LeBron Opts Out

[Squishypoo [enjin:6648839]]

50% he satys in MIa

30%He ends up with LAC

10% Cleveland

5% Rockets

5% Rest of league

[Porckchop]

Lebron could tack on 4 pts more per game if hes on the receiving end of Loves outlet passes all season long.

[Lipoli390]

I unexpectedly ran into a former NBA head coach downtown Mpls today. I won't identify him, but I can say that he's not to my knowledge working for the Wolves. I'm not sure why he was here today and I didn't ask him. Really good guy. I just said hello and identified myself as a Wolves season ticket holder. I asked if he had a couple minutes and he said sure. We chatted for about 10 minutes.

Among other things, I asked him about LeBron. He said that LeBron is very concerned about his image and has worked really hard to rehabilitate it since being vilified for the way he handled his move to the Heat. He said LeBron is a really good guy. I asked him specifically whether LeBron might sign with the Cavs. He said he thinks LeBron would like to play for the Cavs again and that Cleveland is the one place LeBron can go without any harm to his image. Not a great insight, but interesting to hear it from an NBA insider. He believes LeBron would seriously consider signing with the Cavs if the right pieces were in place. He said Kyrie Irving would not be enough.

I also asked for his evaluation of the top draft prospects. He said Embiid is far and away the best prospect. In fact, he said that every team has Embiid #1 on their draft board as a talent. He added, not surprisingly, that the physical concerns are the only reason Embiid won't be the top pick. He's not sure now far he'll drop.

He said that Smart has been knocking it out of the park in draft workouts around the League. He referred to Smart as having great basketball instincts and leadership qualities that you rarely see in a player that young. He lumps Parker, Wiggins and Exum together as very good prospects, but not in the same category as Embiid.

I asked him about a couple of the possible deals for Kevin Love we've all read about. I'm not going to repeat what he said now just in case his analysis reflects discussions he's had with the Wolves front office. Again, I don't know why he was here and I'd hate screw things up for Flip and get this guy in trouble for talking the time to talk with me.

As for my prediction on where LeBron ends up:

45% Cleveland - would require Cleveland to acquire a Kevin Love caliber player.
45% Miami
10% elsewhere

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think he ends up on the Clippers. Gets to be on the LA stage with CP3 as his no. 2 man and DJ protecting the rim behind him. A Griffin for LBJ sign and trade would work for both sides. Gets to play for Doc. Should be getting a new owner with 2 billion in spare change to buy a franchise. That lets Lebron know that he isn't afraid to spend money. As great as Miami has been for bringing in vets, LA is even better. The major unappealing thing about Kyrie/Love in Cleveland is that Lebron knows they aren't good enough defenders to win a title. He's not going to leave Miami without a shot at a title and the Clippers are right up there with SA, OKC and Indiana as title contenders. Miami is the only big 3 in the league so he won't have to worry about a the road being any harder than it is for any other team out there.

[Phenom]

Lip, would you say that we would like what the former coach said about Love trades, or not like it?

[Squishypoo [enjin:6648839]]

I unexpectedly ran into a former NBA head coach downtown Mpls today. I won't identify him, but I can say that he's not to my knowledge working for the Wolves. I'm not sure why he was here today and I didn't ask him. Really good guy. I just said hello and identified myself as a Wolves season ticket holder. I asked if he had a couple minutes and he said sure. We chatted for about 10 minutes.

LOL..Cool story Lip... Let me guess it was George Karl giving you this awesome inside info..

[Lipoli390]

I unexpectedly ran into a former NBA head coach downtown Mpls today. I won't identify him, but I can say that he's not to my knowledge working for the Wolves. I'm not sure why he was here today and I didn't ask him. Really good guy. I just said hello and identified myself as a Wolves season ticket holder. I asked if he had a couple minutes and he said sure. We chatted for about 10 minutes.

LOL..Cool story Lip... Let me guess it was George Karl giving you this awesome inside info..

;-)

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

If Cleveland is a serious option , and they need Love to make it happen, then the Wolves need to capitalize on the assets they get. Many on here have said all they really want for Love is the #1 with little concern over other assets. I have never agreed with this stance, but I fall even further away from that line of thought now. Love and Anthony are the only 2 players that could be added to the Cavs at this point that could sway James to go back to Cleveland. I would say there is a ZERO % chance that Anthony goes to Cleveland....just not his type of location. Love is the guy. This means I now ask for #1/#33/Thompson/Waiters for Love/Martin and any other depth players they may want. The reality is that Love and Martin goes a long ways towards convincing Bron to come back. Starting 5 of Verejao(or Hawes)/Love/James/Martin/Irving is certainly a contender in East. The rookies they would pick at #33 are really irrelevant in the scope of that type of team, but have value for Wolves.

This is one of those rare deals that may actually improve both teams. If Love enables the Cavs to get James, then adding even valuable guys like Thompson and Waiters to a trade is a no-brainer for Cavs. And for the Wolves, they have a chance to add a great player in Parker or Wiggins at #1, and also a couple established young guys to contrinute to our team right away. I wasn't thinking a Cleveland deal would work previous to knowing James may return.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

just going to leave this here

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

[Lipoli390]

Lip, would you say that we would like what the former coach said about Love trades, or not like it?

Phenom -- I think most of us would like what he said. No prediction from him but some interesting analysis on one of the possible deals.