I think he subconsciously (and a tad consciously) tanked Game 5 so he could more easily leave Cleveland. I say he and Bosh end up in NY and, with D'Antoni, turn it into a powerhouse.
I say Chicago ... he may get a chance to have some say in who the coach is going to be, he'll be paired up with a budding superstar in Rose, surrounded by pretty good talent, and if the Bulls work a sign and trade with Cleveland, they can still pursue another big time free agent (maybe Bosh?). I think James is going to want to win and Chicago offers him a better chance than just about all of the other teams out there with cap space IMO.
Clippers are an intriguing team, IMO. Kaman, Davis, Gordon, Griffin, Smith, Gooden (14/9), and Cap Space.
I will tell you one place he will NOT end up, New York. The Knicks have an atrocious roster. If he wanted to be in that city he would choose NJ, they have Lopez/Harris/top draft pick, and cap space to sign an additional free agent. Knick fans are delusional. I voted for Miami, him and Wade would be unstoppable, they could still add a 3rd free agent, and NBA players love Miami night life.
Knicks have a ton of money. They can sign Bron, Bosh and a decent supporting cast, along with Lee. Also, D'Antoni's style will mean LeBron possibly averaging 40 a night.
I agree. If the Knicks sign ONE other top free agent, (like Bosh) then they will already be much better off than a NJ team with James and Lopez. I still thinks the Knicks are the front runners. I think the idea of winning with the Knicks (who have not one a title for 4 decades) is too appealing to pass up.
Nope. If the Knicks want all of their capspace to pursue free agents then they have to relinquish their rights to Lee. At best they can sign Lebron and another max guy OR Lee (for close to the max). Other than that the Knicks have no point guard, no draft picks, just a lot of question marks and holes surrounding two stars. And how does that make Lebron more of winner than if he was to just stay with Cleveland for more money?
My mistake on Lee. As for LeBron, I think winning is secondary to him. I also think he's cocky enough to think he will win anywhere.
I think it's interesting..... I think there's three possibilities. 1. Miami - I think he wants to play with his buddy D Wade. 2. Chicago - What if Bron signed with the Bulls and PhilJax made a triumphant return? The hype in that city would be insane. What if they got Bron AND Wade... is that even possible? Wade and LeBron might actually be a better duo than Pippen/Jordan..... MIGHT. 3. Nets - they discussed this on ESPN, but Bron is buds with Jay-Z and the Nets are moving to Brooklyn. They have a decent cast with Lopez and Harris, and they will have a lotto pick. If the Bulls could get Bron and Jackson, I would pencil them in for at least two or three titles. Bron and Moon to Chicago for Hinrich and Deng. Sign Wade. Rose Wade Bron ?? Noah That team would be insane. Sign Phil Jackson. He brings in his assortment of nobodies like he did back in Chicago with Jordan and Pippen.
According to Storyteller's salary data, New York hast 17,782,905 committed for next season...and that's counting in the qualifying offer hold for Sergio Rodriguez. Since he was terrible for them, I think they can safely not extend him a QO...which would drop their commitments to about $15.4M. This year's cap, I believe, was set at about $57 million. So that leaves about $42 million. I believe that's enough to resign Lee to about a $10-12 million contract and still do 2 max deals. Not 100% sure what a max contract this year is, though. I thought about $15 million.
If he wants to create a legacy he goes to NJ/Brooklyn. With the team relocating to Brooklyn he'd really put a stamp on something new.
It doesn't quite work like that, since there is a minimum team salary and if you don't have enough guys on your roster to satisfy that minimum team salary there are capholds put in place.
Miami and New Jersey both have more money available than the Knicks. That Knicks line is a nice lie, it has been repeated so often, people have heard it so much they're starting to just assume it's true.
Question: what do the Knicks have to offer that the Nets don't? Plus, if he signs with the Nets, he gets to pick the new coach. Harris, Lopez, a high lotto pick, cap room to add another vet, and the coach of your choice.......how do the Knicks beat that? (and yes, my best guess is that those are the only teams he *wants* to play for)
Deng to Cleveland for LeBron in an S&T is a rumor. That would give the Bulls near enough (if not enough) for a 2nd MAX FA signing.
Teams are required to have 12 men on their roster. For every non committed roster spot, there's a $475K cap hold (minimum player salary). So if they have 2 players committed, they have 10 x $475K, or about $4.75M less cap space.
