LeBron James Says a Max Contract is Not a Priority

[Greenbean]

After yesterday's game LeBron hinted that he would settle for a less than max deal if it meant going to a winning situation. I have said before and I will say it again, LeBron will go to the best situation, not who can pay him the most. That being said I still dont think he will go to the Celts but dont rule out teams he could land just because that team doesn't have money for a max deal.

Could you imagine what a good offensive coach could do with Lebron? A coach like Doc? On an already established championship team. I'm drooling.

Unfortunately I think, like Chris Sheridan mentions in the article that he will end up in Miami with DWade, which is absolutely frightening.

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=sheridanlbj-091107
 

[Fafnir]

Him saying a max deal is not an absolute priority just means that he'll leave Cleveland if the situation doesn't look good at the end of the season.

He's still not coming to the Celtics, the most we could offer him is the MLE....

[jayk009]

Lebron James has always maintained that he will make the best business decision that he can.


Not signing a max contract is not exactly the best business decision, and even if money may not be a priority for him, he's talking about signing a contract for 18 million a year instead of 20 million a year, which is different then what you are implying. It's like Shaq saying he's sacrificing for the team by taking a "paycut" to 20 million a year from 22 million or something like that.

[Spilling Green Dye]

Him saying a max deal is not an absolute priority just means that he'll leave Cleveland if the situation doesn't look good at the end of the season.

He's still not coming to the Celtics, the most we could offer him is the MLE....

TP, exactly.  By making his statement, he is giving himself an out when he needs it.

[Fafnir]

Lebron James has always maintained that he will make the best business decision that he can.


Not signing a max contract is not exactly the best business decision, and even if money may not be a priority for him, he's talking about signing a contract for 18 million a year instead of 20 million a year, which is different then what you are implying. It's like Shaq saying he's sacrificing for the team by taking a "paycut" to 20 million a year from 22 million or something like that.

If he feels he can win a title sooner in another market then costing himself a couple million of salary could still be a good business move. LeBron playing in a big market would up the overall endorsment dollars by enough over the length of the deal to make it wash.

[the_Bird]

What's he going to say?  "I'm all about the Benjamins!"

[gustusias]

Just one thing here. If he goes to the Lakers I will puke. Like all the big time players they have stlen over the years, he will be just one more who opts for Hollywood over anything else. It wil really stink next year if he is in LA.

[timepiece33]

If he feels he can win a title sooner in another market then costing himself a couple million of salary could still be a good business move. LeBron playing in a big market would up the overall endorsment dollars by enough over the length of the deal to make it wash.

LeBron is a transcendent player where playing in a big market does not impact his overall endorsement dollars.  The ad guys go to him and would if he played in Oklahoma City. At most, you might be talking about a convenience factor with some of his other business ventures.

If you are looking to stay whole, Miami is interesting because of the lack of a state tax.

[Who]

LeBron is lying ... he's not accepting a contract beneath the max.

[GreenFaith1819]

Good Discussion about Lebron..

IMO if Lebron truely wanted to win a Championship right away he would sign with us next year.

Even if he went to Miami with Wade, they would still be lacking a few pieces to win it all. They would be tough no doubt, though.

Boston would be one year removed from winning this year (#18), and if he was aware of the prestige of playing with this organization that alone would draw most men here.

Plus he would be coming to a ready-made contender...and he, Rondo, and Perk would form a remarkable future.

Boston could eventually sign him to a max, but the man is already making millions from his shoe contract, right?

I'm believing that he will (and should) stay in CLE, though. That organization has bent over backwards to accomodate him.

But Lebron if you did leave: Consider Boston. Imagine the prestige of being named with the All-Time greats of this organization. Nothing else is better.

[Fafnir]

Good Discussion about Lebron..

IMO if Lebron truely wanted to win a Championship right away he would sign with us next year.

Even if he went to Miami with Wade, they would still be lacking a few pieces to win it all. They would be tough no doubt, though.

Boston would be one year removed from winning this year (#18), and if he was aware of the prestige of playing with this organization that alone would draw most men here.

Plus he would be coming to a ready-made contender...and he, Rondo, and Perk would form a remarkable future.

Boston could eventually sign him to a max, but the man is already making millions from his shoe contract, right?

I'm believing that he will (and should) stay in CLE, though. That organization has bent over backwards to accomodate him.

But Lebron if you did leave: Consider Boston. Imagine the prestige of being named with the All-Time greats of this organization. Nothing else is better.

That's not going to happen. LeBron isn't going to give away three years of earning 18 million a year to sign with Boston for the MLE.

[New england Celtic]

There's no way LeBron is going to end up in Boston.  I don't see him signing with LA either.  I'll definitely give the Heat a chance with Wade...but then you have to think of how much money they'll have to give to Wade ans LBJ.  My bet goes with Cleveland, secondly New York..but only if they sign another solid player.

Possible for New York?--
Duhon
LBJ
RUDY GAY???
Gallinari
Lee

Give or take a few more players...I don't know, it could happen

[Fafnir]

There's no way LeBron is going to end up in Boston.  I don't see him signing with LA either.  I'll definitely give the Heat a chance with Wade...but then you have to think of how much money they'll have to give to Wade ans LBJ.  My bet goes with Cleveland, secondly New York..but only if they sign another solid player.

Possible for New York?--
Duhon
LBJ
RUDY GAY???
Gallinari
Lee

Give or take a few more players...I don't know, it could happen

Rudy Gay and LeBron play the same position. I don't see that combo happening.

[New england Celtic]

LeBron can play any position really. Just a thought

[Rondo_is_better]

Its not a priority for him because he's guaranteed to get one.