What's going on in Cleveland?

[Roy H.]

Chauncey Billups just withdrew from the Cavs GM search.

Cleveland is reportedly looking to dump Shumpert's salary.

Lebron hasn't been actively recruiting free agents to Cleveland.

A lot of signs point to Lebron moving on, although frankly, I have a hard time seeing him join the Western Conference. He's basically guaranteed a spot in the Finals every year, and no EC team seems willing to challenge them.

[saltlover]

The repeater tax is nasty. Right now they're staring at being about $20 million over the tax line, with a tax bill of $65 million.  That'd push salaries + tax over $200 million, and Gilbert doesn't want to pay.  If Shumpert stays and opts in next year, they'd be over by about the same amount (and thus have the same bill), even with Frye and Jefferson coming off the books and filling out the roster with 6 minimum salary players.

Budget contstraints are doing in the Cavs, and moving Shumpert is relatively important to fixing that.  It'd save them nearly $40 million in tax bills each of the next two years.  He's not worth essentially $100 million (his salary plus his marginal tax cost).

[PAOBoston]

The end of the Cavs run. It's this year and that's it. LeBron is gone after the season.

[hwangjini_1]

The repeater tax is nasty. Right now they're staring at being about $20 million over the tax line, with a tax bill of $65 million.  That'd push salaries + tax over $200 million, and Gilbert doesn't want to pay.  If Shumpert stays and opts in next year, they'd be over by about the same amount (and thus have the same bill), even with Frye and Jefferson coming off the books and filling out the roster with 6 minimum salary players.

Budget contstraints are doing in the Cavs, and moving Shumpert is relatively important to fixing that.  It'd save them nearly $40 million in tax bills each of the next two years.  He's not worth essentially $100 million (his salary plus his marginal tax cost).

just would extend that sentence to read "Gilbert doesnt want to pay the tax for a team that cannot win it all next year."

i believe this is the beginning of the end for the cavs brief reign at the top of the east. lebron will probably jump ship, the team will cut payroll, or both by 2019. the door for the celtics may open then.

i wonder if ainge made this pitch to hayward or not?

[Phantom255x]

The repeater tax is nasty. Right now they're staring at being about $20 million over the tax line, with a tax bill of $65 million.  That'd push salaries + tax over $200 million, and Gilbert doesn't want to pay.  If Shumpert stays and opts in next year, they'd be over by about the same amount (and thus have the same bill), even with Frye and Jefferson coming off the books and filling out the roster with 6 minimum salary players.

Budget contstraints are doing in the Cavs, and moving Shumpert is relatively important to fixing that.  It'd save them nearly $40 million in tax bills each of the next two years.  He's not worth essentially $100 million (his salary plus his marginal tax cost).

just would extend that sentence to read "Gilbert doesnt want to pay the tax for a team that cannot win it all next year."

i believe this is the beginning of the end for the cavs brief reign at the top of the east. lebron will probably jump ship, the team will cut payroll, or both by 2019. the door for the celtics may open then.

i wonder if ainge made this pitch to hayward or not?

I think so. West got stacked. Lebron not guaranteed to stay in Cleveland.

And between MIA-BOS, BOS is the better team and could still keep adding. After MIA adds Hayward, they can't really make other upgrades unless they trade some of their current guys too (lateral moves).

[celticinorlando]

James is uber p---ed at Gilbert again. He knows he cannot win the title. Gilbert is reportedly tired of paying the lux taxes for a team that cannot beat GS.

Kyrie wants out because he knows LBJ is gone after this year and does not want to be stuck in a rebuild.

Rumor here in Ohio is is pretty much it for this team as constructed. The loss to GS took a huge chunk out of the organization and the players asses that they are demoralized. Everyone knows they cannot beat GS with the roster they have yet they cannot improve it.

Nobody..including the Cavs and their fans want Kevin Love. They also see that overpaying Thompson was a huge mistake. They are old and broke

[saltlover]

The repeater tax is nasty. Right now they're staring at being about $20 million over the tax line, with a tax bill of $65 million.  That'd push salaries + tax over $200 million, and Gilbert doesn't want to pay.  If Shumpert stays and opts in next year, they'd be over by about the same amount (and thus have the same bill), even with Frye and Jefferson coming off the books and filling out the roster with 6 minimum salary players.

Budget contstraints are doing in the Cavs, and moving Shumpert is relatively important to fixing that.  It'd save them nearly $40 million in tax bills each of the next two years.  He's not worth essentially $100 million (his salary plus his marginal tax cost).

just would extend that sentence to read "Gilbert doesnt want to pay the tax for a team that cannot win it all next year."

i believe this is the beginning of the end for the cavs brief reign at the top of the east. lebron will probably jump ship, the team will cut payroll, or both by 2019. the door for the celtics may open then.

i wonder if ainge made this pitch to hayward or not?

I think that Gilbert wouldn't pay $200 million if he was guaranteed a title.  Just too much for him.

I'd doubt that Ainge would make that pitch.  "Wait another year for the Cavs to implode" isn't an attractive pitch. I do expect ownership to sell that they'll pay the tax next year.

[coffee425]

Hot Take: LBJ soon to be on the trade block.

[Phantom255x]

Here's a thought, why not tell Hayward, "we can sign you, and then in 2018, go after Lebron in FA. We'll find a way" 

[colincb]

The repeater tax is nasty. Right now they're staring at being about $20 million over the tax line, with a tax bill of $65 million.  That'd push salaries + tax over $200 million, and Gilbert doesn't want to pay.  If Shumpert stays and opts in next year, they'd be over by about the same amount (and thus have the same bill), even with Frye and Jefferson coming off the books and filling out the roster with 6 minimum salary players.

Budget contstraints are doing in the Cavs, and moving Shumpert is relatively important to fixing that.  It'd save them nearly $40 million in tax bills each of the next two years.  He's not worth essentially $100 million (his salary plus his marginal tax cost).

That's the critical money angle and the repeater tax explains why they're nearing the end of the road since they really have no room to maneuver [Maybe the NYK are desperate enough to take back bad contracts to get Melo out of town to the Cavs, but iI suspect not.] Doesn't mean LBJ leaves home, but he could easily based on his past behavior.

Billups will get a shot eventually, but Gilbert's the last guy I'd want to work for [even less than Dolan]. Griffin was underpaid, Gilbert interferes far more than other owners, and the Cavs future is less than bright. Arriving in time to see James ride off into the sunset wouldn't be great timing.

[ETNCeltics]

The above puts it in perspective for people who think the luxury tax is no big deal.

[footey]

Here's a thought, why not tell Hayward, "we can sign you, and then in 2018, go after Lebron in FA. We'll find a way" 

Not completely unrealistic. Although I see him more likely returning to Miami.

If Lebron demands trade this season, what is Danny willing to give up? What would happen to IT?

[coffee425]

Here's a thought, why not tell Hayward, "we can sign you, and then in 2018, go after Lebron in FA. We'll find a way" 

Not completely unrealistic. Although I see him more likely returning to Miami.

If Lebron demands trade this season, what is Danny willing to give up? What would happen to IT?

EVERYONE. AND PICKS. GIVE ME 6 MONTHS OF LBJ AND I HAVE A CHANCE.

[Moranis]

I don't put much stock in James not recruiting anyone because the Cavs aren't going to sign anyone so what is the point.

As for Billups, Gilbert never pays GM's.  That is why Griffin isn't still there. Gilbert cheaped out.  Which brings us to Billups. Lots of credible reports here in Cleveland that Billups would have taken a pay cut to take the job which is why he withdrew from consideration.

[guava_wrench]

The Thompson deal was obviously going to backfire long term when signed. Such a limited player. Great at what he does, but who cares if one guy dominates the boards and the team loses?

I am also skeptical of Kyrie's going solo tendencies.