Prove me wrong

[jdpapa3]

I think this sign and trade business is really going to heat up this summer. It makes Dallas and Houston(and probably some others) look like players in the race. Wouldn't you say that Dallas and Houston are comparable basketball situations to Chicago?

We might see some chicken here by the players and the teams. -Lebron goes to management and says he will sign elsewhere.
-Cavs say "ok we really like what Houston has to offer, but not a fan of Chicago's deal. we'd only do a s&t with houston."
-Cavs still hold a good amount of cards.

Or maybe they say they refuse to do a s&t and only way Lebron can get that 6th year is with them. I wouldn't agree with this move by them. Maybe it'd be worth the risk if he were 27 and would be 32 after the contract, but he will be 29 after 5 years and able to lock in another max deal. I think he's gone and they need to get draft picks and/or young talent. They will be bad either way when he leaves, but draft picks and talent increase their chances of bouncing back.

Others are already sick of the FA talk, but I think it's interesting...for now.

[Bankshot]

1.  I don't think Lebron cares that much about money, compared to the chance to enhance his legacy with championships.  There are other, better options for that in other cities;

2.  Lebron will probably get a 6 year deal in a sign-and-trade anyway, because if Lebron makes it clear that he's leaving, Cleveland isn't going to be stupid / stubborn.  They'll take the compensation.

3.  Yes, Lebron cares about image, but that image will be quickly repaired by championships.  Do people really look down upon Shaq for leaving Orlando for LA?  I don't think so.

Yes he does care about money.  He stated (out of his mouth, not someone else's) that he wants to be a billionaire, the richest athlete in the world.  He said nothing about championships.  Of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't want to win, but he definitely cares about money.

[wiley]

Just remembered the Noah James standoff during the playoffs, or was it before the playoffs, when Noah took James to task as he was about to shoot a free throw...criticized him for dancing or something along those lines.......

I normally wouldn't put much stock in such a thing, players can make up once they're teammates....but it came out of the blue and was over a non-basketball matter (more of a personality clash)....wonder if Lebron remembers or cares as he makes his decision....Anyway, I don't see why Chicago would be such an attraction compared to Nets or L.A. Clippers.

Sorry I can't jump into the thread's main argument....no idea...

[Who]

The Cavaliers will be willing to sign and trade LeBron James.

[Roy Hobbs]

1.  I don't think Lebron cares that much about money, compared to the chance to enhance his legacy with championships.  There are other, better options for that in other cities;

2.  Lebron will probably get a 6 year deal in a sign-and-trade anyway, because if Lebron makes it clear that he's leaving, Cleveland isn't going to be stupid / stubborn.  They'll take the compensation.

3.  Yes, Lebron cares about image, but that image will be quickly repaired by championships.  Do people really look down upon Shaq for leaving Orlando for LA?  I don't think so.

Yes he does care about money.  He stated (out of his mouth, not someone else's) that he wants to be a billionaire, the richest athlete in the world.  He said nothing about championships.  Of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't want to win, but he definitely cares about money.

What would help him achieve his goal of being a billionaire more though, an extra $20 million or so in salary, or multiple championships and playing in a major media market?

[Jon Niednagel]

Well, if LBJ wants championships, he should request a S&T to the Celtics. The Cavs could get Paul Pierce's enormous expiring contract for LBJ and rid themselves of an additional unwanted contract. The Cavs would get a star and great financial flexibility in one transaction! Sorry, I couldn't resist myself.

[Lucky17]

If you can rationally respond to this and prove me wrong then please do (I always love to debate).  

Lebron is staying with the Cavs.  

Everyone knows the new CBA that will be put into effect is going to lower salaries (most likely significantly) going forward.  Lebron is in position to take a max contract for 6 years that would pay him 30 million more than any other team could.  He will take a max year contract (as compared to the 3 year he usually does) because of the lower salary the new CBA will most likely provide.  He is going to sign the contract the Cavs can offer due to financial benefit it will provide.

I still contend that the opportunities for making money beyond his NBA salary will be greater if he signs with a New York-based team. Enough to recoup the difference a 6th year comprises? Quite possibly.

What Cavs fans have to hope for is that LeBron values loyalty more than money.

Also, Lebron is extremely concerned about his image.  Leaving the Cavs after his weak effort in the playoffs will ruin his reputation.  It will make him look like he quit on his team and his home town.  It would add justification to the rumors that he made up his elbow injury to facilitate his move from the Cavs.  This would really tarnish his reputation and marketability which is not what Lebron is about.

People were pointing at plenty of other scapegoats: Mike Brown, Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams, even Danny Ferry. And Elbowgate, to me, did serve as a convenient, built-in excuse for a sub-par performance for LeBron: "He carried the team with one arm behind his back."

I don't think he'd be branded forever as a turncoat, not nationwide, and especially not if he were to win a title somewhere else.

Finally, to anyone who thinks the Cavs are going to sign and trade Lebron, that just isn't going to happen.  The Cavs will not give him the best of both worlds.  If Lebron wants to leave he is going to have to leave money on the table and turn his back on the team.  The Cavs organization will not aid his departure in any way through a sign and trade.

I do see your logic here, MMac. I don't think Gilbert wants to go down in history as the owner who traded LeBron. There's no way to get fair value for him anyways.

For all of this, I do see a good chance of LeBron returning. With the exception of Shaq and Z, the supporting cast of a team that won 60+ game is on contract and will return. The front office has some expiring contracts to play with, and a new coach could infuse the roster with a new mindset and personality.

[Fafnir]

If the team trading for Lebron is giving up a very good player, then I don't see why Lebron agrees to a sign and trade. Wouldn't he want his future team to be as good as possible? I know he may get a little more money with a S+T, but championships mean a WHOLE lot more to this guy and one player can make a difference.

Well, if they can get rid of Deng's salary, Chicago could potentially sign another free agent (Bosh, Johnson, etc.), which would improve them even more.

They'll offer Deng to Cleveland if Bosh/Wade/etc is ammenable to coming with LeBron.

I don't know if Cleveland will take it, or if one of the other stars will play ball though.

[35Lewis]

One thing that is irritating with the Lebron issue is the talk about Cleveland not being a contender as a reason to leave.  The fact that they aren't a contender and don't have  young nucleus is because of their fear of Lebron leaving and the subsequent trades that were made to immediately improve the team rather than build a young dynasty. 

Take OKC for instance, this team is built for longevity with gradual increases instead of a potential title every 4 years if ever.  Part of the blame rests with the initial title won by D Wade because it fueled Lebron to want to win a title sooner. 

Lebron has tied managements hands for years with his non-commital to the city and team and now all anyone can talk about is how they don't have the right core of players to contend and therefore James should leave.

[MMacOH]

I am surprised how many of you think the Cavs are so far from a championship.  You can't blame the team that their coach refused to opitimize their matchups in the Boston series.

The Cavs are still a top 5 team in the league.

[Roy Hobbs]

I am surprised how many of you think the Cavs are so far from a championship.  You can't blame the team that their coach refused to opitimize their matchups in the Boston series.

The Cavs are still a top 5 team in the league.
 

Sure they are, but they're old and getting older.  There are a lot of better situations out there for Lebron, if maximizing his title chances are his #1 priority.

[Edgar]

I am surprised how many of you think the Cavs are so far from a championship.  You can't blame the team that their coach refused to opitimize their matchups in the Boston series.

The Cavs are still a top 5 team in the league.

Only because LeBron and that takes us back to the start

An even older and demotivated and unmovile shaq and Z
a varejao out of tricks
a standard playahhhh
a nonsalted Jamison
a streaky Mo
theyre not contenders to tittle
but to playoffs and deep series everyother year


dont get me wrong this is probably bostons last year too
unless Rondo , perk shines and the pick turns to be a Ginobili.

[EJPLAYA]

I am surprised how many of you think the Cavs are so far from a championship.  You can't blame the team that their coach refused to opitimize their matchups in the Boston series.

The Cavs are still a top 5 team in the league.
 

Sure they are, but they're old and getting older.  There are a lot of better situations out there for Lebron, if maximizing his title chances are his #1 priority.

I would argue that if you got rid of Shaq and Big Z they would actually be a better team. Inserting Varaejo and Hickson in place of those two eliminates the age issue, and IMO makes them better. At least in the East. They may not have the size though to match up against the Lakers.

[Roy Hobbs]

I am surprised how many of you think the Cavs are so far from a championship.  You can't blame the team that their coach refused to opitimize their matchups in the Boston series.

The Cavs are still a top 5 team in the league.
 

Sure they are, but they're old and getting older.  There are a lot of better situations out there for Lebron, if maximizing his title chances are his #1 priority.

I would argue that if you got rid of Shaq and Big Z they would actually be a better team. Inserting Varaejo and Hickson in place of those two eliminates the age issue, and IMO makes them better. At least in the East. They may not have the size though to match up against the Lakers.

Even so, is a core of Williams, Varejao, and Hickson the absolute best Lebron can do?

[35Lewis]

A legitimate contender has to be a team that can win and go to the playoffs but may be one player short of competing for the title.

Take the Ray Allen trade for example.  By itself that made the Boston team a playoff contender and probably a 50 win team.  The trade for Garnett put us over the top in terms of being a legitimate title contender.

The same point can be made for the Lakers with the addition of Gasol.  They were a good team without Pau but would only be playoff contenders.

Plug a different two guard or small forward into Lebrons spot and that team would be awful.

I think refusing to do a sign and trade would cost Ferry his job.