What happens to Cleveland if LeBron bolts?

[snively]

Without Bron, they are probably a 35-40 win team with 40 mil locked up in a "core" of Jamison, Williams, Varejao, Boobie Gibson and JJ Hickson until the summer of 2012.

That group stinks of a quick firesale to me.

[BballTim]

  I think Cleveland might literally sink into Lake Eerie.

[More Banners]

Without Bron, they are probably a 35-40 win team with 40 mil locked up in a "core" of Jamison, Williams, Varejao, Boobie Gibson and JJ Hickson until the summer of 2012.

That group stinks of a quick firesale to me.

I think you're right about the 40 wins.

But if he bolts, they still have enough talent to make a run at a playoff spot without adding anyone else.  Actually, they'll probably play much better TEAM ball.

If he bolts, they'll have cap space...probably won't sign anyone big-name, but will be able to add assets.  2nd tier guys like Rudy Gay and JJohnson are possibilities, or Travis Outlaw for slightly above the midlevel to stay under the cap.

So they'll be able to add talent while continuing to develop Hickson.  If they can add one more solid young piece like Outlaw or Gay, they might be a better team.  I think Lebron makes the players around him worse, and Shaq won't be there to get in the way.  Oh, and they'll have a new, and likely better, coach...

Actually [thinking of the movie A Beautiful Mind here] they might be better off courting someone else and let another GM beg Lebron to castrate him.  I suppose it's possible to get two very good wings for $16 million rather than one max guy?  A $10 million and a $6 million?  And those guys would be very pleased to be courted and sign on, while letting the coach be a coach and the GM do his job, too?

[PosImpos]

Did you see the Wizards at all last year?

That team would struggle to win more than 30 games.

Please don't kid yourself, LeBron makes the players around him much better.  It's so much easier for a crappy player to get good looks when the other team is so desperate to stop the most dominant player in the game.  LeBron is also by far the best passer of anybody close to his size in the NBA.

[openairmovie]

  I think Cleveland might literally sink into Lake Eerie.

good I hope it stays there for good!!! I hate that city almost as much as New York and LA.

[CelticsFan12345]

Perhaps a letting go of ray allen makes us a contender in the Lebron sweepstakes?!?!?!?!?! Hmmm??

[birdwatcher]

If the lose Elbron they'll probably be one of the first teams to over pay for a few 2nd nd 3rd tier FA. Turn into the Eastern Clippers...

[Cman]

Perhaps a letting go of ray allen makes us a contender in the Lebron sweepstakes?!?!?!?!?! Hmmm??

No.  We'll still have too much salary to make a run at any FA worth more than the MLE.

[celticinorlando]

the become no better than a D league team

[Cman]

the become no better than a D league team

exactly.  they will be terrible for years to come.
And Danny Ferry, wherever he is, will look like a genius for jumping ship in the nick of time.

[Redz]

Curl up into a collective fetal position and cry their way to Lottery-ville.

...oh, they'd probably reminisce about the "good ol' Lebron days" too, when in reality the Mark Price days were way much better.

[Overrated]

Cavs are in trouble. They have a few good pieces but not nearly enough to get 'em into the playoffs. We're looking at the next variation of the Clippers if they don't make some moves.

[housecall]

One things for certain the city of Cleveland(downtown)will take an huge economic hit.

[BballTim]

Did you see the Wizards at all last year?

That team would struggle to win more than 30 games.

Please don't kid yourself, LeBron makes the players around him much better.  It's so much easier for a crappy player to get good looks when the other team is so desperate to stop the most dominant player in the game.  LeBron is also by far the best passer of anybody close to his size in the NBA.

  Does Mo Williams look better in Cleveland than he used to? Does Jamison? I don't think so.

[hpantazo]

Perhaps a letting go of ray allen makes us a contender in the Lebron sweepstakes?!?!?!?!?! Hmmm??

No.  We'll still have too much salary to make a run at any FA worth more than the MLE.

now if Sheed retires and we let Pierce and Ray go, then we have the cap space to make a run at lebron.