LeBron Free Agency Part II (Rumors, Speculation, Spin, Discussion)

[czvo]

Everyone (ok, mostly ESPN) seems to think that LeBron's waiting means he's going to leave, but I find this scenario more likely:

LeBron has decided he's signing with Cleveland. Since he can't actually sign until the 8th anyway, he's using the next three days to try and convince Bosh to accept a S&T here. He knows he has all the leverage here because Bosh will get more money in a S&T. If Bosh were to go to Miami, that wouldn't happen. He also wants another star. He only gets that with Wade or James. If Wade goes to Chicago, the Bulls really don't have anything the Raps want. Ditto for Miami.

In the end, Bosh going to Cleveland is the best deal for all parties involved. James gets his superstar sidekick, Bosh gets his money and his star, and the Raps get the best deal out there (sorry Houston, Bosh, as I recall, as openly stated that he doesn't want to go there).

The more I think about it, the more a LeBron-Bosh pairing in Cleveland makes sense. Someone just has to get Bosh to realize that:

1. He's not making up the $30 million he'd be losing in Miami or Chicago, and

2. Market size is irrelevant. Was it the market size of LA that made people realize how good Pau Gasol was (those that didn't watch him Memphis)? No, it was playing on a good team next to a great player. The Cavs, despite Cleveland being a smallish market, are still on national TV more than just about everyone. They will be a good team next year. That will help more than the market he chooses.

Besides, when he's retired at 35-36, whenever, then he can go live in Miami for the rest of his life.

 

[Triumph36]

Lakers had a questionable bench, and the Pistons 04 team didn't have a bench at all.

Yeah, a bench is needed. In fact a good overall team is needed. We see it all the time, it's not just about the stars.

Time, and time again the Fisher's, Horry's, Kerr's, etc, are known to have big impacts on their teams going on to win a title.

Cavs got the role players, they just need that one sick kick to go along with LB to make them an instant championship caliber team.

These other teams were terrible for a reason. Lebron can't forget that.

Questionable? They had Odom and...Odom, lol. Their bench was practically non-existent.

A bench is needed, but they are fairly easy to construct, especially in a location like MIA/CHI/NJ and when the starting lineup is unbelievably strong. They'd have lots of options for the MLE year after year, plus the draft, plus the BAE every other year, plus vet min ring chasers (T-Mac for example). So they wouldn't win immediately...but it wouldn't take long either.

I agree about this team though. Unfortunately, the role players are the easy part.....the second star is the hard part. That's one area where other teams have an advantage...they did the hard part already.

Of course that all changes if we get Bosh via S&T which will hopefully happen.

 

[godfather]

Wherever he goes, these teams will still need 2, 3, or even 4 pieces to add along with Lebron in order to win a championship. You put LB, and say Bosh in Chicago, they are not an NBA championship team. They are definitely a 55+ team, but they still lack depth off the bench, and floor spacing. They were among the bottom of the pack in outside shooting. You got to have floor spacing with Lebron James.

I still think Rose/Bron is a disaster combination. I guarantee if they played together, the Bulls would be looking to shop Rose come Feb. Rose can't play off the ball, it's not in his style at all. You'd be pissing away his full potential and ability as a basketball player. He'd turn into a gloried Larry Hughes.

Cleveland just needs one piece. That's it.

 

[godfather]

Questionable? They had Odom and...Odom, lol. Their bench was practically non-existent.

A bench is needed, but they are fairly easy to construct, especially in a location like MIA/CHI/NJ and when the starting lineup is unbelievably strong. They'd have lots of options for the MLE year after year, plus the draft, plus the BAE every other year, plus vet min ring chasers (T-Mac for example). So they wouldn't win immediately...but it wouldn't take long either.

I agree about this team though. Unfortunately, the role players are the easy part.....the second star is the hard part. That's one area where other teams have an advantage...they did the hard part already.

Of course that all changes if we get Bosh via S&T which will hopefully happen.

Odom was one player. One player doesn't make your bench deep. They lacked depth all year off the bench. Farmar, Sasha, and Brown are okay. Nothing special.

 

[cfrontz]

Depth is overrated. Its the starting 5 (or 2, or 3) that win championships. Of all teams we should know that.

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

Depth is overrated. Its the starting 5 (or 2, or 3) that win championships. Of all teams we should know that.

I agree. It is nice to have during the regular season, but look at LA.

They won with 2 great players, 1 good player (Odom), 1 great defender (Ron), and after that it was a banged up Bynum, an old Derek Fisher, and a bunch of below average bench players.

 

[The_L_Train]

I don't want to sound pessimistic but I'm not even entertaining the idea that we will nab Bosh. Just don't see it happening. I've lived in this area for too long I guess...

I think he'll either sign with Miami or get a S&T deal to Houston personally.

I don't think LBJ will leave.

 

[godfather]

Depth is overrated. Its the starting 5 (or 2, or 3) that win championships. Of all teams we should know that.

You need a strong 7-8 man rotation that have fit roles to win a title. Not just 2 or 3 guys.

Lakers and Celtics all had players that brought different flavors to the mix.

Cavs had too many guys that brought the same thing.

 

[Smooth]

Source: Bulls, Heat 'In the Game' for Chris Bosh
7/04/2010 2:36 PM ET By Sam Amick

The Toronto Raptors are growing tired of playing the Chris Bosh waiting game, but that doesn't mean they won't cooperate in the sign-and-trade deal he covets.

So long as he and his two pals -- LeBron James and Dwyane Wade -- make up their minds relatively soon.

A source close to the situation told FanHouse the Raptors are becoming "less enthusiastic" about doing the deal that would give Bosh the sixth year and additional $29.4 million on his maximum contract, but they certainly haven't stopped working toward that end. The Raptors, who have fielded calls from "half the league," the source says, currently have six sign-and-trade proposals ready to be executed. Offers from Miami and Chicago, according to the source, are being more heavily considered than the rest.

"(Miami and Chicago) are more in the game," the source said.

The lay of that land offers insight into Bosh's thinking, as Toronto must be aware of his ever-changing intentions before they are able to proceed. The Bulls have the assets to get the deal done, but Miami, which has only Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers on contract for next season, would have to offer an enticing package of draft picks to go along with the compulsory hefty trade exception for the Raptors to agree.

Yet in order to pull off the free agency coup of bringing Bosh, James and Wade to South Beach, the Raptors would have to be willing to take back the expiring $4.9 million contract of Michael Beasley in order for all three to get their desired maximum deals. If only Bosh, James and Wade would make up their minds.

"(The Raptors) are hanging on what those three decide to do," the source said. "This thing is a spectacle."

Yet according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst, James' decision -- otherwise known as the first domino -- won't come until July 7. Free agents can't formally sign until July 8. And with every day, the chances of Bosh securing the most money possible are minimized.​

 

[pl4tinum]

So basically, if we don't get Bosh, Toronto's GM is an idiot. Correct?

 

[El Martillo]

It was a "showtime" highlight reel, but that emotional Cavs "please stay home Lebron" video included some great moments when we were actually running and taking advantage of our athleticism.

Two guys featured in many of LBJ's transition slams in the video were Moon and Hickson, who Brown hardly played in playoffs.

Also, was interesting to see Andy featured in that video a good deal...maybe he's not on the block for S/T after all.

 

[Positive]

Nevermind, I didn't read the entire article.

 

[ronfel49]

Re: LeBron Free Agency (Rumors, Spin, Discussion)

Windhorst reported that LBJ may not announce a decision until after the Nike/Akron 3-day basketball camp is over on Wednesday. Some have read into that in both ways. The longer that LBJ waits, the less time he will have to recruit other free agents, of course. Still hope that Bosh can be convinced to come Cleveland but nothing solid.

Pretty quiet overall.

Lebron could be recruiting other players without announcing his decision publicly. He may be waiting to make his announcement in concert with someone else.

 

[Hydroponic3385]

Would Toronto want Deng and his horrible contract? No way, unless they're completely idiotic. The Bulls would need to give up Noah, at least 1 of Gibson/Johnson, and cover the rest with a trade exception. If the Bulls don't offer Noah, I don't see how the hell Toronto would be SO interested in a combo of Deng/Gibson/Johnson/trade exception.

Same with Miami. Beasley/Chalmers/trade exception is NOT that impressive, and Varejao/Hickson/West (non-guaranteed contract that Toronto can either save money on, or use as practically a trade exception before August) would be at least AS competitive an offer. And that's me being as non-homerish as possible saying we'd have "as competitive", considering we'd offer a guy who was 2nd team all NBA in defense last year and a 21-year old PF who has potential to be a pretty good starter (while Miami is offering a #2 pick bust who already has substance abuse/psychological question marks, and a mediocre young point guard).

I don't get it....aside from Chicago offering and Toronto loving an offer based around Noah (who knows if that's what Chicago is offering, and who knows if Toronto woud love Noah more than Varejao/Hickson), I don't see Toronto loving any offer from Chicago or Miami. And if Chicago or Miami does win out in a sign & trade for Bosh, those teams would be left with star free agents and NOTHING else on the team with pretty much NO cap space aside from minimum contracts. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Either Bosh signs with Chicago or Miami (and loses out on money/6th year), signs and trades to a Texas team (if Bosh is ok with one of the Texas teams, that team offers a nice package, and Toronto respects that teams offer), or Bosh is signed and traded to Cleveland (where there would already be a star player, assets to make a trade happen, and still have some depth left over).

 

[Bison11]

The way I see this whole thing playing out is that LeBron obviously re-signs and Chris Bosh takes a hard look, and a good sales pitch from LeBron, and decides to take the money and come to C-town. He will have better luck building a brand by winning rings than in a big market. I just dont think Bosh is a strong headed as LeBron and Bosh will be persuaded to go elsewhere.