Prove me wrong

[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.
 

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?

Rose, Noah More than those 3
Wade  more than those 3

[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?

Rose, Noah More than those 3
Wade  more than those 3

Exactly.  It's not much to build around.

Gallinari + Chandler + Bosh would be a significantly better foundation.  So would Rose + Noah + Deng (or additional cap space)

If Lebron stays in Cleveland, he is severely handicapping his future, even if he somehow wins a championship there

[Moranis]

I think there are two ways the Cavs would sign and trade Lebron if he tells them he is gone.

1.  The Cavs get a legitimate star potential young player back.  Something like Lebron to Portland for Oden, Webster, Batum, and Fernandez (and filler if necessary).

2.  They Cavs get some decent young players and also unload bloated salaries like Jamison and Williams.  Something like Lebron and Jamison or Williams to Chicago for Deng and draft picks.

[Casperian]

Can anyone eplain to me why so many people think Bron would go to the Bulls? What exactly makes them a better destination than the Nets, Knicks or Clippers?

Is it because of the MJ legacy?
Because Wade comes from Chicago and would sign there, too?
Because Noah looks like Varejao´s little brother?

There are several teams with a young and talented nucleus, and I think it doesn´t make a difference wether someone wins 5 rings in Chicago or in Utah.

Correct me if I´m wrong, but isn´t theoretically every team able to sign LeBron? What if the Lakers decide to trade Bynum, Odom and Artest to teams under the cap? Could they sign him? And wouldn´t that be a much better destination for LeBron if he really only cares about winning and playing in a big media market?

[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.

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

I agree. This may be a better team, but not a championship one. There isn't enough defense at the 1 or the 2 to win. These guys are better defenders than the old men, but too small. Jamison is too small and plays no D. Mo is a streaky offensive guy but horrid defender. West is too small at the 2. Parker is a solid shooter but mediocre defender. They get broken down up top too easily. Lebron will realize this (like he hasn't already) and will leave. Hopefully to the West.

[Mr October]

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.

They are close... but I mostly was giving them credit based on their good defense and Lebron's hunger. However his hunger isn't enough to carry that team through the regular season and the playoffs. He was looking more and more gassed as the series went on.


Anyway, there is too much weight on Lebron's shoulders. The guy has to do everything. I really think he'll be tempted to play with another superstar. If that can't happen, and he has to go solo again, I think he'll return to Cleveland.

[LB3533]

Lebron has thought about leaving the Cavs, his decision to change his jersey number to 6 would pave the way for him to play in Chicago.

[Edgar]

Can anyone eplain to me why so many people think Bron would go to the Bulls? What exactly makes them a better destination than the Nets, Knicks or Clippers?

Is it because of the MJ legacy?
Because Wade comes from Chicago and would sign there, too?
Because Noah looks like Varejao´s little brother?

There are several teams with a young and talented nucleus, and I think it doesn´t make a difference wether someone wins 5 rings in Chicago or in Utah.

Correct me if I´m wrong, but isn´t theoretically every team able to sign LeBron? What if the Lakers decide to trade Bynum, Odom and Artest to teams under the cap? Could they sign him? And wouldn´t that be a much better destination for LeBron if he really only cares about winning and playing in a big media market?

bulls are just a choice
after hearing the russian guy
I will seriously consider NJ

[MMacOH]

I have a feeling there is going to be a big effort on the Cavs end to rework their roster whether Lebron re-signs or not. I don't think Mo or Delonte (Delonte especially due to his expiring) will be ob the team next year.  Hickson or AV may be moved to bring a big name player as well (if they can swing it)

[Roy Hobbs]

I have a feeling there is going to be a big effort on the Cavs end to rework their roster whether Lebron re-signs or not. I don't think Mo or Delonte (Delonte especially due to his expiring) will be ob the team next year.  Hickson or AV may be moved to bring a big name player as well (if they can swing it)

The problem is that the Cavs' options are severely limited, aren't they?  Delonte's partially guaranteed deal is a trade chip, but that's only $4.5 million.  How do you bridge the salary cap to bring in a star player?

Mo and AV might be options to be traded, since they're both talented guys, but they're also both on long-term, fairly expensive deals.  I'm not sure how much value they'll have in this economic climate.  Generally, if a team is willing to trade a star player, it's for non-guaranteed deals or elite young talent.  The Cavs don't have either right now.

A trade at the deadline could be more realistic, as the Cavs do have a handful of expiring contracts.  However, I wouldn't expect any big trades in the summer.

[BballTim]

I have a feeling there is going to be a big effort on the Cavs end to rework their roster whether Lebron re-signs or not. I don't think Mo or Delonte (Delonte especially due to his expiring) will be ob the team next year.  Hickson or AV may be moved to bring a big name player as well (if they can swing it)

  Be kind of ironic if the Cavs traded Hickson when they probably could have sent him to Phoenix for Amare.

[MMacOH]

I have a feeling there is going to be a big effort on the Cavs end to rework their roster whether Lebron re-signs or not. I don't think Mo or Delonte (Delonte especially due to his expiring) will be ob the team next year.  Hickson or AV may be moved to bring a big name player as well (if they can swing it)

  Be kind of ironic if the Cavs traded Hickson when they probably could have sent him to Phoenix for Amare.

He was offered to Phoenix for Amare.  Phoenix turned it down.  Amare was the only player the Cavs would have given up Hickson for.