Could winning this series extend our window?

[JSD]

If Lebron leaves Cleveland it will be to a "cap handicapped" team. A squad that doesn't have an MLE or LLE to use for free agents until the following off-season. Therefore, it would be a roster consisting of 3 - 4 solid NBA players and a bunch of minimum salary guys. That team would be a year or two away from being a serious threat. That's why I agree with Roy's OP.

[Mr October]

If we win, it will extend our window but not because it means the dismantling of the Cavs.

Winning this series would extend our window because it will let the league know that the C's are still good. With only 6 players (I think) having contracts for next season with the C's we will need to sign some players at a discount to make a run next year. No player is going to play at a discount to come to Boston unless they think they can win a ring. If we win this series it might convince players around the league that we're a contender next year.

..especially with KG improving every month. Yeah, if the C's get past the Cavs there is no question in my mind that management will try to keep the core together for 1, possibly 2 more years.

In the very least, Pierce, KG and Rondo aren't going anywhere. I think Ray will want to stay. Perkins and his contract will be an interesting option to debate over.

All of this is independent of Lebron's fate.

[TitleMaster]

If the team makes it clear that the regular season doesn't matter to them, who is going to bother shelling out 60 bones a seat for a game?

Interesting theory, but it'll never happen.

If any one of our new players becomes a Walker, then it would be a fortuitous plan as that kid would essentially be getting sophomore minutes and be able to keep the Cs in the game.

[slamtheking]

It depends on what you're referring to by 'window'. 

If you mean the window of championship contention, I don't think it's really changed from the original forecast.  The core of the team, as currently constituted, had about a 3-4 year window of opportunity for a title.  That hasn't really changed.  4 years was considered an optimistic stretch and I think that's still the case.

If you're referring to the 'window' in regards to keeping the core together, which would make more sense based on the initial post, then I think this core is locked in for 2 more years.  I think that was determined when Danny kept Ray at the trading deadline instead of moving him for younger players or picks.  The non-core players will change, but the core will remain if for no other reason than Danny doesn't really have much of an option to replace them via FA or the trade route. 
Perk's the most movable asset but it's very unlikely the team will move him because it will be difficult to fill his spot with someone as good or better and that's a prime spot to keep filled when you have a young talented player slotted there. 

[the_Bird]

I'm wondering what kind of contract LeBron signs. He could sign a 6 or so year max contract, but I think he'll stay with his current strategy, signing a deal with an opt-out after a few years. He'll be better off if he goes with the longer deal. The gm of whichever team he signs with won't be able to build a good team around LeBron because he'll be forced to improve the team asap or James will opt out and move on.

Whatever happens with the CBA in 2011, it's not going to allow for top players to make MORE money.  Just like the last time there was a significant change, the dollars came down.  The owners are going to push hard for salaries to come down and that's going to have to mostly affect the guys at the top.  'Bron's better off pushing to lock in as much money as he possibly can this offseason.

[pearljammer10]

Yeah it could extend our window another playoff round.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm wondering what kind of contract LeBron signs. He could sign a 6 or so year max contract, but I think he'll stay with his current strategy, signing a deal with an opt-out after a few years. He'll be better off if he goes with the longer deal. The gm of whichever team he signs with won't be able to build a good team around LeBron because he'll be forced to improve the team asap or James will opt out and move on.

Whatever happens with the CBA in 2011, it's not going to allow for top players to make MORE money.  Just like the last time there was a significant change, the dollars came down.  The owners are going to push hard for salaries to come down and that's going to have to mostly affect the guys at the top.  'Bron's better off pushing to lock in as much money as he possibly can this offseason.

I think Tim's point was that a new CBA could lock Lebron into a bad situation, potentially by restricting player movement or making it hard for a team to improve.  The last thing Lebron wants to do is sign with a new team that is then handicapped in the future because there's a hard cap.

You're absolutely correct about the money, but I think flexibility / the ability to add talent in the future will be just as important to him, if not more so.

[nickagneta]

As could signing with a team with good to great established young talent that he could grow with.

NJ: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, and either John Wall, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors

If NJ gets the number one pick, I say that could have more of an effect on Lebron's decision to leave Cleveland than not winning the championship could. New Jersey could then use Devin Harris as trade bait to get a quality shooting guard and Lebron could go to war with a lineup of

C: Brook Lopez
PF: Udonis Haslem(signed as FA)
SF: LeBron James
SG: Courtney Lee
PG: John Wall

With the possibility of  Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, Mike Miller(also signed as free agent) and someone brought in with a trade of Devin Harris off the bench.

That team will make the playoffs easy.

[BballTim]

I'm wondering what kind of contract LeBron signs. He could sign a 6 or so year max contract, but I think he'll stay with his current strategy, signing a deal with an opt-out after a few years. He'll be better off if he goes with the longer deal. The gm of whichever team he signs with won't be able to build a good team around LeBron because he'll be forced to improve the team asap or James will opt out and move on.

Whatever happens with the CBA in 2011, it's not going to allow for top players to make MORE money.  Just like the last time there was a significant change, the dollars came down.  The owners are going to push hard for salaries to come down and that's going to have to mostly affect the guys at the top.  'Bron's better off pushing to lock in as much money as he possibly can this offseason.

I think Tim's point was that a new CBA could lock Lebron into a bad situation, potentially by restricting player movement or making it hard for a team to improve.  The last thing Lebron wants to do is sign with a new team that is then handicapped in the future because there's a hard cap.

You're absolutely correct about the money, but I think flexibility / the ability to add talent in the future will be just as important to him, if not more so.

  Actually, I wasn't thinking about Lebron's money. I was thinking more about how he's always appeared to use his upcoming free agency (even when it was a few years off) to hold a gun to his franchise's head. Basically, they either have to show that they're doing everything possible to put good players around him as quickly as possible or he'll leave at the first opportunity. Cleveland's made some questionable personnel moves to appease LeBron as opposed to showing patience and building a good core over a few years. If he signs a 6 or so year deal the gm will have time to build a title team around LeBron if he makes a few shrewd moves. If James has an opt-out after 2-3 years then the gm's handcuffed by that time frame.

[Evantime34]

As could signing with a team with good to great established young talent that he could grow with.

NJ: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, and either John Wall, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors

If NJ gets the number one pick, I say that could have more of an effect on Lebron's decision to leave Cleveland than not winning the championship could. New Jersey could then use Devin Harris as trade bait to get a quality shooting guard and Lebron could go to war with a lineup of

C: Brook Lopez
PF: Udonis Haslem(signed as FA)
SF: LeBron James
SG: Courtney Lee
PG: John Wall

With the possibility of  Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, Mike Miller(also signed as free agent) and someone brought in with a trade of Devin Harris off the bench.

That team will make the playoffs easy.

I think New Jersey might have to sign another player before LeBron is willing to come to them. Or at the very least he would come in with someone else at the same time. I was thinking more like this
C:  Lopez
PF: Boozer or Amare
SF: LeBron
SG: Lee
PG: Wall

That team is extremely good. I would prefer that James heads out west or at least isn't in our division.

[EJPLAYA]

The thing that will extend our window is a continually more healthy KG. It's pretty clear what solid production out of him brings. I think he will come back next year even better. PP will be similar, Ray will be similar, Perk will be similar, and Rondo hopefully even better. KG is the difference maker though, not winning this series.

[Who]

Interesting OP point but I can't say that I agree with the theory.  I think LeBron only goes to another team if he is sure that team has the ponies.  I foresee the most likely scenario of LeBron in NY with Amare coming along to.  NY will probably need to S&T Lee to Phoenix but LeBron and Amare won't need all that much more around them to be instant trouble for the aging C's.

I see the Cavs moving Hickson for Amare...or at lest trying their best to do so

I just can't see where this is even remotely a possibility any longer. Phoenix has Lopez and Frye at center so Big Z is not going there. I doubt they take on Jamison as part of a package for Amare and Cleveland doesn't have the draft choices Phoenix would be looking for. A 4 or 5 for one trade is also out of the question in my opinion.

I could New York with Curry on an expiring contract with Galinarri and Chandler being a possibility. I could see Miami with Beasley a sign and trade for Haslem and picks being a possibility. If Houston fails to land Bosh, I could lots of possibilities there. I could see Phoenix standing pat with Amare and/or extending him. All those look much, much more likely than an Amare in Cleveland scenario.

A package based around Antawn Jamison could be interesting. He would fit in nicely in their running game ... and it's not like Phoenix is looking to rebuild after re-signing Steve Nash.

I wouldn't say they are a certainty to do it but I definitely think that they strongly consider that type of offer.

Especially if the Cavs added JJ Hickson into the deal as well. A Jamison + Hickson package is very interesting.

[FallGuy]

As could signing with a team with good to great established young talent that he could grow with.

NJ: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, and either John Wall, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors

If NJ gets the number one pick, I say that could have more of an effect on Lebron's decision to leave Cleveland than not winning the championship could. New Jersey could then use Devin Harris as trade bait to get a quality shooting guard and Lebron could go to war with a lineup of

C: Brook Lopez
PF: Udonis Haslem(signed as FA)
SF: LeBron James
SG: Courtney Lee
PG: John Wall

With the possibility of  Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, Mike Miller(also signed as free agent) and someone brought in with a trade of Devin Harris off the bench.

That team will make the playoffs easy.

Why would Lebron go to New Jersey? He's in his prime. The Jersey team you posit would probably make the playoffs. But that's it. They're an early round out. Probably second.

Lebron's in his prime. These are supposed to be his championship-winning years. I can't see him going somewhere where that's not a possibility from year one.

[indeedproceed]

If Lebron leaves Cleveland it will be to a "cap handicapped" team. A squad that doesn't have an MLE or LLE to use for free agents until the following off-season. Therefore, it would be a roster consisting of 3 - 4 solid NBA players and a bunch of minimum salary guys. That team would be a year or two away from being a serious threat. That's why I agree with Roy's OP.

I think this has some validity...lets say hypothetically that Joe Johnson and LeBron go to the Knicks...they'll have 2 or 3 other starter caliber players and that'll be it.

They'll also sign 1 or 2 vets on a bargain lets get a ring deal, but that won't be enough IMO.

[nickagneta]

As could signing with a team with good to great established young talent that he could grow with.

NJ: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, and either John Wall, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors

If NJ gets the number one pick, I say that could have more of an effect on Lebron's decision to leave Cleveland than not winning the championship could. New Jersey could then use Devin Harris as trade bait to get a quality shooting guard and Lebron could go to war with a lineup of

C: Brook Lopez
PF: Udonis Haslem(signed as FA)
SF: LeBron James
SG: Courtney Lee
PG: John Wall

With the possibility of  Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, Mike Miller(also signed as free agent) and someone brought in with a trade of Devin Harris off the bench.

That team will make the playoffs easy.

Why would Lebron go to New Jersey? He's in his prime. The Jersey team you posit would probably make the playoffs. But that's it. They're an early round out. Probably second.

Lebron's in his prime. These are supposed to be his championship-winning years. I can't see him going somewhere where that's not a possibility from year one.

Derrick Rose is already being considered one of the top 5-10 PGs in the league and people in college ball and especially Kentucky say John Wall is a much better player.

Brook Lopez is almost already a 20/10 player and a very good defensive center and is going into just his third year. Within a year Lebron could be playing with a top 5-10 PG in the league and a top 5-10 center. Other than if he goes to Chicago, he doesn't stand a chance of having that happen anywhere else he goes.

If he goes to Miami or New York he will be playing with another top 10 player in the league and NO ONE ELSE. They won't have money but to add 5-8 minimum contract players. In NY they have no draft picks for years.

New jersey meanwhile will have a wealth of young talent to grow with and still have as much as $11-14 million to spend on free agents besides the players that are there who could easily be dealt for someone.

LeBron is 25 years old, if he has to wait until 27 to be around a perennial title winner, he will wait.