ESPN: LeBron will opt out

[E5 Yaz]

Part of me would welcome the Clippers scenario, just to kick what's left of the Lakers in the nuts. Riley might actually be tempted to do the same.
 
Not going to happen, probably, but there'd be some joy in it.
 
Love TRic's idea of the Spurs ... just to see Skip Bayless spontaneously combust on national TV

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

It's absolutely a message to Arison/Riley that they knew he'd be pissed off if the Heat amnestied Miller to save luxury tax dollars while moving Joel Anthony's slot to save more luxury tax dollars rather than keeping Miller and moving Anthony for an actual basketball player while absorbing MORE salary. That's two productive players Miami could have picked up to help LeBron instead Arison added to his coffers.

I'm certain that LeBron has known all along he'd be opting out while demanding Arison/Riley make some moves on draft night to bring him some help regardless of cost which is the motivation for the timing of this announcement.

 
I believe the Heat also had the MLE to use but chose not to for luxury tax reasons.

 

[Infield Infidel]

They got blown off the court by the Spurs. I agree they got a bit cheap, but its hard to say now that it cost them a title. They outscored them by 14 points a game.

 A big aspect of it was the minutes the big 3 played. They wore down, which was relatively easy to see even in the Eastern conference finals.  If Miller takes 5 mpg each from LeBron and Wade, and Anthony takes 5-10 mpg from Bosh, they'd have been fresher for the playoffs. Maybe they don't beat the Spurs but they would have been more competitive, and probably would have beaten the East more easily. 

 

[E5 Yaz]

The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, had begun exploring such machinations even before the opt outs of James and Anthony had become known, according to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne. The Lakers have been trying in recent days to package the No. 7 overall pick in Thursday's draft with the expiring contract of Steve Nash (who's owed $9.7 million next season) to free up enough room to offer James and Anthony at least $16 million each next season to join forces with Kobe Bryant, Shelburne reported.
 

 
 
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11128345/nba-teams-gear-runs-lebron-james-carmelo-anthony

 

[HurstSoGood]

Lebron has always been underpaid, per NBA salary structure. The cap is a killer for him. What is not usually discussed is the fact that he is the top dog as far as endorsements go ($42M LY). While some want to debate whether he would take a $5-6 million dollar pay-cut to allow his team flexibility, his personal salary is somewhat irrelevant (as opposed to how valuable his pay is to the team). He would make up for any difference with 3 months of new jersey sales. The 2015 Heat would suck without him. Not to mention, how pissed off would Heat management be if Lebron leaves before they can use him as leverage to reap the rewards of a new TV deal (which will be much less $$ without him).
 
The Heat (and the Miami Metro area) need Lebron much more than Lebron needs them. He has a better shot at winning in Chicago and maybe even with Cleveland. I hope he leaves and Miami implodes.

 

[dylanmarsh]

 
 
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11128345/nba-teams-gear-runs-lebron-james-carmelo-anthony

 
Better yet.  Take the #7 and Steve Nash (using the PP exception) for the #17 pick.  Package the #6 and #7 for Love.  Profit.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

 A big aspect of it was the minutes the big 3 played. They wore down, which was relatively easy to see even in the Eastern conference finals.  If Miller takes 5 mpg each from LeBron and Wade, and Anthony takes 5-10 mpg from Bosh, they'd have been fresher for the playoffs. Maybe they don't beat the Spurs but they would have been more competitive, and probably would have beaten the East more easily. 

 
I agree with the theory, but the Spurs were a much, much better team in the finals and while some of that may have been 'freshness' most of it just does not seem likely to have been.  Doesn't make the Miller decision a good one, but agree with those saying we shouldn't overstate the impact, either.

 

[strek1]

Is this an A-Rod situation where it's just a mechanism to drain more cash from the Heat or is he truly going to be wearing a different uniform next season?

 I think it's an ESPN situation - So they can broadcast "THE DECISION II" 

 

[bankshot1]

Contemplating Lebron comtemplating taking his act on the road again, in the search of titles, seems a little too nomadic and a little unseemly for a guy who styles himself as one of the greatest ever.  The greatest winners in the game didn't jump from franchise to franchise. Russell didn't, Jordan didn't, Kareem (1-trade) Magic, Bird, didn't. Most great winners are associated with 1 -team.
 
I think brand-Lebron is best served in Miami. trying to re-establish a champion's patina. His act might work with the Knicks (long-time since Willis hit his jumper) or the Clippers (stealing the town from the Lakers might be a doable challenge worthy of a King).   

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

If you follow today's NBA, its a lot different than the league Jordan played in and another world from Bird and Magic's NBA. Russell effectively played in another league altogether.

LeBron will likely return to Miami but are we really going to fault the guy if he decides his best chance to win titles is elsewhere? He has already proven that he will take less money in favor of winning -something Kobe Bryant, who is widely considered a win-first player, didn't do recently - and yet LeBron still gets hate. If anything, folks should admire the guy's desire to win at all costs. In the current NBA that means finding the best possible cast to team up with. We now know that, at present, the Heat do not have a great supporting cast.

 

[Marbleheader]

I don't think LeBron minds being a hired gun, he may well be setting a precedent for future superstars . Every few years, look for a new challenge.

He's going to make a ridiculous amount of money in endorsements wherever he goes. He can't be 'bigger' than he is now, a I don't buy that NY or LA somehow will be more lucrative. Jordan and Manning did just fine outside of those two cities, and James earned $42m in endorsements last year, the most of any team athlete by a large margin.

 

[DJnVa]

Chris Broussard (I know, I know) said on ESPN Radio this afternoon that he thinks it's about 55-60% that LBJ returns to Miami.

 

[amlothi]

Chris Broussard (I know, I know) said on ESPN Radio this afternoon that he thinks it's about 55-60% that LBJ returns to Miami.

 
He's wrong. According to http://www.bomus.org/ there's an 85% chance Lebron returns to Miami.

 

[Brickowski]

Ah yes, the JJ Reddick road to glory. Again, this is not wrapping up before the Celtics TE expires. Try again.

Just pointing out a fact, not making a suggestion. If the Clips want to sign LeBron as a free agent for more than the MLE they have to shed salary without taking any back. The following teams currently have trade exceptions over 5M:

Boston 10.3M expires 7/12/14
Denver 9.9M expires 7/10/14
Golden State 9.8M expires 7/10/14
Oklahoma City 6.5M expires 7/11/14

If the Clips want LeBron without relinquishing Griffin (and that's assuming Riley is willing to do a sign and trade) they have to wrap it up by 7/12 or kiss LeBron goodbye.

 

[Bongorific]

I don't see him going anywhere other than Cleveland or Miami. The first time around he panicked at the pressure of being an all time great but not having a ring. Now he has a couple. The next step is to build a legacy somewhere. Put in a decade of service in one city so that 20 years from now there's a LBJ statue outside the arena. Right now, I don't think either Miami or Cleveland has enough claim him to call him the first son of the city. If leaves for somewhere else, I'm not sure he has enough years left to create a Bird/Jordan/Magic legacy. He needs to cement a legacy somewhere where he already has some service time.

 

[SumnerH]

Yup. Plus, the same people who get on him for switching teams would be mocking him for not winning in a sub-optimal situation. Somehow, it's considered noble for an aging star to get a ring with a new team but if a guy in his prime does it he's a deserter.

 
Huh?  

 

[86spike]

If you're Bosh or Wade and are asked to opt-out and take a pay cut, don't you laugh in the face of whomever in camp Lebron asks you that question?

 

[SumnerH]

There is a double standard with LeBron. Nobody bats an eyelash when an aging star goes ring grabbing but some people have denounced LeBron's "mercenary" status. Why should he stay in a bad situation if he doesn't have to?

 
Wow, I disagree.  People definitely talk about it when aging stars try to hook up with successful teams to get a ring.  

 

[bankshot1]

There is a double standard with LeBron. Nobody bats an eyelash when an aging star goes ring grabbing but some people have denounced LeBron's "mercenary" status. Why should he stay in a bad situation if he doesn't have to?

Ray Allen sends his regards.
 
Lebron just competed for a championship, as he's done for the past four years. If he stays iwith the Heat, there's a good chance they'd again play deep into the '15 post-season. I'm not sure I'd classify that as a bad situation.

 

[BostonFan23]

Can you cite a recent example? Because only guy I could think of who got any kind of reaction was Malone/Payton to the Lakers. I mean, Boston has a ring because KG forced his way out of town and nobody seemed to care about that.

Do you really not see the difference between how the Celtics' trio came together vs. the Heat's?

 

[SumnerH]

Can you cite a recent example? Because only guy I could think of who got any kind of reaction was Malone/Payton to the Lakers. I mean, Boston has a ring because KG forced his way out of town and nobody seemed to care about that.

 
The Malone/Payton teams definitely got the biggest buzz along those lines in quite a while, but KG and the Celtics certainly had their detractors as well (despite the fact that they traded for KG rather than signing him as a FA).
 
http://www.philstar.com/young-star/11728/east%E2%80%99s-new-mercenaries "The East's new mercenaries"
 
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2008/06/do-houston-sports-fans-not-care-about-titles/ The Celtics had to buy a title, they didn’t earn it.
 
http://blogs.mcall.com/sports/2008/08/root-root-root.html Take the Celtics for example. Sure, if you’re a Boston fan, you’re happy they won the NBA title. But isn’t it a little less rewarding considering superstars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were in their first seasons in Boston?  But isn’t it more satisfying to be able to attend that championship parade if you’re celebrating the achievement of a team and players that have been there awhile, not just thrown together in a big money move to buy a title?
 
http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_return_to_boston_of_kevin_garnett_and_paul_pierce/15633590 "One of them was originally a mercenary who came to help win a title"
 
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/nba-2013-14-season-preview-brooklyn-nets/ When the Boston Celtics won their 17th title in 2008, it seemed like the question of whether you could purchase an NBA championship had been answered once and for all with a definitive “anything is possible.”  Yes, you could ship a bunch of picks and homegrown talent out the door for a pair of high-priced mercenaries "
 
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/07/10/what-month-boston-sports-world/SiupsJPP8NGdBQcUkAyQLM/story.html "Garnett is another matter. He came to us as a mercenary and he is the reason the Celtics in 2008 won their only championship since 1986." [Shaughnessy warning!]

 

[bankshot1]

Nobody outside of Boston gave two shits about Ray Allen to Miami.

You asked for an aging superstar who went in search for a ring. I gave you one.
 
I think LBJ is looking for guaranteed rings, and IMO it strikes, or will strike fans the wrong way. Maybe it is the new paradigm for superstars in a FA era, I'm just not crazy about it.  

 

[MakMan44]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-clippers-lebron-james-20140624-story.html
 

Doc Rivers, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations and coach, and his staff are doing their due diligence to make the team better and would consider moving All-Star power forward Blake Griffin along with others in a sign-and-trade deal to get James, according to the officials.
 
The Clippers could consider sending Griffin and Jared Dudley or Griffin and Matt Barnes to Miami to get James.

 

[Marbleheader]

If you're Doc, why would you even throw out considering trading Griffin. In the likely event James doesn't become a Clipper, he's created the need for some unnecessary fence mending. Maybe he can just excuse it as a motivational tactic.

 

[Statman]

KG forced his way out of Minnesota in search of a better situation.

 
You have said this a few times, but you have no fucking idea what you are talking about. 
 
KG's loyalty to Minnesota was well known throughout the league.  In fact, he was on the record for years saying that he didn't want to leave his "beloved Sota."  On top of that, KG, in his 12 years in Minnesota, never made a trade demand on the organization. 
 
As for the trade to Boston, KG effectively vetoed the initial deal by stating that he would opt out of the final year of his contract and leave the Celtics via free agency in the summer of 2008.  KG changed his mind and agreed to the trade (and a 3-year extension) AFTER Boston acquired Ray Allen by trading the #5 pick to Seattle. 
 
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2954127

 

[PedroKsBambino]

If you're Doc, why would you even throw out considering trading Griffin. In the likely event James doesn't become a Clipper, he's created the need for some unnecessary fence mending. Maybe he can just excuse it as a motivational tactic.

 
Because Lebron is that good---truly, he's worth the risk that you frustrate Griffin.

 

[Devizier]

Blake Griffin might be the best return on a sign and trade in league history. 
 
And the Heat would still be getting shellacked in that trade.

 

[Marbleheader]

Sure, if it comes down to making a real trade offer I completely understand. However, this early in the game, not even knowing if Miami will flat out refuse to do a sign and trade, it just seems unnecessary.

 

[Statman]

Secondly, your post makes zero sense. KG was so loyal to Minnesota that he vetoed a trade to Boston...until he saw that Boston had also gotten Ray Allen. Then, he "changed his mind". Funny how that works!

 
What I am trying to say is that in no way did KG ever "force his way out of town."  To imply that KG is somehow on the same level as other players who have done exactly that is a disservice to KG. 

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Just pointing out a fact, not making a suggestion. If the Clips want to sign LeBron as a free agent for more than the MLE they have to shed salary without taking any back. The following teams currently have trade exceptions over 5M:

Boston 10.3M expires 7/12/14
Denver 9.9M expires 7/10/14
Golden State 9.8M expires 7/10/14
Oklahoma City 6.5M expires 7/11/14

If the Clips want LeBron without relinquishing Griffin (and that's assuming Riley is willing to do a sign and trade) they have to wrap it up by 7/12 or kiss LeBron goodbye.

Of those 4 teams only Boston would have any interest in steering LeBron to LA.....the other 3 would never do any deal to add LeBron to their conference.

Still the most likely scenario which I brought up last week is Griffin in a sign-n-trade once Riley realizes Blake plus another sign-n-trade with Bosh is the best path to retooling.

I don't feel LeBron is returning to Miami based on the tone of Riley's comments last week. He knows Bron is out.

 

[Statman]

KG used his leverage as a star player to land in a better situation.

 
What leverage are you talking about?  He had a player opt-out provision in his contract that allowed him to become a free agent in the summer of 2008.  That was negotiated between both parties and was something expressly agreed to by his team.  It's not like KG threatened to sit out or made a trade demand. 
 
If Minnesota did not trade him by the end of 2008, Minnesota risked losing him for nothing if they sat on their asses, but instead decided to cash in on KG and ended up with a legit NBA star (Jefferson), a top six man (Green), two rotation players and two future unprotected first round picks.  That's a pretty good haul if you ask me.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I have changed my thinking here.  I think LeBron to either one of the LA teams - and most likely its the Clips - is going to happen.  It makes too much sense all the way around, especially if the Heat can get Griffin in return.  Dev is right - its about as well as the Heat could hope for in return for LeBron.  And yes, it will still be a lopsided deal.  
 
The problem for LeBron is that he is hitching his wagon to yet another guy who looks like he is breaking down in CP3.  Chris Paul hasn't played over 70 regular season games in four years and his injuries seem to be mounting.  In the West, the games in January count almost as much as the ones in April and beyond so unless you are the Spurs, saving guys for the playoffs isn't the path to prosperity. 

 

[Devizier]

Just pointing out a fact, not making a suggestion. If the Clips want to sign LeBron as a free agent for more than the MLE they have to shed salary without taking any back. The following teams currently have trade exceptions over 5M:

Boston 10.3M expires 7/12/14
Denver 9.9M expires 7/10/14
Golden State 9.8M expires 7/10/14
Oklahoma City 6.5M expires 7/11/14

If the Clips want LeBron without relinquishing Griffin (and that's assuming Riley is willing to do a sign and trade) they have to wrap it up by 7/12 or kiss LeBron goodbye.

 
The Celtics have two TPEs and Bogans' non-guaranteed. The Clippers would have to pile a bunch of future draft assets to make it worth Ainge's while, but the Celtics could easily clear $15M+ off the Clippers' books by taking Redick, Dudley, Barnes, and Bullock in exchange for air. It would be more complicated, but a deal involving Jordan could probably be put together as well.
 
Dunno how capable a Clippers squad with a Lebron/Griffin front line would be, though. 
 
In other words, the Griffin/James sign-and-trade makes the most sense (if this is going to happen).

 

[Reardon's Beard]

I wonder if LeBron would try to convince Carmelo to go to Cleveland with him. Them and Uncle Drew would be a helluva foundation to put supporters around.

 

[jon abbey]

I don't believe that Carmelo cares enough about winning a title to live in Cleveland. 

 

[fairlee76]

What leverage? Read your 2nd sentence. That was KG's leverage right there. He could have easily re-upped at any time. But he didn't because he wanted to keep his options open...kind of like LeBron. Quibbling about the language of "forcing his way out of town" is missing the overarching point of my post, which is that LeBron gets more grief for being a mercenary than almost any other star in any other situation. I was merely pointing out possible examples of the double standard. Just because KG wasn't a douche like LeBron doesn't mean that his situation didn't have some similarities.

Not trying to pile on, but KG's situation in Minnesota circa 2007 was far different than LeBron's in Cleveland or Miami.  It was no secret that Minnesota was shopping KG around, looking for the best deal.  Also, KG was 31 at the time and on the back end of his career.  If anything, he (not the team) should have been the one pushing for a trade.  By all accounts, KG reluctantly agreed to the trade to Boston after it became clear that the Wolves were looking to move him.  The contrast with the way LeBron left Cleveland is pretty stark, IMO.
 
Here's ESPN's take on the KG goings-on:  http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2954127
 
On your point about loyalty not meaning shit in pro sports circa 2014, I whole-heartedly agree with you.  It's nice when a guy plays his entire career with one club (provided it works for both sides), but the fact that a player leaves/forces his way out of a city does not make him a douche.  There's a tactful way to do it.

 

[quint]

I don't believe that Carmelo cares enough about winning a title to live in Cleveland. 

This statement is almost unbelievably stupid.

Kudos, I suppose.

 

[jon abbey]

This statement is almost unbelievably stupid.

Kudos, I suppose.

 
Huh, I don't get called stupid very often, so kudos back at you?
 
Back on topic, I have followed Melo's career pretty closely and I don't think he really cares that much about winning a title. If he did, he wouldn't have forced NY to move so many of their assets in exchange for him, when he could have gone to NY the next summer anyway. 
 
Anyway, maybe you could elaborate on your statement? Do you really believe that every top NBA player wants to win a title first and foremost, over money, quality of life, etc.? Because if you do, I'm pretty sure I'm not close to the dumbest one in this dialogue. 

 

[jon abbey]

In fact, I'm not a betting man, but I am close to certain that if Melo was given the choice for equal money to play in Chicago with Noah and whatever Rose currently is or Cleveland with LeBron and Irving and Parker/Wiggins, he would choose Chicago despite it likely being a worse basketball situation. 

 

[moly99]

 
Back on topic, I have followed Melo's career pretty closely and I don't think he really cares that much about winning a title. If he did, he wouldn't have forced NY to move so many of their assets in exchange for him, when he could have gone to NY the next summer anyway. 

 
Also, the Knicks were not the best team to start with. He chose New York for the city rather than the Knicks per se.
 
It's a shame that the Sixers roster doesn't fit him better. If Nerlens Noel and Thaddeus Young were better shooters he could redeem himself by being a leader on a promising rebuilding team while also staying next to New York for his wife and playing in the 6th largest market.
 
Personally I hope he picks the Lakers. Overpaying for both Kobe and Melo would destroy their next two seasons, and there's a 99.99% chance Kobe and Melo would publicly feud.

 

[jon abbey]

Some quotes from Melo about his situation, it's hard to imagine him signing with Cleveland under any circumstances, as I said above.
 
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/23/carmelo-anthony-says-family-living-conditions-to-play-a-big-role-in-his-decision-on-next-team/

 

[DJnVa]

Brian Windhorst was on the radio this morning and basically said that while Cleveland will talk to LBJ, that unless they somehow pull off a Kevin Love deal tomorrow it's not happening. Not at this point in his career. He said LBJ still has issues with Gilbert. He said people in LBJ's circle have asked if he's heard that Gilbert might eventually sell the team.
 
He said Houston will talk with him and their pitch will be, "We have the best center and the best 2-guard--if you come here we will have the best player at 3 different spots". Those contentions are arguable.
 
He mentioned Chicago will be attractive, especially if they can swing him and Carmelo.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Per Chad Ford, Miami is trying hard to move up in the draft to land Napier. I remember Lebron saying during UConn's championship run that Napier should be the 1st PG taken in the draft, sounds like Miami is listening to him early on in his opt-out phase.

 

[ElUno20]

A rookie pg isnt going to be a reason for lebron to stay. Its a nice move in addition to a larger move. But it cant be the only thing

 

[jose melendez]

There's no way he ends up with the Lakers is there?  I know its somehow possible on paper, but it's like really, really unlikely right?

 

[bowiac]

There's no way he ends up with the Lakers is there?  I know its somehow possible on paper, but it's like really, really unlikely right?

Chad Ford suggested if Love ends up on Golden State, LeBron would make a lot of sense there if they could ditch Iggy's contract.

 

[jose melendez]

Chad Ford suggested if Love ends up on Golden State, LeBron would make a lot of sense there if they could ditch Iggy's contract.

There being GS, not LAL though.

 

[bowiac]

There being GS, not LAL though.

Yes. I was just ruminating on less discussed scenarios. I can't see the Lakers, given LeBron wants to win, and that roster is a bit of a tire fire.

 

[DJnVa]

Kobe will simply not abide with LBJ being on the Lakers. It will not happen.

 

[ElUno20]

That has not stopped the LA sports talk shows from 24/7 lebron, melo, and kobe fantasy talk for the last 2 days