From the Athletic: what will LeBron do?

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

New guy reminds me of Wiggy in his contrarianism

Wiggy knows how to use the quote button.....

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

At least Wiggy knows how to use the quote function.

Damn it.

Ninja'd by @trojanfan12.

 

[logic]

I vote for a retirement tour with Cleveland. That would be some lineup.

 

[trojanfan12]

I vote for a retirement tour with Cleveland. That would be some lineup.

Seems like the only way to make that happen would be a sign and trade...that would mean losing important pieces from a contending team to bring Lebron back for 1 last season in Cleveland. I pray they're that dumb. lol

If he wants to retire a Cav and if that's what the Cavs want too, I think it's more likely that they do one of those 1 day contract thingies.

 

[logic]

Seems like the only way to make that happen would be a sign and trade...that would mean losing important pieces from a contending team to bring Lebron back for 1 last season in Cleveland. I pray they're that dumb. lol

If he wants to retire a Cav and if that's what the Cavs want too, I think it's more likely that they do one of those 1 day contract thingies.

He can't just sign for a big discount to make it happen?

 

[trojanfan12]

He can't just sign for a big discount to make it happen?

Not sure what Cleveland's cap situation is like...but I doubt they have more than maybe a mid-level exception available. Don't see Lebron signing for that.

It's going to be an interesting off-season. He'll be a free agent, but the teams that could give him a max deal aren't contenders, most contenders couldn't get him under the cap without dumping salary or doing an S&T and I'd be surprised if the Lakers were willing to give him more than about $30 million. Although, the way he's played in these 1st two playoff games...he might be driving what they're willing to pay, up. lol

 

[logic]

Not sure what Cleveland's cap situation is like...but I doubt they have more than maybe a mid-level exception available. Don't see Lebron signing for that.

It's going to be an interesting off-season. He'll be a free agent, but the teams that could give him a max deal aren't contenders, most contenders couldn't get him under the cap without dumping salary or doing an S&T and I'd be surprised if the Lakers were willing to give him more than about $30 million. Although, the way he's played in these 1st two playoff games...he might be driving what they're willing to pay, up. lol

But what if they agree to sign Bronny?

 

[trojanfan12]

But what if they agree to sign Bronny?

He and Bronny could be the first father and son in league history to retire together.

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

He can't just sign for a big discount to make it happen?

I believe they have salary cap issues and he ain't playing for the vet minimum or Bi-annual MLE IMO.

 

[shopson67]

He can't just sign for a big discount to make it happen?

To what end? Does he want to move his family for a year and be further away from his son's collegiate games?

 

[shopson67]

He and Bronny could be the first father and son in league history to retire together.

Thing is, Bronny will be 35 at that time. Lebron going DEEEEP lol.

 

[logic]

To what end? Does he want to move his family for a year and be further away from his son's collegiate games?

Win another ring as a hometown hero

 

[dtgold88]

The players that make it clear that they aren’t re-signing and all but demand trades hijacking the last season or two under contract.

Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, etc.

Isn't better to be upfront and let them know you are out (which Lebron knew before he went to Miami and LA) than just be coy about it and make sure you get to stay in news about what you want to do?

 

[dtgold88]

Seems like the only way to make that happen would be a sign and trade...that would mean losing important pieces from a contending team to bring Lebron back for 1 last season in Cleveland. I pray they're that dumb. lol

If he wants to retire a Cav and if that's what the Cavs want too, I think it's more likely that they do one of those 1 day contract thingies.

Well, he could play for league minimum.....but assuming you don't believe any chance he will do that (and I sure have my doubts he would) then yes seems trade the only other way.

with a likely somewhat soured relationship still cannot imagine we'd offer anything/anyone that mattered for Lebron.....though I get why you'd hope we would.

edit - I now see like me you cannot see him offering such a huge discount.

 

[shopson67]

Well, he could play for league minimum.....but assuming you don't believe any chance he will do that (and I sure have my doubts he would) then yes seems trade the only other way.

with a likely somewhat soured relationship still cannot imagine we'd offer anything/anyone that mattered for Lebron.....though I get why you'd hope we would.

If he was going to do sign for the minimum, why not in LA where he already lives, his son plays, easy traveling distance to watch his other son, and the Lakers with considerable cap space to add real depth to a 4 seed team with AR and Luka?

This romanticism about Lebron and the Cavs is just smoke IMO.

 

[dtgold88]

If he was going to do sign for the minimum, why not in LA where he already lives, his son plays, easy traveling distance to watch his other son, and the Lakers with considerable cap space to add real depth to a 4 seed team with AR and Luka?

This romanticism about Lebron and the Cavs is just smoke IMO.

Those are good points, too, and really don't see him returning.......but add Lebron to our team without giving up anyone we care about? Barring injury or major Lebron regression hard to see us not coming out of East at very least.

Well, or him trading young, still improving players for his older, regressing friends.

 

[trojanfan12]

Well, he could play for league minimum.....but assuming you don't believe any chance he will do that (and I sure have my doubts he would) then yes seems trade the only other way.

Yeah, just can't see him taking that little. Especially with the level he's still playing at. Maybe he surprises everyone, but I wouldn't put any money on it.

with a likely somewhat soured relationship still cannot imagine we'd offer anything/anyone that mattered for Lebron.....though I get why you'd hope we would.

I'd think they'd have to part with at least one, maybe 2 guys who matter to get salaries to match up. Like I said, I pray the Cavs are that dumb...but ftr, I don't believe they are. They have too much time and energy invested in building a contending team to risk messing up for one last dance with Lebron.

Also, as you point out, things kind of soured between Lebron and the Cavs so it's possible, maybe even likely, that they wouldn't want him back and he may not want to play there again.

 

[shopson67]

Those are good points, too.......but add Lebron to our team without giving up anyone we care about? Barring injury or major Lebron regression hard to see us not coming out of East at very least.

Well, or him trading young, still improving players for his older, regressing friends.

The only way I see him leaving is either via retirement or if the Lakers refuse to pay him what he wants (not willing to take enough of a discount). That would mean S&T, which I don't think Cleveland is even in position to be able to do, cap rules and all? Unless Harden walks? They'd have to shed $14M plus whatever Lebron is signing for as they would be hard-capped at the 1st apron.

 

[dtgold88]

The only way I see him leaving is either via retirement or if the Lakers refuse to pay him what he wants (not willing to take enough of a discount). That would mean S&T, which I don't think Cleveland is even in position to be able to do, cap rules and all? Unless Harden walks? They'd have to shed $14M plus whatever Lebron is signing for as they would be hard-capped at the 1st apron.

Yeah I don't see him coming here with anything other than league min. deal or exception (if we even have one).

 

[tlance]

Isn't better to be upfront and let them know you are out (which Lebron knew before he went to Miami and LA) than just be coy about it and make sure you get to stay in news about what you want to do?

I would argue that maybe it isn’t.

The Cavs got to contend the last year of LeBron’s contract.

And then when he left in free agency, they bottomed out, rebuilt, and it led directly to a title when LeBron resigned.

OKC has managed to build a champion going the other route, but I can’t think of too many others.