[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

NBA Execs Believe LeBron Stays in 2010?
Posted: 8/11/2009 5:55:00 AM
Source: Sam Smith of Bulls.com

The way the Great Free Agent Class of 2010 is shaping up, (Dwyane) Wade is looking like the biggest prize.

That’s because the belief is LeBron James is most likely to return to the Cavs while Wade had a remarkable season is taking a weak Heat team to the fifth seed in the East. The Heat’s roster, by most accounts, didn’t match Toronto’s, where Chris Bosh’s team didn’t come close to making the playoffs.

The consensus among NBA executives is James will remain in Cleveland, mostly because there may not be anywhere better to go. The big threat was the Knicks. But the declining salary cap likely won’t allow the Knicks enough salary cap space to sign two free agents. The Knicks roster is awful, and it likely would be a major step back competitively for James to join a team like that. With Kobe Bryant back with a championship, it is now James—before it was Bryant when James made the Finals in 2007—who is most likely to be anxious to be with a team that has the best chance to win a championship.

The belief is the Cavs will be a better option, and, of course, can provide him the biggest contract.

[jordanrose13Participant]

I prefer the main part of that story, suggesting that Wade is planning on coming to the Bulls if the Heat don’t change their ways. He even bought a house on the Chicago riverfront

[QHaynes20]

I see Lebron coming to the Knicks.

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

yeah most knick fans want to see that no matter what anyone says. Kinda like beer goggles. Though it could happen its more and more not likely

[QHaynes20]

If the Knicks move Curry’s contract the Knicks would have big money to sign 2 star players. Why stay in Cleveland with that roster? Take James off the roster and the Cavs dont look that good as a roster…

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

I wouldn’t get tooooo excited about Wade buying a place in Chi-town… Brett Favre bought/looked to buy a place in MN, and I don’t see him in a Vikings uniform…

It’s a buyer’s market right now (meaning prices are low) so it’s a good time for him to secure a good deal in a place that he’ll inevitably be spending a lot of time, even after his bball career is over.

[jordanrose13Participant]

I know that the chances aren’t very good right now, but its like the Knicks fans, they see everything as a sign LeBron is going to New York. i see everything as a sign of DWade comin to Chicago

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Q, never underestimate the value of chemistry and trust with your teammates… I will give you that the Cavs don’t have a very good roster (and it’s especially weak for the future considering Z and Shaq are relative grandpas) but Delonte, Jamario, and Mo are all solid rotation players (and as good as anyone he’d play with in NY)… JJ Hickson has showed promise and Varejao is also a solid rotation guy, and the fact remains, we still don’t even know if Lee or Robinson will be there, and Sessions isn’t a done deal either.

All that, plus the Cavs can offer him the most money, and he’s from Akron and his dream has always been to bring glory to his hometown/state… and, won’t the Cavs also be under the cap and able to sign a star, just like the Knicks? I believe so… at least according to hoopshype… theyd be at about 32 mill (without LBJs player option)

[MagikKnickParticipant]

Wade & Rose backcourt would be amazing…

But I dont see it happening, Wades my favorite player and as much as i’d LOVE for him to go to NYK, I just see him staying in Miami

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Wade-Rose would be a devasting combo… the other team’s bigs would foul out of every single game.

[QHaynes20]

No, the Cavs used most thier cap space for 2009 by giving AJ 5-50mill. They wont have alot of cap space in 2010 if any. Lebron can get a big contract in Cleveland but in NY, Lebron can get more off the court money. He might be able to get a least 4-6 more endorsments in NY,

I understand chemistry but….did he not walk off the court leaving his teammates there? He will not sign that 3 year extension because he wants Cleveland to add players….with no good players to give up.

I see Lebron…no winning a title and coming to NY

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

checks hoopshype my man… right now they’re at 48 mill (including AJ, who i’m assuming is anderson varejao) and that number also includes LBJs player option of 17 mill, which he obviously won’t be exercising if he’s a FA, so that brings them to about 31 mill, but then I added 1 mill for Powe….

[McWinningParticipant]

i really think Lebron will stay with Clevaland he was raised there and i just dont see him leaving. however if Beasley is still incisistant and the Heat struggle i couls see him leaving (maybe the Knicks).

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

most of these stars will remain where thay are. amare is the only one that will have a chance of leaving and he may be given an ext. im sorry but lbj is cleveland, he is the man down there. wade is in love with miami. i dont see them leaving. and it does not matter whether lebron wins a ring.

[QHaynes20]

Theyre not at 48 mil….try 78 mil man and the cap is around 50 mil….they are over

http://www.hoopsdaily.com/content/state-cap-cleveland-cavaliers

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

hahahaah that’s for the 2009-2010 season, which includes LBJ’s salary, Shaq’s salary, and Z’s salary… which are like ~47 mill altogether…. AFTER the 2009-2010 season, those will all be gone

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

78-47 = you guessed it! 31 mill! just like I said… i’m an accountant, adding numbers is what i do! lol

[QHaynes20]

OK, 31 mil off of 48-45 mil (projected cap in 2010) then you give LBJ a max deal….where the space?

[gatorheelsParticipant]

The Cavs & Knicks are pretty much in the same position financially. It just depends on what core LeBron wants to play with….who would u choose?
You also have to factor in LeBron wanting to stay home. Then again New York brings a bigger stage & bigger market.

Mo Williams, West, Gibson, Moon, Parker, Varejao…..LeBron….

Chandler, Douglas, Gallinari, Jefferies, Hill, Curry…..LeBron…

Who knows the Knicks may also have Sessions &or DLee &or Nate

Both teams will have about the same amount of cash to spend on other free agents after they sign LeBron.

[McWinningParticipant]

you have to factor in Lebron has played in Ohio his whole life. Cleveland looks A lot better than New York on that comparison but if Lee and Robinson resign i might give the edge to them.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Q, if i’m not mistaken, can’t they resign LBJ AFTER they’ve signed FAs? even if it puts them over the cap?

I donno, I could be wrong in that respect, but I think I’m right. The only way that wouldn’t work is if they have to take his Bird rights BEFORE July 1… So I’m not 100% sure and could definitely be wrong…

Don’t forget about JJ Hickson, Gator

[QHaynes20]

he did play on Ohio his whole life but if he does not win a title this year…i see him leaving

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

This is a great source on the CBA and the salary cap… Q, check number 19, it explains Larry Bird rights… as far as I can tell, those rights do not expire before July 1

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q19

[QHaynes20]

why would i sign with cleveland if i dont know if lbj will be there?

[McWinningParticipant]

why would i sign with New York if i dont know that Lebron will be there?

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

lol, you just can not admit to being wrong.

NBA players are allowed to talk to each other about where they’re going to sign (see: elton brand and baron davis last summer) If Chris Bosh and LBJ talk, then I’m sure they could get something worked out

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

In all seriousness though, to anyone who wants to be an expert on the salary cap, and really know their stuff, check out that website… if you search NBA salary cap FAQs, it’s the first result in google. Knowing the salary cap and all its intricacies is valuable in the NBA, although, knowing the NEW CBA will be even MORE valuable

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

his h.s. friends/teammates who are now his entourage, how do you think they feel about ohio.

[QHaynes20]

Because…what am i wrong about?

Yea, how did EB and Davis worked out? LBJ said to Ariza that he was gonna stay if he comes, Ariza did not believe him. I would need to see LBJ sign before I sign. Also,Cleveland is not a sexy city to attract players (D-wade said it on TV!)

People do come to NY, Lebron or Not. Stoudemire wants to come here, many other players want to come here.

Also, i proved you wrong on that cap…

[gatorheelsParticipant]

You have to factor in this as well….Cleveland has their core locked in under contracts for the next 3-4 years. Meanwhile New York has two important contracts expiring in 2011- Jefferies & Curry….that is roughly $17 million off the books….Looking towards the future I think New York is a much better place for LeBron. It has already been proven that he isn’t going to win with Mo, West, Gibson & Varejao. Knicks have talented young pieces.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

like I said, you were not correct about the cap. You were in fact wrong MULTIPLE times… The cavs, if they are at 32 million, can sign a FA and still sign LBJ using his Bird rights, even if that puts them over the cap. (you were also wrong about them being at 78 mill, but that was just a ludicrous attempt)

And, I know EB and Davis didn’t work out that well, but if LBJ talks to the guy and wants to be on his team… that might mean something now that the whole EB-Davis situation didn’t work out. IDK, it could work out. I’m not saying its impossible for LBJ to be in NY, because he could also talk with a guy about signing together in NY, I just can’t see LBJ passing up more money in Cleveland, his hometown team, his boys on the Cavs team…

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

i think there is more in cleveland besides the team. when i say lbj wont leave cleveland, it is not because of the money he is gonna make, and trust me he is gonna get paid, and one can have a debate that lasts forever on what roster is the best. but i look at what lbj has done in cleveland and what the fans have done for hima nd i say he must have the heart of a serial killer to leave. i mean it is a business but i cant see him leaving. btw theyre at like 7 mil for next season. keep in mind the cap next year will be as low as 53 million and 31 is how much theyre losing not how much under cap theyll be.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

32 million is what their cap figure will be… they’ll be losing a lot more than that. Shaq, LBJ, and Z will come off the book next year.

[McWinningParticipant]

would Jordan have cared about the money that much? this is his chance to prove himself as a winner and New York is in rebuilding mode hes not gonna want to wait years to win he wants it now!

[quincey hodges]

Steve Kyler:

The idea that LeBron is going to walk away from what could be $30 to $35 million is almost insane, with the cap going down in a radical way, the odds LeBron walks is so slim its not even worth talking about… leaving Cleveland with more power today than last year… They can pay him far more than anyone else because they can extend him off the final year of his deal, which is far greater than what 30% of a $50 million salary cap would be.

Your still open to the threat, but the threat got a lot less realistic with a cap number at or below $50 million… keep in mind LeBron has one more year at his option worth $17.5 million, if the salary cap comes in at $50 million as some project, he’s looking at a first year walk away deal at $15 million, thats before you factor the allowable increases Cleveland can and would offer.

Like Chris Bosh – they both could walk away, but if they leave its likely through a sign and trade giving their existing team a lot more control than anyone expected 16 months ago.

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

theyll be at 24 forgot to add lbj. plus they own his b rights and this is his 7th season. hes gonna get paid.

[dwat4444Participant]

nobody’s signing two major fa’s next year. Bosh, Wade, and Lebron both want over 20 million so to have 2 of them would mean givign atleast 40 out of 51 million in space away. That leaves 11 mil for 9 players. haha not gonna happen. Lbj stays in cleveland.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Thanks Quincey

[gatorheelsParticipant]

With or without LeBron the Knicks are on the rise. They have money to spend in 2010 & 2011.

birdzilla- LeBron may have to wait a year in New York but he is going to have to wait his whole career in Cleveland. What are you talking about? ha

[QHaynes20]

badger…you act like i said they wont be able to get him back. I was reading somewhere where the Cavs used much for there cap space when they added players this year,

[quincey hodges]

you know whats funny..i remeber this same debate about garnett back when he was with minny and duncan back when he was with san antonio. Also the ability to win a title in newyork is no greater then in clevland..ya’ll say ( or qhaynes says) the roster in clevland has shown they cant win, well the coach in new york showed he cant when a title win he was with the suns because of his style of play so if people think that way then that evens the who will win a title thing out. also it has been shown that clevland can in fact get there and all they need is another player to help lebron to increase the chance of them winning. you also have to factor in team chemistry. Its alot harder to get used to 13 new players instead of 2 or 3. lookingat all the factors the arrows are pointing toward him staying alot more then him leaving (chemistry,money,hometown).he doesnt need to go to newyork to get bigger or more endoresments, do we forget who we are talking about? He can play in alaska and still make over ridunkulous money. Yes he could decide to go to new york but in reality the chances of that happening are alot lower then him staying.

[QHaynes20]

On Monday, we looked at the star-studded free-agent class of 2010, and there’s more good news for fans eager to see some moves next summer: Nearly a third of the league will have enough salary-cap space to make a run at one or more free agents.

Given current projections, nine teams — the New jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings — could have significant money under the salary cap to spend in 2009.

Now for the bad news: Teams won’t be nearly as far under the cap as they had hoped.

Last summer, NBA GMs were projecting a cap of $62 million to $64 million in the summer of 2010. But when the league reported the cap numbers for next season on June 30, the league memo mentioned that the NBA is now projecting a 5-10 percent decrease in the cap for the summer of 2010.

A 5 percent decrease makes for a $53.6 million cap next year (down $4 million from last season’s $57.7 million cap). A 10 percent worst-case scenario? Teams will be playing with a cap below $50 million.

That means teams such as the Knicks that were projecting a $64 million cap will likely have $10 million to $14 million less to work with than they thought they would just 12 months ago.

Ouch.

So how much will each team have to spend? It’s an inexact science a year away, but here’s what our research came up with. For the purposes of this projection, we’re going with a $53.6 million cap.

New jersey Nets

New jersey has one of the best opportunities to land a big-time free agent. The Nets are likely to be somewhere between $25 million and $27 million under the cap, depending on where they draft and the number of cap holds they have on their roster next summer.

New York Knicks

The Knicks aren’t too far behind New Jersey. They could have $24 million in cap space next summer, though there are a few caveats for Knicks fans.

First, that number is with only six players under contract and six minimum cap holds. Second, it doesn’t factor in David Lee or Nate Robinson. If they sign for more than a one-year deal, the number goes down significantly. GM Donnie Walsh will try hard this summer to trade Jared Jeffries and/or Eddy Curry for an expiring contract to clear more cap space, but in this economic climate, it won’t be easy.

Miami Heat

The Heat are also poised to have some serious cap room next year. If Dwyane Wade opts out, they technically won’t have one guaranteed contract on their books. More realistically, though, they’ll pick up options on Michael Beasley, Daequan Cook and Mario Chalmers and keep Wade’s cap hold — putting them at between $20 million and $22 million under the cap next season. (This number comes with an assumption that they waive a few guys, including James Jones.)

Those are the three teams with the big bucks. But a few other teams can get $10 million or more under the cap as well:

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves should be between $16 million and $18 million under the cap next season, depending on whether they pick up their option on Ryan Gomes. New GM David Kahn should be poised to spend the money. But the real question is, will any top NBA free agent choose the Wolves over big-market teams like the Knicks, Nets, Bulls and Heat?

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls can get between $13 million and $15 million under the cap if they decide to dump Tyrus Thomas, who will be a restricted free agent. If they extend Thomas or sign him as a free agent (or just keep his cap hold on the books, for that matter), they’ll have significantly less.

The other factor for the Bulls will be what John Salmons does. Salmons has an early-termination option in his contract. If he terminates his contract and the Bulls don’t re-sign him, they would clear an extra $6 million in cap room and could get as much as $20 million under the cap.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder will also be in good shape.

GM Sam Presti has been spending his money carefully and should have $14 million to $15 million in room next summer.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets, assuming they don’t re-sign Tracy McGrady, can get $12 million to $14 million under if they don’t pick up team options on Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes. However, they have a couple of significant restricted free agents — Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry — whom they probably want to keep. If they keep both, they’ll have much less cap room. All of this assumes that the injured Yao Ming won’t terminate his max contract in 2010.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers could get around $10 million or $11 million under next season, and if they could find a way to clear a little more cap room, I actually think they could be a serious free-agent player. With a young nucleus of Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and Al Thornton, along with a veteran point guard like Baron Davis, they could be pretty attractive to a top-level free agent who wants to play in L.A. If they found a home for Chris Kaman, that would give them another $10 million in room. I know it’s the Clippers, folks, but they have a better young team to build around than the Knicks or Nets do.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings should be somewhere between $9 million and $10 million under the cap. But given their financial woes of late, they might not be as willing to spend it as would some other teams.

A few other teams could have big money if one of their top free agents leaves next summer.

The Cavs could be between $19 million and $20 million under the cap if LeBron James left. The Suns could be between $7 million and $8 million under if Amare Stoudemire bolted. And the Raptors could clear between $6 million and $7 million under if Chris Bosh changed uniforms.

[quincey hodges]

new york is no closer to a title ..actually they are alot further from a title then clevland and almost every other team.

[McWinningParticipant]

Clevaland had an underrated offseason they got a proven champion in Shaq, and two solid players in Moon, and Parker. i think all they have done this offseason is become better and they have more experiance they could sneak in a title ahead of the favorites Laers, Spurs, Magic, and Celtics.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

“I was reading somewhere where the Cavs used much for there cap space when they added players this year,”

sorry that whoever you were reading didn’t know what he/she was talking about…

Shaq’s contract expires this year, and Jamario only ties up ~3 mill next year, Andy Varejao ties up about 7 mill next year… maybe they were referring to this year?

[QHaynes20]

read that chard ford post….

[McWinningParticipant]

that doesnt mean Lebron will come, if he cares about money he will, but i dont think all he cares about is money.

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

FOR THE LAST TIME LBJ IS STAYING IN CLEVELAND AND THAT IS THAT!

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Thanks for posting that Q, appreciate that.. and see? the Cavs could have 19-20 mill… and THEN sign LBJ… but again, that’s based off my assumption that Bird Rights don’t expire before July 1… If Bird rights expire BEFORE July 1 (or the time when FAs can sign) than you’re right. As far as I can tell though, Bird rights do NOT expire before July 1

[QHaynes20]

we will see…I think NY has a chance at LBJ…we will see.

[McWinningParticipant]

their only chance i think is if Lebron waits to resign and they can snag a free agent cheaply like Carlos Boozer.

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

but when you turn on espnews or go to espn.com and see in bold, underlined letters lebron is staying in cleveland, be the first one to admit that you were wrong.

[QHaynes20]

uh..no. I said he has a chance to go to NY in my opinion. I see him going to NY and if he does not, i would say” Sorry Guys!” no, i will move on.

And if LBJ goes to NY….u say your wrong.

[McWinningParticipant]

ok i will.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

This is entertaining..

[McWinningParticipant]

sorry you have to pay 5$! thats the cost for this show.

[quincey hodges]

dont be too hard on qhaynes because for one hes a knick fan( i think) and 2 hes saying there is a chance which there is. i think a dark hoarse, maybe not for lebron, but for another star is miami..they will have cap room even after signing wade and they dont have alot of bad contracts plus they have be easy as well as jermaine oneal (if hes healthy he is pretty a nice load) and i think theres a good chance they get boozer next year…so dont sleep on them..a even darker hoarse is new jersey. they have a nice young core a future all star in lopez and a all star in devin harris( ya’ll say what you want but he can give you 30 and 10-15 assist on any given night hes verrrrrrry underrated with fans on here)

[McWinningParticipant]

i think Miami might throw a lot of money at Beasley though and Chalmers will need to be resigned too.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

I agree Devin Harris is WAY underrated on this site… Someone was trying to tell me that Nate Robinson. Sorry, but I just don’t think that’s accurate.

I think of those three teams (Cleve, NY, NJ) Brook Lopez is the only legit Big for the 10-11 season, and you’re not going to win a championship without a legit big… David Lee is a legit rebounder, but he’s not exactly an interior presence on defense. Cleveland has Shaq for next season, but anything beyond that is pretty uncertain.

So you’ve got Brook and Devin, plus the Jay-Z factor… and that gives NJ a slim chance along with NY… MIA also has a slim chance… Still all signs point to Cleveland.

What if LeBron wins a championship in Cleve… Shaq and Z retire, and then, feeling like he’s brought a title to his home state, but that he’s lost his big men, he leaves?! that’d be great, IMO.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

If Lebron wins a championship in 2010 hes not leaving…even if his whole team retires..

How would that look…?

Week 1: Win championship
Week 2: Celebrate Parade
Week 3: Shaq & Z retire
Week 4: Sign with the Knicks?

[ckowalskiParticipant]

James has said he wants to bring a championship to Cleveland. If they win a championship this year I think he is gone, probably to NY or NJ or possibly the Clippers. It’s not all about salary. He can make ridiculous money in endorsements in a bigger market and attract higher profile FAs. James could play for 5 million in New York and make 40 million in endorsements. There is no reason for him to want a max deal. He could easily double the amount of money he would get from a max deal just from endorsement money. He should take less money and let his GM build the best possible team around him. It makes no sense for him to want max money to play in NY. Nobody needs 60 million to live on for one year. He is going to get paid anyways. If he goes to a bigger market he can make more money total. Cleveland is his home but if he just stays there because of that and they can never win a championship all his fans will just be pissed at him. He just needs to make a basketball decision and leave his hometown feelings out of it.

[McWinningParticipant]

if hes a true baller hell want a repeat. when youve just won a title you shouldnt be thinking time to leave when your the new hero and you have saved the sports world in Cleveland and leave i can garuntee youll be bood every time you come there.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

James Posey did it twice and Ariza just did it. They were probably thinking more like time to get paid. I realize none of them have the star status LeBron does. If he brings a championship to Cleveland he will have done what he has promised, you can’t be pissed at him for wanted to expand.

[Lemons4LifeParticipant]

Im too lazy to look at all the comments, but i did see that magikknick is a Wade fan. Surprising.

[Lemons4LifeParticipant]

Im too lazy to look at all the comments, but i did see that magikknick is a Wade fan. Surprising.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

?

[McWinningParticipant]

theill want him to repeat no sports fan is satisfied with one title. and i would be if he left for a ad team just because of money.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

He can still repeat with a different team. How can you be mad at him? He said he would get you a title and he did. Two of their key players, if they did win a title next year, would be old and on their last legs (Shaq and Big Z) and they would probably retire or leave. You couldn’t sign them back, they would have to take ridiculous pay cuts. LeBron can’t possibly think Cleveland can contend for years to come with those 2 gone and Hickson playing center. He is a player and he wants to win, if he thinks he can win somewhere else you can boo him 2 times a year when he comes back to Quicken Loans Arena, but that won’t stop him from leaving. He needs a young team to run with and he just doesn’t have that right now. He is not just going to be looking at the immediate future, or else he would have signed an extension already. He is looking at the long term and NY is a good fit long term. Dantoni and Walsh are doing a great job cleaning up Isaiah’s mess and they actually have young talent there. The addition of LeBron does not immediately make them a contender as their roster stands right now but I’m not sure he is expecting to jump to a contender immediately. He is looking to build a team, much like he did in Cleveland. He has maxed out with Cleveland. They are just putting a band-aid on the situation and avoiding dealing with it until LeBron makes a decision. NY is looking toward the future. If LeBron goes to NY he can bring them a championship in 3 years.

[McWinningParticipant]

you really think the Knicks can win a title?

[McWinningParticipant]

you really think the Knicks can win a title?

[ckowalskiParticipant]

Absolutely. LeBron can will his team to win. Dantoni wont let the Knicks stand around and watch LeBron like Mike Brown does.

[McWinningParticipant]

who would be his number one sidekick?

[ckowalskiParticipant]

If he signed with them in 2010? Probably Wilson Chandler. But I’m sure Walsh would sign a second tier FA, maybe Johnson would like a return to Dantoni’s system, or someone like Ginobili would really thrive in it, although I can’t see him leaving SA. His sidekick is not on that team as of now, unless someone makes a huge jump in production from last year.

[McWinningParticipant]

now your going too far. first of all they probably wouldnt have the money. second Ginoble loves his role and wouldnt leave,and Johnson is not leaving either.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

Even someone like Ray Allen is still a deadly shooter and a good option. I see 2011 as the year when they seriously contend with Curry and Jeffries’ contracts gone they will have money to sign a good number 2 option

[ckowalskiParticipant]

I just said Ginobili probably won’t leave SA. Johnson cannot contend with that Hawks team, why stay on it?

[McWinningParticipant]

i agree Allan would be nice but why would Lebron leave when he could be competing with the Cavs instead of waiting?

[ckowalskiParticipant]

He has been waiting 7 years, what is one more year? He can’t compete with that team forever. They are just signing filler players right now to contend immediately, they have almost no young talent on their roster.

[McWinningParticipant]

the Knicks dont have much talent at all either (even less).

[McWinningParticipant]

the Knicks dont have much talent at all. David Lees okay but their bench is awful and if Nate leaves they really dont have much.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

They have young talent. Chandler, Gallinari, Douglas, possibly Sessions as well. I would love to see what LeBron could do with Darko. Not to mention if Nate and/ or Lee resigned. Cleveland has Hickson and Gibson and they never play them enough minutes. No question that the Cavs are a more talented team right now. But given another year to mature and grow and get good playing time the Knicks can be a quality team with the addition of LeBron.

[deshawynkeys91Participant]

Ckowalski…….STOP IT!!!!! DID U JUST MENTION DARKO…… NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

i’m sorry but ur list of young talent is pretty bad… chandler = matt barnes… gallinari = (young turkoglu)… douglas = (never played a game in the league ur reaching!!!)

i think it is more realistic that lebron plays in new jersey who have real young talent…. b. lopez, d. harris, c. lee and Yi

[NYK2010Participant]

Are you serious you obviously haven’t seen him play much.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Lol…first of all, what are these endorsements opps that LBJ has in NY? someone please tell me that…Everyone keeps talking about all these endorsements he can get in NY, but the majority of any player’s endorsement money (especially from the U.S.) comes from his shoe company (ie Nike, Addidas, Reebok) While he might be able to get MORE endorsement deals, the AMOUNT, will not increase that significantly. The majority of his endorsements are locked in through the rest of his shoe deal.

One thing I will give you is that he’d probably sell more jerseys being in a bigger market, but realistically, how high of a % are royalties anyway?

I don’t think that LBJ could make more going to NY than staying in Cleveland, esp if the cap goes down as mny are predicting. The amount that cleve will be able to offer is WAY higher than what he can get in NY… see the article above posted by Qhaynes (I believe)

Deshawn, you’re on point about NY not having a lot of talent, but watch out with the Danilo~Turk comparison, just as kowalski reached on Douglas, you’re doing the same with Danilo. Give the guy time… I’m not saying he won’t be good, but I’d be a little more cautious on that front. It’s been a whiles ince we’ve had a successful European big…

I’d like to see LBJ win and then bounce, but I don’t think he’d necessarily make more money… I think he’d do it to try and be in the best position to win. He knows that’s how legends are made.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

deshawnkeys –

If you read my first post I said the 3 places I could see him going to are NY, NJ or the Clippers if he left. I did not say Douglas was the second coming of Jesus, I said he was a young and talented guy that given time to develop in Dantoni’s system could become a good piece. Nor did I say I thought Darko was an amazing player, all I said is I would love to see what LeBron could do with him. I also think NJ will struggle without Carter this year, much like NY has struggled without a veteran leader. Young talent can only get you so far.

xbadgerhustler-

I agree that he could make more money playing basketball in Cleveland, but I think the total amount of money he could make would increase in a bigger market like NY or NJ or LA. I can’t predict the monetary value of his endorsements that he would recieve, but I would think if he went to NY, NJ, or LA his face would be plastered on damn near every street corner.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

So basically, you have no idea whether or not he’d make more in total in a bigger market… just so we’re clear on that.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

I think the total amount of money he could make would increase in a bigger market like NY or NJ or LA.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

but do u really have any real reason to believe that? cause I think that’s pretty far off the truth…

[deshawynkeys91Participant]

xbadgerhustler i think the comparison is a fair one between gallinari and a young turkoglu… dont forget turkoglu had moments when he was with sac. coming off the bench and more importantly is a pretty solid player in the league now… so i’ve left room for gallinari to grow into a respectable player and have not called him a bust or star but i think he will be a solid player when its all said and done…

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

fair enough deshawn… i’d have been okay with the comparison before this year when Turk really elevated his game… I think ppl are a little unreasonable with how they see Danilo, but that’s just my opinion.

[deshawynkeys91Participant]

i hear that ckowalski but my point was that ur calling guys like gallinari and douglas solid young talents but the truth is no one know what ability douglas has b/c HE HAS NEVER PLAYED A GAME IN THE NBA!! and as for gallinari the guy has played in only a hand full of games so give it a season before u count these guys as solid young pieces.. and i know what u said about darko but even lebron can’t turn cow manure in to gold..

[ckowalskiParticipant]

At the risk of starting a he said, she said argument, is there any reason not to believe that? I think if he wants to make real money he needs to leave Cleveland. Small market teams like the Spurs still get minimal love even though they compete year in and year out. I think at this point basketball has become more about endorsements than anything else. I live in Austin, Texas and I have never once seen an ad with any of the Spurs players in it, except when Sports Illustrated runs their ads for championship stuff for 2 weeks after the Spurs won their championships. I’ve seen more Eva Longoria ads than Tony Parker ads. If James wants to be a bigger figure in the endorsement industry he needs to leave Cleveland, and I think that’s a fact. Bigger cities are just more marketable. He has revived basketball in Cleveland but I just can’t see him getting any love their from bigger corporations. A lot of corporations are based in bigger markets also and I think that plays a factor. Generally when you recieve more exposure you recieve more endorsements which equals more money. I know that sounds like an oxymoron since James is probably one of the most well known basketball players there is, but I just can’t see him marketing himself to his maximum ability and gaining maximum exposure in a small market. I think if he played for NY he would be in the news every day. There is just a lot of pressure to play for the Knicks and win for the Knicks, he would be all over the place.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

I get what you’re saying. I’m basing it off the talent they had when they were drafted. I know Douglas hasn’t played a game, but he was talented coming out of college and I don’t have a reason to believe he is not talented as of now. Will his talent translate to the NBA? That remains to be seen.

[Lemons4LifeParticipant]

I dont why, but there’s 2 posts so yeah. Otherwise Wade is my favorite! :[]

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Yea, I guess I just disagree… I don’t think that LBJ could be the headline more than he already is, and I think that over the life of the contract, he’d probably lose like ~20-30 million or something like that signing in NY over Cleve…

lol… the endorsement industry… you don’t think that LBJ gets his pick of which endorsements he wants to do already? I just can’t really see how him being in a different city is really going to make that much of a difference. His endorsements are most likely set as of right now, IMO, and I still believe his biggest endorser is his shoe deal with Nike, and that contract is locked in… the real opps are in China, etc… and those opps are there regardless of whether he plays in NY or in Cleve….. I guess we just disagree. That’s what he has a manager for.

[NYK2010Participant]

Why wouldn’t he sign an extension he could get more money from the Cavs now before the cap went down again right.
If he signed an extension maybe they get Ariza or Artest. Those guys know he’s leaning to leaving.
NBA Execs and Analysts keep saying he will stay but its just speculation.

They probly won’t’ win a title this year Boston is too strong, sooner or later losing in the playoffs will get to him.
By the end of the year you’ll see Knicks young guys playing better than the Cavs.
How much have Gibson, Varejao, Mo Williams, West improved?
Shaq will leave end of the year and Big Z might retire.
Don’t bank on Anthony Parker and his career 10 ppg avg to help that much.
Or maybe he wants to play for Mike Brown over Mike D’Antoni

Didn’t he say he wants to be a billionaire if he wants to do that most likely needs to and wants to play in front of the biggest stage which is in NY.

[quincey hodges]

how much will the knicks players improve…you have to remeber that all this scoring is a product of d’antonios offense more then anything. the knicks young talent can be alright but zero has the ability to be stars in my opnion which is why they need to not only bring in one superstar but 2. people keep overrating the talent that are with the knicks( mostly fans) but they forget how bad the knicks were last year….and mean BAD they better hope and pray they get lebron even though he has a better chance to win in clevland then n.y..ckowalski mentioned that mike brown will just stand there and let bron do what he wants while d’antoni wont…well you also failed to mention that d’antoni wont require the team to play any defense and just have them score alot which hes shown even with alot of talent (phx) he as well as his style cant win a title

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