Very interesting clause in LeBron's $90 million Nike contract

Bottom line, if the Cavaliers isn't a contending team by the time his contract expires, he will probably leave.

The last time the Cavaliers signed a major FA, his name was Gerald Wilkens. So by saying that, this offseason is going to be the biggest in franchise history. We have roughly 23(?) Million in cap space to sign some sidekicks.

I expect my Cavaliers to be an instant condenting team by the month of November.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">Bottom line, if the Cavaliers isn't a contending team by the time his contract expires, he will probably leave.

The last time the Cavaliers signed a major FA, his name was Gerald Wilkens. So by saying that, this offseason is going to be the biggest in franchise history. We have roughly 23(?) Million in cap space to sign some sidekicks..</div>
Actually going into the offseason (before Z is or isnt resigned) they have 27 million free in expiring contracts.

 

Thanks for the accurate amount JWohl, that is why I added a (?) next to that figure.

I know we have a good amount of cash to spend this offseason. The Cavaliers will pick up some good players and LeBron will be more than happy to stay.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">LeBron is not going to New York.

The thought of that makes me laugh. Gilbert is not stupid enough to trade away the home town hero for an underachieved Stephon Marbury. Keep dreaming Knicks fans.</div>
How do you know? Didn?t they say Shaq will never leave Orlando? McGrady was the hometown hero in Orlando and he wanted to leave. You have no idea what will happen in the next 2 years so how can you make such a bold statement?

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Da_Future_2k5:</div><div class="quote_post">this clause doesn't mean anything. people dig too much into things.. LeBron wants to WIN.. NY isnt the place to go to do that. The Cavs could contend next year depending on free agency this year.. (ray allen, michael redd)</div>
Why isn?t NY the place to win? In 2 years, the Knicks can be a whole different team from now. How can you assume that they won?t win? Ray Allen won over 50 games with Seattle and is well on his way to advancing to the semi finals. That being said, he is in the position of contention. So can I say, Allen wants to WIN?Cleveland isn?t the place to do that? It?s the same concept. Ilgauskas feels that Cleveland might not be the ideal place for him to contend so they lose a very solid center and a huge dimension in their game. Also Boozer didn?t seem interested in the fact he had James next to him and signed elsewhere.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting briang8818:</div><div class="quote_post">Wait, but I thought Lebron was demandidn a trade to NY (or so spike lee reports)

You don't think your gonna have to give up any significant players to get him? Is it gonna be a Lebron for cash trade?

Probably not.</div>
Where does Spike Lee report James is demanding a trade? Please provide a link for me. I do however remember saying Lee saying he would love for James to be a Knick and James responding by saying Lee is a cool dude. That?s all I remember reading?

Well from now and 2007, the Knicks have about 67 million expiring so who knows, by then the Knicks might be able to just sign him and the Nike contract could help him a bit.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bottom line, if the Cavaliers isn't a contending team by the time his contract expires, he will probably leave.</div>
Exactly, and what?s saying he won?t end up in NY?

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">I know we have a good amount of cash to spend this offseason. The Cavaliers will pick up some good players and LeBron will be more than happy to stay.</div>
How can you be so sure? I'm not saying that they will or will not, I'm just saying you can't make any guarantees?

 

I believe the whole thing about LeBron having endorsement "kickers" if he were playing in a place like NY was recently debunked as an internet rumor. Chad Ford - what a surprise - picked it up and went with it, and then everyone started to believe it.

LeBron already has over $100m anyway. Now he's going to want to win. I actually think LeBron will want to stay here because he knows it's HIS team, and will ALWAYS be his team. Plus, he gets a lot of privacy for his family here (which he has said is extremely important to him) and he would never get that in a place like NY. As long as we continue to improve this team, LeBron will hang around. And regardless of how bad we played at the end of the season, we're still a better team than last year, and infinitely better than we were two years ago. And we have plenty of cash to improve further this offseason. If we make the right moves we should be one of the top teams in the east next season.

The MLE possibility above is pointless, because there are probably no endorsement kickers anyway. Besides that, with the new CBA this year, teams will (probably) no longer be able to use the whole MLE on one player. You think LeBron would go sign somewhere for something like $3m, with no kickers? Right.

A sign and trade is also pointless for NY to think about. First off, even if our darkest day came around and LeBron said "I want out of here, get me out" (which I can't see happening, but anyway), why would we ever agree to trade him to NY? To get a bunch of old, over priced chumps in return? If it ever came down to that, where we were actually going to trade him when he hasn't even reached his peak yet, we'd be able to demand an elite player in return. Someone like (I'm trying to imagine who the other "elite" players will be in a few years) D. Wade or Amare Stoudemire. I still doubt any Cleveland GM would ever trade LeBron though, even if he demanded it, due to the backlash they would receive.

The point is, it is what it is. A pipe dream of one of the other 29 teams who wishes they had what we have.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">I believe the whole thing about LeBron having endorsement "kickers" if he were playing in a place like NY was recently debunked as an internet rumor. Chad Ford - what a surprise - picked it up and went with it, and then everyone started to believe it.</div>
It isn?t a rumor, it?s true. He does have endorsement kickers in his Nike contract.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LeBron already has over $100m anyway. Now he's going to want to win. I actually think LeBron will want to stay here because he knows it's HIS team, and will ALWAYS be his team. Plus, he gets a lot of privacy for his family here (which he has said is extremely important to him) and he would never get that in a place like NY. As long as we continue to improve this team, LeBron will hang around. And regardless of how bad we played at the end of the season, we're still a better team than last year, and infinitely better than we were two years ago. And we have plenty of cash to improve further this offseason. If we make the right moves we should be one of the top teams in the east next season.</div>
But if he comes to NY, it will be LeBron?s team too. As was stated earlier, if James signed with the Knicks, he could be a huge icon playing in a big market. What do you mean by a lot of privacy?


<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The MLE possibility above is pointless, because there are probably no endorsement kickers anyway. Besides that, with the new CBA this year, teams will (probably) no longer be able to use the whole MLE on one player. You think LeBron would go sign somewhere for something like $3m, with no kickers? Right</div>
Since LeBron already has the deal, signing in NY will increase his kickers, right? And if he makes $100 million, why would money be an issue?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A sign and trade is also pointless for NY to think about. First off, even if our darkest day came around and LeBron said "I want out of here, get me out" (which I can't see happening, but anyway), why would we ever agree to trade him to NY? To get a bunch of old, over priced chumps in return? If it ever came down to that, where we were actually going to trade him when he hasn't even reached his peak yet, we'd be able to demand an elite player in return. Someone like (I'm trying to imagine who the other "elite" players will be in a few years) D. Wade or Amare Stoudemire. I still doubt any Cleveland GM would ever trade LeBron though, even if he demanded it, due to the backlash they would receive.</div>
As I said before, the Knicks will have Allan Houston plus some other contracts expiring during the same time James becomes a free agent. Also Amare will probably be the most dominant center around and Riley is too high on Wade to trade him for James a player who is equally as good (maybe even better).

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The point is, it is what it is. A pipe dream of one of the other 29 teams who wishes they had what we have.</div>
Dreams do come true sometimes. My point is you can?t be so sure of what will happen.

 

Ok MrJ.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will not trade LeBron James nor let him escape in free agency regarless of what he wants. No General Manager is stupid enough to let a player such as LeBron James (who is a once in a decade type of player) get out of reach, by the time his contract is over, The Cavaliers can outbit any team that offers him money. And I am almost certain that he will be the highest paid player in the league by then.

New York's tradable assets are not going to push Cleveland's buttons for trades. The Cavaliers and (Gilbert) are not going to want your expiring contracts for our superstar. That is absured. The reason Dan Gilbert bought the team was because of LeBron James. Do you honestly think he would royally screw up our franchise by not making the right moves this offseason? Gilbert has the funds to find us some success in our front office and I believe it will happen.

I feel bad for you for reading the New York Post everymorning. They are always filled with rumors that hold no water, or with rumors that never happen. To me, the New York Post is just a big Tabloit paper just to get more readers to suck up their watery lies.

If you could be a good lad, find me a copy of LeBron's Nike contract zerox it and highlight the clause where it states he has endorsement kickers if he played for New York. Until then, I am in true belief that it is just a rumor.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">The Cleveland Cavaliers will not trade LeBron James nor let him escape in free agency regarless of what he wants. No General Manager is stupid enough to let a player such as LeBron James (who is a once in a decade type of player) get out of reach, by the time his contract is over, The Cavaliers can outbit any team that offers him money. And I am almost certain that he will be the highest paid player in the league by then.</div>
I agree, but the thing is the Cavaliers are in a losing situation right now. What if James doesn't want to re-sign with the Cavs?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">New York's tradable assets are not going to push Cleveland's buttons for trades. The Cavaliers and (Gilbert) are not going to want your expiring contracts for our superstar. That is absured. The reason Dan Gilbert bought the team was because of LeBron James. Do you honestly think he would royally screw up our franchise by not making the right moves this offseason? Gilbert has the funds to find us some success in our front office and I believe it will happen.
</div>
I know, but when your superstar player is about to walk out on you, you better take something rather than nothing, right?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I feel bad for you for reading the New York Post everymorning. They are always filled with rumors that hold no water, or with rumors that never happen. To me, the New York Post is just a big Tabloit paper just to get more readers to suck up their watery lies.
</div>
Exactly, it's a rumor. No one is saying that it will or it won't happen. The paper didn't even report it. It's a FACT. On Nike deals they increase based on if you play in a big market city.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If you could be a good lad, find me a copy of LeBron's Nike contract zerox it and highlight the clause where it states he has endorsement kickers if he played for New York. Until then, I am in true belief that it is just a rumor.</div>
I don't know if I'll be able to find his contract, but it is a fact he has endorsements kickers if he plays in New York. Ask anyone and they'll be able to confirm it for you if you don't beleive me.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, but the thing is the Cavaliers are in a losing situation right now. What if James doesn't want to re-sign with the Cavs? </div>

The Cavaliers missed the playoffs by 1 game two years in a row. We are a few pieces away from being a winning team. We can say "what if" all we want, but I am in belief that we will have a nice team next season.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I know, but when your superstar player is about to walk out on you, you better take something rather than nothing, right?</div>

Lets think about it this way: If LeBron announces "Ok, I want out of here. Lets find me a trade." PHOOOWEEE! Do you know how many teams will be ringing up the phone lines with offers? There will certainly a better deal out there than Allen Houston and some expiring contracts.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">The Cavaliers missed the playoffs by 1 game two years in a row. We are a few pieces away from being a winning team. We can say "what if" all we want, but I am in belief that we will have a nice team next season.</div>
But will it be nice enough to make the playoffs? Let's say Big Z leaves, what will that do to LeBron?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets think about it this way: If LeBron announces "Ok, I want out of here. Lets find me a trade." PHOOOWEEE! Do you know how many teams will be ringing up the phone lines with offers? There will certainly a better deal out there than Allen Houston and some expiring contracts.</div>
Fair enough, but what if James doesn't agree to it?

 

I don't believe it is up to James at all where he will be traded if he wished to be. The Cavaliers will send him to the team with the best offer no matter who the team is.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Red Bull:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't believe it is up to James at all where he will be traded if he wished to be. The Cavaliers will send him to the team with the best offer no matter who the team is.</div>
But in a sign and trade deal, don't you have to agree to sign first?

 

I think most people seem to discount the possibility that if LeBron leaves Cleveland, it will have more to do with trying to win than it will with Nike money or being a "hometown hero."

Neither are important in the grand scheme of things; LeBron wants to win - that hasn't happened in Cleveland, but we'll see what happens in the future - and the Nike kickers are much less important. So is being a "hometown hero," what's the point of having that tag if your team isn't winning?

 

I think that LeBron goes over this thought all the time.

I mean for an extra $10MIL+, for a man who wanted $1MIL just to enter this years dunk contest, why wouldn't he go to NY or LA?

 

That rumor of him wanting a Mil to enter the dunk contest was false. I can't believe people still believe that.

 

Rumors

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Rumors persist James will bolt for New York once his contract with the Cavaliers is over in three years. Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy believes otherwise. "The NBA has become so celebrity oriented that the media just assumes LeBron will go to New York or L.A. - so he can start some movie production company or record label," Chuck D said. "The media is so full of [expletive] that it can't understand why he would want to play in Cleveland. He's from there. His family is there. It's his home. Why would he want to leave?" Cleveland Plain Dealer</div>
source

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">? Many fans were frustrated last week that Redd returned to the last-place Milwaukee Bucks despite having the chance to come back home to Ohio and play with LeBron James. Well, the $20-some million difference between the offers was understandably the difference-maker. Keep those special rules to protect the incumbent team in mind in two years, when James is a free agent and the Cavaliers will be able to offer significantly more money to keep him. Contrary to numerous media reports, James' Nike contract does not have a kicker in it to increase his compensation if he plays in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. Some of his other endorsement deals do, but they represent much, much less than he can get by re-signing for a max contract in Cleveland. Not to mention he's restricted, and the Cavaliers can match any offer.</div>

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/basket...rs/12099325.htm

Thank you very much.

 

Which one is true and which one isn't?