Who Goes To Miami?

[northernhoops [enjin:9491634]]

I think with Lowry and Gortat now turning them down, it's getting more and more likely LeBron leaces

[Lipoli390]

I'm really enjoying Pat Riley get snubbed by one free agent after another. Hope the trend continues. If so, then LeBron may go elsewhere. If he goes anywhere, Cleveland makes the most sense if a trade for Love is part of the commitment to LeBron. A trio of Love, Irving and LeBron would instantly put the Cavs in contention for the Eastern Conference title. But I still don't see that happening. I still see LeBron re-signing with the Heat.

[mrhockey89]

Although I agree the Heat should still be the odds on favorite for LeBron, if they come up dry in free agency then I think he jets elsewhere, because LeBron is trying to catch Jordan and he's not going to do that with an aging Big 3 and no support players ala Mike Miller/Ray Allen/etc.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I don't get what's going on in Miami, but it sounds like there's a chance LeBron might still leave after all. I don't get why else he'd be asking for the max. Nobody deserves that money more than LeBron. But he must know that even if Wade takes a pay cut to 12 or 14 he's still overpaid, and if Bosh signs at 16 that's also a bit high, and together, that still leaves little room to get decent players for that roster. And Ray Allen is probably gone, right? I think it would be tough for them to put together a better roster next year unless Wade goes down to 10, Bosh to 12, and LeBron to 15 or so. That would give them the cap space they need. Guys will definitely want to play with LeBron. But to get good players, they need more money.

It's not like LeBron can't make up that money in endorsements. If he gives up 7 million per year, coming down from 22 to 15 million per year, and gets a 4 year contract that he has the right to opt out of every year, that would give him the flexibility to jump ship next year or the year after, and he'd only lose about 7 to 14 million dollars. I know, I know, "only" isn't the right word there. But this is LeBron. He could just go sign a couple more endorsement deals and make up that money easily right? And how much more valuable to him would it be to win one more in Miami and redeem himself a bit? I just don't get why he'd demand the max.

What a crazy way to run a team.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

How about one more option Lip, who cares? Stop reading the Heat index.

[TheGrey08]

Gotta love it haha. Anytime a "big 3" has the possibility of splitting up I'm definitely in favor.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

They just don't have the cap space for more guys. Until Bosh and Wade sign at a discount they have 3 max deal cap holds that take up all their space and the only way to clear that is to renounce their bird rights which limits them from being signed over the cap or sign for discounts which gives them a new cap number. Lebron wanting the max means they pretty much have to keep his bird rights to be able to re-sign him. Wade and Bosh have to take discounts for the space to open immediately to be able to sign anyone outside of their exceptions and they aren't going to take a discount until Lebron guarantees he's staying which in turn he won't do until he sees who Riley adds to the team which Riley can't do without the cap space to begin with. They are in a vicious circle right now and can pretty much only work off of verbal agreements as things have to happen in specific order for the big 3 to return with help.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Kobe flying in to meet with Carmelo team in LA. Barf.

Seriously, just crush this league down to 6 teams, you'll get 30 or so superstars, they can be teammates, the networks can show all the games, it will be like NBA Jam. It really has become a laughingstock of a league (see latest Kidd move).

[Coolbreeze44]

Kobe flying in to meet with Carmelo team in LA. Barf.

Seriously, just crush this league down to 6 teams, you'll get 30 or so superstars, they can be teammates, the networks can show all the games, it will be like NBA Jam. It really has become a laughingstock of a league (see latest Kidd move).

The big market clubs should be thanking the Spurs for making it appear that everyone is on a level playing field. Fact is without them, everyone would know the league is a joke. The NBA has sucked since Bird and Magic came into the league. Coincidentally, that's when the popularity of the league soared due to the casual fan. Since then it's been the most orchestrated league in all of sports. If Minnesota didn't have a team I would never watch it.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Kobe flying in to meet with Carmelo team in LA. Barf.

Seriously, just crush this league down to 6 teams, you'll get 30 or so superstars, they can be teammates, the networks can show all the games, it will be like NBA Jam. It really has become a laughingstock of a league (see latest Kidd move).[/quote

That was my initial reaction, too, but the more I thought about it, I don't see that as a great team. Gasol would likely be gone to accommodate Melo's big contract, and an aging Kobe coming off injuries will not be the player he once was. Neither is Nash. Further, Melo has never proven that he can be a winner. I think that team would not be a factor in the West.