the superstar.

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives.../#ixzz0sFYTyYYd

 

[Dexter Manley]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

It won't come close to making up the $$$ he's losing. You're forgetting that the NBA is redoing the CBA. From what I've read, most are predicting that the max contract numbers are going to be greatly diminished. This should be the last offseason for superstars to get these monster contracts. Due to this, I think there's no chance he signs a 3 deal to stay in Cleveland like some Cavs fans are dreaming.

 

[Tough As Nails]

The Cavaliers have no interest in being a part of a sign-and-trade with LeBron James, according to ESPN's Ric Bucher.

They have absolutely no choice but to say this right now. They have two pieces of leverage that no other team has. They can offer more money/years and they are the only team LeBron has ever played for (and the only state he's ever lived in). If LeBron is 100% going to leave...they will do an about face on that stance in a second.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

It won't come close to making up the $$$ he's losing. You're forgetting that the NBA is redoing the CBA. From what I've read, most are predicting that the max contract numbers are going to be greatly diminished. This should be the last offseason for superstars to get these monster contracts. Due to this, I think there's no chance he signs a 3 deal to stay in Cleveland like some Cavs fans are dreaming.

I guess we'll see. If he cares about the money, he'll be staying in CLE. Doubt that happens.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's. I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

 

[Dexter Manley]

PLUS an entire 6th year, correct?

Yes. But again, not a big deal for LeBron. LeBron will get another max deal as soon as his next contract expires to make up for missing the 6th year. For Joe Johnson, Boozer and Amare that 6th year is huge because they won't be getting another max deal.

It won't come close to making up the $$$ he's losing. You're forgetting that the NBA is redoing the CBA. From what I've read, most are predicting that the max contract numbers are going to be greatly diminished. This should be the last offseason for superstars to get these monster contracts. Due to this, I think there's no chance he signs a 3 deal to stay in Cleveland like some Cavs fans are dreaming.

I guess we'll see. If he cares about the money, he'll be staying in CLE. Doubt that happens.

I agree with you. I think he's gone. Right now, I think he's most concerned with how he can possibly avoid becoming the second coming of Art Modell in Cleveland.The Cavs know this, which is one of the main reasons why they won't do a S&T.

 

[Abraham]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's. I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

No one seems to be worried about Kobe's legacy having played with Shaq and Gasol. Bird and McHale worked well together. Pippen and Jordan don't have legacy problems.

 

[Hellfire Snail]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

I don't think it's ridiculous at all. One of the first arguments that used to be lobbed at Kobe for not being in the conversation as one of the greatest was that he rode Shaq. Wade is a mega-star. He already has a ring. If Lebron wins a ring with Wade, every argument about Lebron being among the best ever will start with, "He couldn't win a title without Wade..." And can you imagine if he didn't win it all out of the gates? His career averages dipping, the claims that he's not a winner like Jordan or Kobe getting louder? It seems like a no-win situation for him. If he gets a ring, it's because of Wade. If he doesn't win it all, the claims that he's not one of the greatest become deafening. That doesn't seem like an appealing situation.

 

[Abraham]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

I don't think it's ridiculous at all. One of the first arguments that used to be lobbed at Kobe for not being in the conversation as one of the greatest was that he rode Shaq. Wade is a mega-star. He already has a ring. If Lebron wins a ring with Wade, every argument about Lebron being among the best ever will start with, "He couldn't win a title without Wade..." And can you imagine if he didn't win it all out of the gates? His career averages dipping, the claims that he's not a winner like Jordan or Kobe getting louder? It seems like a no-win situation for him. If he gets a ring, it's because of Wade. If he doesn't win it all, the claims that he's not one of the greatest become deafening. That doesn't seem like an appealing situation.

Hakeem is the only player in the last 20 years to win a ring where fans couldn't say, "He couldn't win it without...."

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

LeBron is more Magic than Jordan. I think he and Wade (who is more Jordan-esque IMO) will play just fine together.

 

[Hang 10]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

I don't think it's ridiculous at all. One of the first arguments that used to be lobbed at Kobe for not being in the conversation as one of the greatest was that he rode Shaq. Wade is a mega-star. He already has a ring. If Lebron wins a ring with Wade, every argument about Lebron being among the best ever will start with, "He couldn't win a title without Wade..." And can you imagine if he didn't win it all out of the gates? His career averages dipping, the claims that he's not a winner like Jordan or Kobe getting louder? It seems like a no-win situation for him. If he gets a ring, it's because of Wade. If he doesn't win it all, the claims that he's not one of the greatest become deafening. That doesn't seem like an appealing situation.

Hakeem is the only player in the last 20 years to win a ring where fans couldn't say, "He couldn't win it without...."

Tim Duncan? Dwayne Wade?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

I don't think it's ridiculous at all. One of the first arguments that used to be lobbed at Kobe for not being in the conversation as one of the greatest was that he rode Shaq. Wade is a mega-star. He already has a ring. If Lebron wins a ring with Wade, every argument about Lebron being among the best ever will start with, "He couldn't win a title without Wade..." And can you imagine if he didn't win it all out of the gates? His career averages dipping, the claims that he's not a winner like Jordan or Kobe getting louder? It seems like a no-win situation for him. If he gets a ring, it's because of Wade. If he doesn't win it all, the claims that he's not one of the greatest become deafening. That doesn't seem like an appealing situation.

Hakeem is the only player in the last 20 years to win a ring where fans couldn't say, "He couldn't win it without...."

Hakeem couldn't win it without Jordan playing baseball.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Hakeem is the only player in the last 20 years to win a ring where fans couldn't say, "He couldn't win it without...."

VERNON MAXWELL!!!!

 

[Hellfire Snail]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

I don't think it's ridiculous at all. One of the first arguments that used to be lobbed at Kobe for not being in the conversation as one of the greatest was that he rode Shaq. Wade is a mega-star. He already has a ring. If Lebron wins a ring with Wade, every argument about Lebron being among the best ever will start with, "He couldn't win a title without Wade..." And can you imagine if he didn't win it all out of the gates? His career averages dipping, the claims that he's not a winner like Jordan or Kobe getting louder? It seems like a no-win situation for him. If he gets a ring, it's because of Wade. If he doesn't win it all, the claims that he's not one of the greatest become deafening. That doesn't seem like an appealing situation.

Hakeem is the only player in the last 20 years to win a ring where fans couldn't say, "He couldn't win it without...."

Not nearly to the same extent. People can say Kobe couldn't win it without Gasol, which is probably true. But Gasol is not a mega-star. He's a very good player, a necessary player, but when people look back, nobody is going to say the Lakers won because of him. Nobody is going to say the Bulls won because of Pippen. Nobody is going to say the Spurs won because of Parker or Ginobli. But people could, and would, say the Heat won because of Wade more than Lebron. The arguments are going to be who is better between them and it will mean Lebron will not be assured of his place among the best ever because of it.Edited to add: He will be considered one of the best ever--but not as a candidate for THEE best. The only way that can happen is if he wins titles with a Gasol, Pippen or Parker/Ginobli type--and Bosh fits that bill perfectly. Wade does not.

 

[oneohh]

Regarding LeBron to the Heat...

The biggest drawback would be a hit in his legacy. Wade is too big a star. It would be hard for LeBron to ever be considered the Greatest of All Time if his name is always mentioned with Wade's.

I get the idea that LeBron would care about this and wouldn't play for the Heat for this reason. But maybe I'm wrong.

I couldn't disagree more. If Kareem, who was a much better player than Wade will ever be, didn't hurt Magic's legacy, Wade isn't going to hurt LeBron's legacy. That's ridiculous.

No one seems to be worried about Kobe's legacy having played with Shaq and Gasol. Bird and McHale worked well together. Pippen and Jordan don't have legacy problems.

Those first 3 titles are much more Shaq's than Kobe’s (insofar as a comparison to Jordan is concerned).

 

[shake zula]

so we all agree Miami gets

Bosh/Wade/Lebron and Boozer for a mid level exception.