tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[gordontrue]

Ringless.
Just as they are now and will be a year from now.

Maybe. Maybe not. They're in a great position to get it done this year... arguably the best position when you account for being in the Eastern conference.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Relevant Amico tweet from 15 minutes ago:

WHAT?!

You mean to tell me that LEBron doesnt have a blow torch to David Griffins balls as we speak?! THIS IS BLASPHEMY GORDON! LOL. Havent you been listening to all the LeBron whiners and complainers? HES running the franchise! In fact- if today LeBron wanted to sign Thompson to a max he could- HES the REAL gm of course! who do you think executed those BRILLIANT ("desperate" lol) trades for Mozgov and Shumpert and Smith last year? LEBRON Who do you think signed Mo williams? LEBRON who do you think drafted Kyrie Irving? OBVIOUSLY LEBRON DID FROM MIAMI! LOL

lol...its just too funny.

 

[trojanfan12]

Completely disagree. LeBron vocally stating that re-signing TT is a priority tells us nothing about where he stands. For all we know, LeBron wants TT to compromise and come down on price. If LeBron was really demanding that the Cavs pay TT whatever he wants... he would've been signed weeks ago.

It can also be said that if Lebron didn't really care if TT were re-signed, the deal would have been done a long time ago and for a lot less than what it will likely be.

Lebron may not be involving himself directly in the negotiations, but he is influencing them greatly. The fact that he is publicly stating that re-signing TT is "our #1 objective" means that TT can demand pretty much what he wants.

 

[gordontrue]

It can also be said that if Lebron didn't really care if TT were re-signed, the deal would have been done a long time ago and for a lot less than what it will likely be.

Lebron may not be involving himself directly in the negotiations, but he is influencing them greatly. The fact that he is publicly stating that re-signing TT is "our #1 objective" means that TT can demand pretty much what he wants.

I hear you, but it depends on what he is saying behind scenes. If he's saying "TT should get whatever he asks for"... then, sure, it helps Paul's case. If he's just telling both sides to find a way to come to an agreement... then this is just classic Rich Paul negotiation tactic that has little to do with LeBron.

GM's come out publicly all the time saying that signing so-and-so is #1 priority. That doesn't mean they aren't negotiating with so-and-so or that so-and-so can get whatever they want.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

WHAT?!

You mean to tell me that LEBron doesnt have a blow torch to David Griffins balls as we speak?! THIS IS BLASPHEMY GORDON! LOL. Havent you been listening to all the LeBron whiners and complainers? HES running the franchise! In fact- if today LeBron wanted to sign Thompson to a max he could- HES the REAL gm of course! who do you think executed those BRILLIANT ("desperate" lol) trades for Mozgov and Shumpert and Smith last year? LEBRON Who do you think signed Mo williams? LEBRON who do you think drafted Kyrie Irving? OBVIOUSLY LEBRON DID FROM MIAMI! LOL

lol...its just too funny.

What's funnier is that you are gullible enough to ACTUALLY believe that nonsense.

IF that was the case he would have JUMPED on the 52/4M extension early last season.

Geez Wiggy, use some common sense (if you have any).


If it only Gilberts decision, Tristan would be playing for the 6.9M or minimum this year and then they would deal with him next year.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I hear you, but it depends on what he is saying behind scenes. If he's saying "TT should get whatever he asks for"... then, sure, it helps Paul's case. If he's just telling both sides to find a way to come to an agreement... then this is just classic Rich Paul negotiation tactic that has little to do with LeBron.

GM's come out publicly all the time saying that signing so-and-so is #1 priority. That doesn't mean they aren't negotiating with so-and-so or that so-and-so can get whatever they want.

That has EVERYTHING to do with LeBron.

Tell us who Rich Paul is without LeBron?

That's what I thought.
Nobody.

 

[trojanfan12]

WHAT?!

You mean to tell me that LEBron doesnt have a blow torch to David Griffins balls as we speak?! THIS IS BLASPHEMY GORDON! LOL. Havent you been listening to all the LeBron whiners and complainers? HES running the franchise! In fact- if today LeBron wanted to sign Thompson to a max he could- HES the REAL gm of course! who do you think executed those BRILLIANT ("desperate" lol) trades for Mozgov and Shumpert and Smith last year? LEBRON Who do you think signed Mo williams? LEBRON who do you think drafted Kyrie Irving? OBVIOUSLY LEBRON DID FROM MIAMI! LOL

lol...its just too funny.

Seriously?!?

First Lebron says:

"Our No. 1 objective right now is to sign Tristan," James said Thursday at Cedar Point amusement park. "He's a huge part of our team. Short term and long term he makes our team more dangerous."

Then he says he's "staying out of it."

The very fact that he's commenting publicly that signing TT is "our #1 priority" and talking about how much more dangerous he makes them, is pretty much the opposite of "staying out of it."

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Maybe. Maybe not. They're in a great position to get it done this year... arguably the best position when you account for being in the Eastern conference.

If it ends up "maybe not", like I expect...then it is a COMPLETE FAILURE and DISASTER IMO.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Seriously?!?

First Lebron says:



Then he says he's "staying out of it."

The very fact that he's commenting publicly that signing TT is "our #1 priority" and talking about how much more dangerous he makes them, is pretty much the opposite of "staying out of it."

Cav's fans are so fucking blind or in denial to the real truth that its frightening.

 

[gordontrue]

That has EVERYTHING to do with LeBron.

Tell us who Rich Paul is without LeBron?

That's what I thought.
Nobody.

Of course, RIch Paul's career is thanks to LeBron. But, when Bledsoe held out all summer last year... was that because LeBron was chirping at the Suns that they better pay up to Bledsoe. The Bledsoe negotiation had nothing to do with LeBron... other than LeBron being the reason Rich Paul has so many clients. Paul has shown that this is how he does negotiations.

 

[gordontrue]

The very fact that he's commenting publicly that signing TT is "our #1 priority" and talking about how much more dangerous he makes them, is pretty much the opposite of "staying out of it."

Meh. If he answers a question about TT with "I don't know if we need him. That's for management to decide" ... imagine the headlines we'd see today. Players are asked about free agent teammates all the time... and almost always talk about the importance of signing them.

 

[gordontrue]

If it ends up "maybe not", like I expect...then it is a COMPLETE FAILURE and DISASTER IMO.

Failure yes. Disaster is very strong , IMO... but hey, to each his own.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Seriously?!?

First Lebron says:



Then he says he's "staying out of it."

The very fact that he's commenting publicly that signing TT is "our #1 priority" and talking about how much more dangerous he makes them, is pretty much the opposite of "staying out of it."

you think any guy wouldnt say that if a major free agent wasnt signed on your team? If you asked Kobe Bryant what teams priority was if Gasol was a free agent- he would say- the teams priority right now is bringing back Pau Gasol.

Did you watch the playoffs? Thompson was arguably the 2nd best Cav throughout the entire playoffs. Of COURSe its a priority to bring back a guy that played his ass off and helped the Cavs over-achieve to get to game 6 of the NBA Finals.

If you would have asked me- or pretty much ANYONE in February or March- that if the Cavs lost Love and had Kyrie hobbled- if they would get to game 6 of the NBA Finals the answer would obviously be no. Tristan Thompson was a humongous part of what the CAvs got done last year- and he is only continuing to get better. In what world would signing him- (AFTER the Love deal got done) not be the teams #1 priority? I mean- once Love and Kyrie are in the fold- the next most important player in my opinion is Thompson- and he proved that over and over again in the playoffs.

 

[trojanfan12]

I hear you, but it depends on what he is saying behind scenes. If he's saying "TT should get whatever he asks for"... then, sure, it helps Paul's case. If he's just telling both sides to find a way to come to an agreement... then this is just classic Rich Paul negotiation tactic that has little to do with LeBron.

GM's come out publicly all the time saying that signing so-and-so is #1 priority. That doesn't mean they aren't negotiating with so-and-so or that so-and-so can get whatever they want.

Problem is, Lebron spoke publicly. This isn't Rich Paul saying that Lebron wants TT re-signed. It's Lebron himself saying it.

Like I said, Lebron may not be sitting in the room or playing mediator between the Cavs and TT, but the fact that he has stated that TT is the priority greatly increases TT's bargaining power and is the reason he can demand what he's demanding.

Do you really think this is still dragging out if Lebron didn't care?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Meh. If he answers a question about TT with "I don't know if we need him. That's for management to decide" ... imagine the headlines we'd see today. Players are asked about free agent teammates all the time... and almost always talk about important signing them is.

lol. exactly.

what you think he was going to be like "Whatever- the guy was the 2nd best player on our team during the playoffs- but whatever happens happens- we resigned Love to a 5 year deal- who cares whath appens after that?" lol

 

[gordontrue]

Problem is, Lebron spoke publicly. This isn't Rich Paul saying that Lebron wants TT re-signed. It's Lebron himself saying it.

Like I said, Lebron may not be sitting in the room or playing mediator between the Cavs and TT, but the fact that he has stated that TT is the priority greatly increases TT's bargaining power and is the reason he can demand what he's demanding.

Do you really think this is still dragging out if Lebron didn't care?

Yeah. I actually think that the more firmly LeBron was in either side of the camp... the sooner TT would get signed. The longer it goes... the more convinced I am that LeBron is letting them work it out. I'm just guessing, like all of us are... but its what makes sense to me.

Again, what he says publicly doesn't mean anything in the negotiation. What matters is what he's saying to the FO and Rich Paul and TT behind the scenes. Its not like he put out a press release... he was answering a reporter's questions... how else is he going to answer that question?

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Of course, RIch Paul's career is thanks to LeBron. But, when Bledsoe held out all summer last year... was that because LeBron was chirping at the Suns that they better pay up to Bledsoe. The Bledsoe negotiation had nothing to do with LeBron... other than LeBron being the reason Rich Paul has so many clients. Paul has shown that this is how he does negotiations.

Totally different because Bledsoe had nothing to do with HIS team or HIS deal with Gilbert (and please don't ever try telling me that he doesn't have one).

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Yeah. I actually think that the more firmly LeBron was in either side of the camp... the sooner TT would get signed. The longer it goes... the more convinced I am that LeBron is letting them work it out. I'm just guessing, like all of us are... but its what makes sense to me.

Again, what he says publicly doesn't mean anything in the negotiation. What matters is what he's saying to the FO and Rich Paul and TT behind the scenes. Its not like he put out a press release... he was answering a reporter's questions... how else is he going to answer that question?

His words/answers mean nothing because the fact that Tristan turned down 52M early last season and 80M if that report is accurate, last month, says it all.

 

[trojanfan12]

Meh. If he answers a question about TT with "I don't know if we need him. That's for management to decide" ... imagine the headlines we'd see today. Players are asked about free agent teammates all the time... and almost always talk about the importance of signing them is.

Players say that, but how many of them wield the power that Lebron does? That's the problem for the Cavs. Everything in the organization is about keeping Lebron happy. He could have simply said, "It would be nice to have him back. Hopefully, he and the FO can get it worked out."

Putting the importance on him that Lebron did, puts a lot of pressure on Gilbert, especially given that Lebron can walk after the season.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I hear you, but it depends on what he is saying behind scenes. If he's saying "TT should get whatever he asks for"... then, sure, it helps Paul's case. If he's just telling both sides to find a way to come to an agreement... then this is just classic Rich Paul negotiation tactic that has little to do with LeBron.

GM's come out publicly all the time saying that signing so-and-so is #1 priority. That doesn't mean they aren't negotiating with so-and-so or that so-and-so can get whatever they want.

isnt this bascially the same EXACT FREAKING thing Rich Paul did with Bledsoe last year? But LeBron was on the Suns- thats why the Bledsoe deal got done- Paul told LeBron to leave the Suns if they didnt pay Bledsoe, lol.

unreal.

Its a great point Gordon - RP did the SAME exact thing with Bledsoe last year.