I cant blame him for leaving Cleveland. They never helped him, the best player he had was Mo Williams. And the one time he actually told the front office to get a star player (Amare), they turned around and handed him Antwan Jamison.... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4913305
Holy shit if the Magic get the number one pick ... http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/11127401/cleveland-cavaliers-torn-draft-first
Its dangerous because Exum, Wiggins, and Parker all have superstar potential. The Cavs have to approach this draft without Lebron in mind, go for the best player, and if Lebron joins cool, but if he doesnt, you might have the next top player anyway.
This is possible. Not much talk about that down here. More talk about people wondering if he will opt out and such. As for that deal, idk if that would happen. The question is would Dwayne Wade want to play another 4 seasons? The real question is, will Miami want Wade around that long on the books? Something tells me, no. He is currently 32 years old and is only getting worse. His knees are completely shot and i'm not sure he would last in the league another 2 years, let alone 4 years. Like stated earlier, Lebron's decision will all come back to rely on Wade. If Wade sticks to that contract, Lebron is gonna want more than him, thus putting Miami in a terrible position to build around them. If Wade opts out, Lebron is back in Miami, without a doubt. Problem is, Wade won't opt out. At least, I wouldn't if I were him. The only thing left would be either moving on from Lebron, or extending Wade. I would be amazed if they extended Wade under his current condition.
No, reports are saying that they would trade away Jordan and someone else. No way they give away Griffin when he could be starting with Lebron and Paul.
It's a definite possibility. I don't think there has been confirmation from Bosh or Wade if they are opting in or not. That really makes the Lebron news news or just Miami retooling. If Wade and Bosh opt in, I think Lebron is leaving Miami. I don't see why he would opt out at this point to then sign a long term deal in Miami without getting cap room to help Miami this coming season. If they opt out, Lebron probably stays and as you said Wade would probably get a longer contract but with a lower cap hit per year. If Lebron is smart, he waits until Wade and Bosh re-sign with Miami before signing, otherwise if Lebron signed first I wouldn't put it past Riley to lowball Wade and/or Bosh in FA instead of giving Wade a longer contract with the same money. If they all opt out and take less, Kyle Lowery, Channing Frye, and some other players would be available to them.... Melo too but I still think Melo is looking for a payday. If Lebron is getting sign and traded, which I think is least likely, please send him to the Clippers as a personal preference. Would love to see how Lebron/CP3 dynamic works out. Also, wonder what LAC sends to Miami. Miami would obviously want Blake, but they could take on DeAndre and what not and go for a full rebuild. Lebron in the West would be awesome to watch all those games. Granted the East becomes even more garbage, but oh well.
So basically Wade and Bosh control the future of Miami with their opt in/out options. I guess the idea of Lebron forcing management to make a decision would be slightly inaccurate, he's making Wade (mostly) and Bosh take the pressure and make a decision. If Wade opts in, the rest of the dominos could fall into Lebron not seeing Miami improving, trying to position himself as a real threat to leave Miami at a discount to another team who can just sign him. Miami believes this, they would help facilitate a trade elsewhere so Lebron gets paid and they get something in return before he leaves. Basically the whole scenario with Melo/Knicks is related to Lebron/Heat in a sense. Wade/Bosh are Amare/Bargs with their opt ins. The top player opted out and is demanding a change in plan. You want to get something if you really think your star is leaving. If you think they are bluffing, you hold strong and do not facilitate any sign and trades or sign and trade talks. Interesting dynamics where even though players cannot make what they would without max contracts or salary caps, they can still find a way to help themselves
I brought up the Wade situation with a longer contract. It would be backloaded, and with the salary cap increasing a 4 year 55 million dollar contract will not look bad in 2018
Oh my bad, I must haven issued it when reading. Yeah it's a creative idea. I had not really thought about that as a way for the Heat to help themselves out. I think it still would look bad in 2017/2018, but to keep Lebron James and championship team together in the East, it might be worth it to extend your window 3-5 years and pay the price later.
Teams might want Griffin, we will see. He's a solid player but if it means that Lebron would go there, then you do it. Also I dont agree with Windhorst, he was saying that going to Cleveland would be going to a weaker team. I dont know about that, does the Miami Heat currently have a player as good as Irving? No. And why cant a guy like Wiggins or Parker step right in and start competing at a high level? No ones expecting them to carry the team but look at this way: Lebron can carry the team now, and then in 5 seasons when Kyrie Irving is 27, Wiggins is 24 and Lebron is 34 they will be able to carry the load for him. Just look at Tim Duncan, if Lebron wants to compete for a titles for another decade, he has the opportunity to right here. In 10 years Wiggins/Parker will be 29 and in their prime.
Lebron and Melo team up on the Knicks? Who knows. Phil Jackson has his work cut out for him. That would be terrible considering what we traded for him in the first place. If Melo goes to the Bulls, Rose is coming here.
Nice! Spoken like a true Knick fan. I think I heard you on the FAN yesterday extolling the virtues of why every other NBA player is dying to come and resurrect this awesome and most desirable of franchises. Because of the immortality that awaits them. I'm surprised every major free agent over the past 25 years hasn't beaten down the Knick's door to come and play here. I mean if MOST players would die to play 41 games here. They must be cowards and scairty cats, not real men. LOL But you are right, fans around the rest of the NBA are jealous of the Knick's championship tradition and pedigree. Btw, in your fantasy world where money isn't an issue, are we also not taking into account friction, gravity, depreciation and amortization? _
Wiggins is extremely raw, he won't be an all star until year 3. And who no one knows how rookies will turn out. Otto Porter was considered a sure thing last year, but he was awful last year. Second most of the players on the Cavs haven't even sniffed playoff basketball. It will take at least two years for them to win title, because of inexperience. LeaBron is turning thirty this year, he cannot waste the finals two years of his prime if he is trying to buld a billion dollar empire and win rings .
Honestly if I'm the Cavs I take Parker, I think he is a little more well rounded and a better defender but I do think the upside with Wiggins is better.
It doesn't matter if they sniffed the playoffs yet, they have a better roster than the Heat do and have a player better than anyone on the Heat. Wiggins/Parker is a hard choice. I'll repeat though, I think Exum is the best player in the draft but I don't think Cleveland has the guts to take him.
God forbid if Lin steals Melo's shine again! More than likely Lin and Melo won't play together. I think the Rockets will want to pair Melo and Dwight with Lebron James. They will need to clear cap space by trading Lin / Osik.
