"James' exit from Cleveland is inevitable"

[Douglar]

The cap will be closer to $65 million...max first year will be 30% of cap approximately 19 million.

1) Salary cap might not keep going up of the economy slows. Infact, it could even go down next year if basket ball related income drops.

2) Max salary is determined using a different salary cap figure. It uses the old 48.04% BRI cap, not the 49.5% BRI Cap used since 2005 for team salaries. You've got to shave about 3.1% off the max salary.

 

[Hydroponic3385]

That'd be complete BS if the salary cap goes down next year. Totally screws teams over who have signed guys to bigger contracts longer term. If owners have the money, they should be able to spend it (not saying there should be no cap, but I don't see the reason for having to lower it).

 

[Hydroponic3385]

Ha. Well, the guy's kinda close, but it's a load of crap. Yeah, some teams'll have space, but 80% aren't even close to being considered threats to lure Lebron there.

What's the rough estimate for the cap, $60 million? And Lebron's up for, what, $20 mil/year starting roughly? So a team would need have at MOST $40 million in guaranteed salaries for 2010/11. Let's see, assuming no big moves and expected re-signings & options....

Atlanta - $25 million (Assuming resiging/options on Horford, Williams & Acie Law)
Chicago - maybe $23 million (and only if they ditch Tyrus & Sefalosha and their cap holds, & don't keep Ben Gordon)
Cleveland - $40 million (not counting Lebron & other cap holds we might have), plus we can offer an extra year others can't
Houston - $22 million (not counting McGrady's cap hold, assuming resigning Scola)
LA Clippers - $22 million
Miami - $22 million (factoring in D.Wade's cap hold)
Minnesota - $38 million
Nets - $20 million
OKC - $40 million
Phoenix - $20 million
Sacramento - $39 million
Toronto - $26 million

** The Pistons could have space, but only if they don't resign Hamilton & don't option Stuckey - no chance
** The Knicks are only a possibility if they can dump MASSIVE salaries. I mean MASSIVE.

So who's even a whiff of a threat there? Miami if they get good again, Clippers maybe... the pretty LA lights? I still honestly see the Knicks as a long shot.

And this is all based on my estimates. Half those teams could drop off that list if they give bigger contracts than expected to their young players.

It's so much less cut and dry than all these national media types think. There are honestly very few options for Lebron that will make as much sense as Cleveland if we continue to contend for titles every year.

With the Nets not moving to BK by 2010, and the Knicks having blown this decade, I'd say the only possible threat to the Cavs would be Miami. Nice weather, D-Wade, and what should be a pretty nice team. Having said that, we're far and away the favorites and have no reason to think Lebron is even close to leaving.

 

[theSTEREO.]

1) Salary cap might not keep going up of the economy slows. Infact, it could even go down next year if basket ball related income drops.

2) Max salary is determined using a different salary cap figure. It uses the old 48.04% BRI cap, not the 49.5% BRI Cap used since 2005 for team salaries. You've got to shave about 3.1% off the max salary.

Same thought. The cap should be lower (around $60 was my guess due to the economy factors you cited.)

Otherwise, yes Lee, it'd probably be closer to $65 mil.

 

[KU_216]

That quote made me chuckle a little, makes me wonder what executive will be using slang like this. Maybe we should try and narrow it down.....

Exactly. For some reason, I don't think NBA execs use slang like "cat".

 

[Lee]

Same thought. The cap should be lower (around $60 was my guess due to the economy factors you cited.)

Otherwise, yes Lee, it'd probably be closer to $65 mil.

I think the cap will be more than 60 mill a bit less than 65....typically in times of economic strain, sports and the entertainment industry as a whole becomes even more important. The ecomomy will not slow down the enormous profits of the top sports leagues.

 

[oldenpolynice]

Ya know it sounds like a Western Conference GM or PBA is trying to get his hands in the LeBron Lotto. Probably one of the L.A. teams.

Mo is a pretty young PG in his good years with five years left on his contract...that was just a solid move.

Yeah, the Mo signing is not so much a "win now" move as it is just a solid move overall. The Cavs needed offense and Mo can bring that. He's what, 26?

The Wallace thing though? Yeah, that was definitely a "win now" move.

 

[theSTEREO.]

Yeah, the Mo signing is not so much a "win now" move as it is just a solid move overall. The Cavs needed offense and Mo can bring that. He's what, 26?

The Wallace thing though? Yeah, that was definitely a "win now" move.

I'm guessing you're being sarcastic. I know for a fact that the author of that article is a dummy for saying that. Ben Wallace is a "win now" move? No way. How? Ben Wallace is a cap management move, and an effort to appease Bron by adding players that work, expanding flexibility, and removing players that don't work... not a move to win in spite of his 'impending departure'.

Think about it Newsday Guy. Do you really think Cleveland is in win now mode with their moves? If so, there's no WAY they'd give a crap about 2010 cap space. They'd pack in talent no matter what the long term implications on their payroll, praying for an immediate championship.

Rather, the Cavs are clearly making it extremely versatile to continue building around LeBron, both now, and in his free agent summer. That's a long-term plan that includes LBJ, not a short term plan to get a title once and call it quits.

 

[LBJHeath]

Well, there are a few different things to consider when you start projecting Lebron's plans for his future.

One thing that is first, and foremost (even before rings and iconoclastic stature):
His children!

Sure, LebRon wants championships and to cement his legacy as a legend of the game (He has half of that already... and he isn't yet 24 years old), but his children will come before his lust for rings and an iconic standing in the sports-world. Even if LeBron was willing to ignore that portion of his life (he isn't), he'd have pressure from his mother, the press (BIG TIME)and his mother, and others that helped raise him. Could LeBron ever be on the same level as Tiger or Jordan if there was an internal problem that included his children? Not a chance! What happens when his kids are in the bronx and are exposed to the gangs and other things there?
Yeah, we have that in Cleveland, but not nearly on the level of an L.A., Miami, NY, or Chicago!

Take into account the fact that his mother doesn't like New York. Nor does his girlfriend. Doesn't anyone think that those little "voices" in his ear may play a role? An unhappy mother, forced to live in New York... or a Star Basketball player who no-longer gets to take his kids to his games? Hmmmm.

Take into account that he has built a 50,000+ SQ ft. house in Akron. Are we to believe that this is for "later?" Why the Cavaliers' logo on his personal basketball court? Yes, it could be changed... but why do it in the first place? His son will be in school when his contract comes up... is he going to rip his son away from there, and all of his friends? From the only place he has ever known as home? Remember - The children's mother... is she going to take this well? Is LeBron's mother going to?

Yes, there are arguments for everyone of these things that I have brought-up, but there is one thing that I have not-yet said, that has no argument:

"When LeBron was at the Obama-Rally, a fan explicity said: "Don't go to New York; stay here and win."

LeBron's response: "Don't worry, I'm not going ANYWHERE! "

And yes, he could go back on that statement. But don't you think that the media would blitz him on that? Whether or not you were at the rally, and whether or not you heard LeBron say this is irrelevent... "Some" people did. That is enough. When it is combined with his other statements, where he has "led Cavalier fans to believe" that he would be staying, that will be enough to make an ugly mark on his otherwise flawless record. In Cleveland he will have lost his "Glodliness". Remember "Kosar" and how he was a "God" here in Cleveland? Remember after he left? Nobody even remembered him. Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome,etc,etc,etc. None were on LeBron's talent level (Ramirez was closest), but it doesn't matter. There will be a "New" hero in Cleveland, and LeBron will not hold sway in his hometown any longer. If he leaves and wins a championship for another team... we may be happy for "him" but, the most he'll get from anyone is an "atta-boy", he will not get a parade, no keys to the monetown, no billboards outside his house.... his very BIG house.

Consider what he has to lose by leaving. Not what he has to gain. Think about this as if it were you. Your future wife; your son; your mother; your friends.... everyone you have ever known. Would you want to risk a true, pure iconoclastic staure, plus the adoration of the fans and media around the world... to make on city happy? One that is not yours? One, that when his career is over will forget him? Ask Patrick Ewing. He walks around in NY all the time. No body-guards...no Limos...no stature.

LeBron can only reach his goal in Cleveland. His task has been set. He either does it in Cleveland, or he will never gain his goal of being the #1 player of all time.

Even if you want to ignore everything I said here, it does not change the fact that Cleveland is the only place where he can truly make history. Everything else, and anywhere else... and it's just another sports-figure, and another championship in a long line of championships.

I just don't see it as possible, him leaving. He has too much to lose. Yet, I think it "IS" in his best interests to let the rumors continue....nothing like free publicity.

 

[PIP]

Cleveland-

Eric Wedge would tell you: "No reason to get your daubers down"

 

[Hydroponic3385]

The Wallace thing though? Yeah, that was definitely a "win now" move.

The Wallace thing was a "Get Larry Hughes the F*** out of here" move. :chuckles:

 

[theSTEREO.]

I read the rest of that Newsday article. It's unbelievable. It all but says Lebron is so pissed to be here that it's a shock he hasn't forced a trade.

If what this guy is claiming is true (which it's not), Lebron HATES playing here. If that isn't the absolute opposite of what he says and does, I don't know what is. He'd be the biggest liar in the history of sports, way beyond just niceties to his current team.

The article says Lebron openly flirts with playing in NY and can't wait to jump ship.

It's insane.

 

[BigErieCavsFan]

There is another article out today trying to tie the Jay-Z, Obama rally to LeBron leaving. I won't start a new post about it though...

Cavs are on the clock before LeBron sweepstakes

By Brian Fitzsimmons
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

LeBron James and Jay-Z are scheduled to lead a rally for supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday, hours after the Cleveland Cavaliers open the 2008-09 season on the road against the Boston Celtics.

You can almost hear Cleveland fans collectively mutter, “Great, they’re already teaming up.”

Such is the uncomfortable feeling you get when a part-owner of an NBA team is kicking it with the heart and soul of your franchise - James, a member of the free agent class in 2010, when the superstar can opt out of his contract.

Hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter apparently is best friends with James and plans on being one of many voices tempting the All-Star to bolt Cleveland and join a world filled with money, more money and - possibly - many victories with the New Jersey or Brooklyn Nets.

Stuck in the small market of Cleveland, James has quite a decision to make - eventually. And the decision will become harder thanks to the New York Knicks, who will attempt to lure the superstar to Broadway and everything else that comes with it.

As such, the clock is ticking for the Cavaliers.

This could be the most crucial season in solidifying their spot in the sweepstakes for the hometown hero. They need to show James they can win a title and prove hoisting a trophy is more fun than selling out for more money or press.

What happens if they bow out prematurely for the fourth straight year? Will James make up his mind?

After getting eliminated in back-to-back postseasons by the eventual champions, coach Mike Brown should be able to sell his players on the idea they can be among the elite, especially after pushing the Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.

With the offseason acquisition of point guard Mo Williams - the man Cleveland’s braintrust is banking on to become Robin to LeBron’s Batman - this team is turning to yet another warm body to serve as a wingman for James.

Williams, who possesses a track record of success, brings a certain energy to the floor that former running mates Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes and current center Zydrunas Ilgauskas have not been able to generate.

A five-year veteran, the 25-year-old Williams averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists last season with the Milwaukee Bucks. If he could help Charlie Villanueva and Michael Redd flourish, can you imagine what he can do with the best player in the game?

But again, Williams’ desire to win and serve as a sidekick might be the key to the Cavaliers fending off whispers of James wanting to leave at the first available opportunity. Perhaps Williams is the measure of support James has been coveting.

Gooden never took that step; Hughes was the furthest thing from a player wanting to do so. And now Ilgauskas, it seems, is too brittle to even walk up and down the floor.

The scars so many inept role players left on James and the franchise planted the seed of fear that No. 23 could bolt for a bigger market or a team willing to spend enough money to make him happy. And yes, that includes the nameless Nets.

New Jersey president Rod Thorn and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe rid themselves of lengthy contracts and dead weight - except for Vince Carter - in order to have mountains of cash awaiting them in the near future.

Jay-Z has voiced his interest in bringing James to the Nets, and LeBron has stated he wants to become a billionaire. Yes, Cleveland also may have to fans and file a tampering case with the NBA.

Between now and the dreaded summer of 2010, this fascinating storyline will grow stronger with every loss by the Cavaliers.

Maybe Obama can give them some campaign tips.

 

[Thunder]

"And the decision will become harder thanks to the New York Knicks, who will attempt to lure the superstar to Broadway and everything else that comes with it."

The Knicks are probably one of the teams furthest away from luring LeBron James, not only do they have massive contracts running through the summer of 2010 but the players with those contracts are unattractive to most teams such as out of shape and defensive liability Eddy Curry and semi- out of shape and defensive liability Zach Randolph. What teams are going to trade for those guys and the contracts that come with them? No one, unless they were desperate or believed they could change the players.

"After getting eliminated in back-to-back postseasons by the eventual champions"

What a dumb remark, OBVIOUSLY we got eliminated by the eventual champs in 2007, we were in the finals....

 

[KingSimba]

ya lets see

CLEVELAND offers a shot a championship and its his home town with all his friends. Not to mention he will get alot of money when re-signed

NEW YORK................um................i got nothing..........more like they got nothing

NEW JERSEY (Brooklyn) NETS..........a little more money............leaving his family............... years of failure

WHAT WOULD YOU PICK?