Good catch. Here is the wording from Larry Coon's faq. So you are correct, teams can not use both the Room or Bi-Annual exceptions. BI-ANNUAL EXCEPTION -- This exception is available only to teams that are below the "apron" (i.e., not paying luxury tax, or less than $4 million above the tax line). This determination is made after the exception is used, so a team below the apron cannot use this exception if doing so takes them above the apron. It cannot be used if the team has already used the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception or the Room Mid-Level exception. It allows a team to sign any free agent, starting at up to the following amounts: ROOM MID-LEVEL EXCEPTION -- This exception is available only to teams that drop far enough below the cap to use cap room, and lose their Bi-Annual, Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level and Taxpayer Mid-Level exceptions (see question number 26). This exception cannot be used if the team has already used the Bi-Annual, Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level or Taxpayer Mid-Level exceptions. This exception becomes available once the team salary drops far enough that the team loses its other exceptions, and expires following the last day of the regular season
Honestly... If LBJ comes over... Parsons needs to get dealt for a stretch 4 (like a bosh)... parsons off bench might work but who knows
So who gas read every post in this thread, just scouring for more information..NBA free agency is the best.
My opinion remains the same. Lebron is either going back to either Miami or Cleveland. I obviously would love to have Lebron wearing Rockets red, but just do not see it.
I don't see him going to Cleveland. I think that's romanticism. I can't see that happening. He already left that spot...if he's opting out of Miami it's because he wants more rings...and Cleveland has done nothing to show him that anything has really changed there.
me too... perfect fit... but i think he stays in miami if they can add some pieces and he and the others take paycut
that's why he's not going there...and he's been most outspoken on that. that situation won't resolve itself until well after he needs to make a decision.
I think we'll be hearing rumors about Lebron signing back with the Heat or with the Cavs or Clippers even after he signs with the Rockets.
Nothing against you Skip, but why do people keep using this to say that Houston is not an ideal choice? I agree that it's a legitimate concern (we won't get into the discussion of how close that series was), but look at what LeBron joined in 2010: A Miami team that went 47-35 but got knocked out of the first round 4-1 by Boston. Their "core" pieces that carried over were names like Joel Anthony, Arroyo, Chalmers, Haslem, James Jones, and Magloire. A younger Wade led the Heat to the East Semis, ECF and won a Finals with Shaq, but had since been knocked out three times in the first round. The other star he was joining, Bosh, never made it out the first round and failed to carry his team to the playoffs in 5 of his 7 seasons in Toronto. They had additional veteran signings, but they did not come til later. Now, compare that situation and core to ours. He would be joining established All-Stars in Howard (led his team to the East Semis, ECF and Finals) and Harden (contributor on a Finals team, but yet to lead one out of Round 1 as the main man). One star is in his prime, the other is just entering it. The complimentary pieces include young talent on bargain contracts- Parsons, Bev, TJones and including developing snipers Canaan, Daniels & Covington (though some may need to be moved for cap purposes). If we go the S&T route, we would be able to bring in additional help with the MLE. We still have weaknesses we need to shore up, but I'm confident Morey & Les can address those. Those outsiders saying he shouldn't join Houston because they can't even make it out the first round- were they saying the same thing about that Heat squad 4 years ago when LeBron joined?
There's this and this... ...but also, if not Miami, feel this. These "experts" and "insiders" mention Houston but always a "but" or I get the sense of an iffy feeling, as if he's not really feeling it. There's Houston BUT I don't know if he's interested. There's Houston BUT I don't know if that appeals to him. There's Houston BUT this... There's Houston BUT that... Of course, these are the same insiders who said all three guys would likely opt in. So uhh...who knows?! Miami probably, still, the odds-on-favorites.
It's premature to say that. Opting out is what the Heat want all the "big three" to do, and come back at reduced money so they can sign more talent. The key questions are: 1) Will Wade opt out when he can't hope to get as much money from future contracts as he will from opting in? 2) Will Lebron, Wade and Bosh be willing to resign not only for much less money, but presumably for roughly equal money. Are Lebron and Bosh willing to get paid the same amount Wade gets paid if Wade isn't capable of playing full time any more? Or does Wade take an even bigger paycut so that Lebron can make more, making opting out even more costly? 3) If the Heat offered to resign Wade to a longer term contract with less money per year, how much does that hamstring the Heat's future? A five year $10 plus million a year contract for a player who is already declined out of super star status, and may not even be an effective bench player in the final years of that contract? It might make the Heat real contenders next year, but what about the years after that when Wade is likely to decline even further? 4) Are the Heat willing to pay the luxury tax for the duration of Lebron's time with the Heat? Lebron said he was willing to consider taking less, but not if the team isn't willing to pay the extra luxury tax fees to make the team the best it can possibly be. No luxury tax means no Lebron paycut. The Heat weren't willing to pay it this year, and the penalty would start off high and grow quickly every year. Is the owner willing to operate the team at a loss of millions for his own entertainment? He can afford it if he wanted to, but you don't get to be billionaire by throwing millions away.
Breaking News: Lebron in limo with Les Alexander on his way to press conference to announce signing with Houston ...Chris Broussard breaks in Broussard: I've been texting with LuhBraaaaaaaaahn all day and at this point he is 50/50 on signing with Houston or returning to Miami. This isn't done yet folks. Stein: Despite reports that he will announce his signing with the Rockets in an hour, I'm hearing that Dallas may be the favorite in this thing. Shelbourne: Sources with the Lakers tell me they are confident that Lebron James will announce that he is signing with the Lakers to learn from Kobe at his press conference in Houston today. Simmons: Keep your ears open folks. Hearing that people in the NBA are scared to death that Lebron will spurn Houston today and join either the Clippers or the Celtics. Carl Herrera: Why did Morey blow it by signing Lebron when he could have had Lebron and Melo? CyberX: Whoa, hold on guys. Sources tell me this isn't done yet. Lebron James isn't a big fan of the Limo Driver's work ethic. Rockets may have to fire him if they want Lebron to sign on the dotted line. Spoiler
I kind of feel this Lebron to Clips thing if possible. Lebron wants to create his own legacy at a team. - If he comes to Rockets, there is always Dream - Bullls, there is always Jordan Clippers? NO ONE. He could take them to the promise land and create his own legacy. Plus, with Cp3, Blake and a respected coach in Doc, it makes winning that much easier. Added to the fact it is LA and a big market.
