Of course we prefer Lebron but I think Clippers may have an advantage over us since it is LA, revitalized organization with a new owner, Doc Rivers, organization that has never won a title, etc. Think they can fit it in, if they moved Jamal & DeAndre Jordan, they'd be at 53 million. Probably could find a suitor for Matt Barnes, would bring them to $50 million for 2014. The cupboard isn't entirely bare for them, they'd still have Redick & Dudley. Need some size but they can pick that up in free agency.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ray Allen leaning toward playing next season, interested in continuing to play with LeBron James: <a href="http://t.co/dGN0n5HiZR">http://t.co/dGN0n5HiZR</a></p>— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/statuses/481529080916221952">June 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I've actually been hoping this would happen if Lebron came to Houston. I'd love to add Ray Allen to the team.
Hahahaha at anyone thinking Chris Bosh is a "star". Millsap has had a better PER than him each of the past 3 years... and no, Millsap is not "used" that much more than Bosh.... in fact this year was the first where there was any meaningful difference in usage rate between the two, and not that meaningful (Millsap higher this year). With the exception of a slight uptick in 11/12... the year the Heat won their first championship, but Wade only played 49 regular season games, Dwayne Wade's PER has been on a steady decline since 2008-2009. These guys aren't stars anymore. And it doesn't matter how many has been's that could be solid role players you surround them with, every time they face up against any of the current crop of Western teams, they will struggle. Hypothetical: What's worse? Option A: Lebron makes 9 finals, but only wins 2. 2-7. Option B: Lebron makes 6 finals, but wins 3. 3-3 Option A is a real possibility in Miami. Option B is probably a downside case if he joins any of Houston, LA Clips or Warriors (and those teams don't lose meaningful assets). I guess the real downside is he never makes it out of the West, but that just seems EXTREMELY unlikely.
Lebron's best bet by far is in Houston. Rockets have added a superstar each of the past 2 years, and have a proven track record of making meaningful additions through draft, free agency, or trade.
Jacob Collins (Brooklyn) Is Bill Simmons right? That it wouldn't be hard for the Clippers to unload the contracts of Deandre Jordan (MIP candidate) Jamal Crawford (reigning sixth man of the year with a team opt clause in contract) and Jared Dudley (can be packaged with Reggie Bullock or a future first) to make a run at LeBron... Tom Haberstroh (3:36 PM) They can do it. Shedding DJ's salary is a hayooge gamble, however, considering LeBron's no lock to go there. If he decides to go back to Miami ... ------------------------------------------ Chris Palmer is going crazy with the idea.... Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA · 2m Very difficult to impossible, yes. But it's fun to dream about super teams. Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA . 12m After Collison, Granger, Davis opt out, putting together a trade package w/Jordan & others could make Bron/Melo (w/paycuts) in LA feasible. Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA · 25m If Clips can roll out a lineup of CP3, LeBron, Melo and Griffin they need to move mountains to get it done.
Clippers interested in making a run at LeBron James With LeBron James' pending free agency, even the Clippers are considering ways to create space on their roster for the superstar. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images) By Broderick Turner contact the reporter ▼ #Clippers believe LeBron James will return to Miami but they're looking at possible moves to get him to L.A. June 24, 2014, 2:33 PM The Clippers, like so many NBA teams, have had discussions about a contingency plan on how to acquire LeBron James after the All-Star forward informed the Miami Heat on Tuesday that he was opting out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.. But just like all those NBA teams that would like to get James, the Clippers also believe that he’ll re-sign with the Heat. That was the thinking of several NBA officials who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. 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. The Clippers wouldn’t mind trading DeAndre Jordan, Jamal Crawford and either Barnes or Dudley to the Heat for James, but the team knows that would most likely be hard to do. One official said James really liked Rivers and was good friends with Clippers point guard Chris Paul. Another official said James’ wife, Savannah, really loved Los Angeles, and that her preference would be for her husband to play for the Clippers rather than the Lakers if he decided to leave. James, who had two years and about $42.7 million left on his contract before exercising his early termination option, can get a maximum five-year deal worth $127.7 million from the Heat. “The Miami Heat does not think he’s leaving,” one official said. “Miami thinks it’s a ploy by James to make the team better.” The Clippers also haven’t ruled out making a run at Carmelo Anthony, who opted out of his contract with the New York Knicks and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, the officials said. Another NBA official said that Steve Ballmer, who has agreed to pay $2 billion to buy the Clippers from Donald and Shelly Sterling in a deal that isn’t official yet, would be willing to “pay the luxury tax” if he was able to acquire James or Anthony. But in the end, the Clippers expect James to return to the Heat. http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-clippers-lebron-james-20140624-story.html
I find it hilarious that we are in the day where the Clippers are apart of these rumors rather than the Lakers who are being shunned with Kobe sitting there for another 2 years.
LeBron James Speaking with LA Realtor Posted about 7 hours ago | 2 comments <National Report>Los Angeles, CA–Rumors have been swirling about the fate of LeBron “King” James following his epic loss in the NBA Finals at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. The Associated Press is reporting today that Rich Paul, James’ agent, has informed the Heat head office that James will in fact seek free agency by opting out of the final two years of his contract. While opting out of his contract does not necessarily mean James will leave the Heat, other indicators suggest he may be heading to the Los Angeles area to pursue opportunities with either the Lakers or Clippers (or his budding rap career). Sotheby’s agent Paul Horner spoke with National Report and has confirmed that James is seeking real estate in the greater Los Angeles area. James contacted Horner last week and made arrangements to view properties in the area. James has also allegedly been in contact with private schools in the posh Holmby Hills suburb for his two children. “LeBron is in a tough place,” a source close to James stated. “He has been carrying the Heat almost singlehandedly since arriving in Miami and he feels let down by the poor support received by the other members of the so called “Dream Team”. Bosh has had an alright season, but Wade has been playing at a sub-par level with no signs of recovery. When you are one of the greatest players to ever hit the court you are in a position to demand the kind of excellence that James is hoping to find in LA.” James famously left the Cleveland Caveliers in 2010 to join the Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade in pursuit of championship rings. The Heat made it to the finals in all 4 seasons of James’ tenure, winning two of the four. Representatives with both the Lakers and Clippers declined comment. - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/lebron-james-coming-la/#sthash.lmRy0n1O.dpuf
Ha. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p>San Antonio billboard takes final shot <a href="http://t.co/f6FUFqj6qW">pic.twitter.com/f6FUFqj6qW</a> (via <a href="https://twitter.com/AndreaDuke15">@AndreaDuke15</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DigitalOutdoor">@DigitalOutdoor</a>)</p>— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/statuses/481594328939102208">June 25, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It can technically happen if Lebron and Melo sign for MLE and Veterans Min. Not likely, but it can happen. Blake Griffin can loan those guys some lunch money if they need it. Lebron buying a house in LA doesn't necessarily mean he will sign with an LA team. A ton of NBA stars live in LA in the offseason anyway. But if Lebron really wanted to move his kids into private school near Beverly Hills as the article indicates, he may want to live in LA during the NBA season too. He pretty much can tell the Heat that he's going to sign a max deal with the Lakers unless the Heat trade him to the Clippers for Deandre, Jamal Crawford, and Jared Dudley.
Guess this has to happen to make Lebron happy: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sources: Heat aggressively trying to move up in draft. Target is Shabazz Napier. LeBron thinks he’s best PG in the draft & Heat need a PG</p>— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/statuses/481831090739748864">June 25, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
How can the Heat possibly move up in the draft? "Yeah, it's Micky again. No, just one martini today so far -- I'm all business, In fact I've got a deal for you. Listen: I have three vintage towels, unwashed, that absorbed Shane Battier's sweat. That's Mr. Intangibles, as you know, and ... hello? Hello?"
Ha! The Heat have nothing to trade for. Unless they try to trade their 2025 and 2027 first round picks- I don't see how they move up without giving up a member of the Big 3.
