I was on Sports Radio 610 today with John & Rob discussing this very possibility. You can hear the podcast of it here: http://kilt.cbslocal.com/2010/06/27/dream-shaking-the-sunday-sportsplosion/
It was a while ago, back when Cleveland was still in the playoffs. It also makes no sense for Cleveland to S&T from a common sense perspective. They get a lot of cap room this year. Why would they fill it up with crapola contracts? The only way I can see them trading Lebron is if they get a Godfather deal. In which case, Lebron wouldn't want to go to said depleted team. There may be a team out there Cleveland may nod to a S&T to, perhaps Chicago with Noah + lots of 1st rounders. But certainly nothing Houston can provide.
The rockets have two significant expiring contracts....i dont see why cleveland wouldnt take those, for only one year, if they can get back some young talent with it. If they were taking back players who were overpaid with long contracts i'd understand, but what exactly are they doing this season without lebron? not much. The guy did everything for them, they're screwed if they don't do a sign and trade. Why? If Lebron walks they have three ways to get talent: Draft- Through the draft it'll take them years to field a competitive team and it's a guessing game as far as talent goes unless you secure a top 5, and event then it'll take time. FA - Whos going to sign up to come play in Cleveland? It's not exactly the hottest place to be. No significant winning history, as in championships, theyre's questions about the front office and who they're dealing with controversy, and the city isn't as attractive as a miami, chicago, etc. Not to mention they have no players that will appeal to others. No one is drooling to play alongside a mo williams or Jamison on that team. Trades: Their players suck, which is why lebron had to do everything himself. They're overachieving role players. One or two would have a good run, then go back to being average and then another two would overachieve, and so on. No consistency with the talent around Lebron. Who's going to want to take those guys? Even worse, who's going to take them while giving up good talent? Their best shot at rebuilding quickly is trough a sign and trade where they get very short expirings and young talent. That's Houston. Fans will go nuts if they let Lebron walk and don't get back anything significant or get buried in contracts for years to come. They've been teased for the last few years and taking along road back would be the worst thing for the fans and therefore the franchise.
And i forgot to say: the cavs said they wouldnt do a sign and trade to get some kind of leverage on Lebron. they want to make him believe he has no choice but to give up his 30 mill and make him think long and hard about leaving. For the team to say "yeah well accomodate him and do a sign and trade", it would basically be showing him the door and driving him to another team.
James as a player isn't the league's best. What makes everybody want to sell their moms to get this guy is because he is the league's BABY. So whoever got him would be heavily favored by the league (officiation etc).
If Cleveland was really convinced Lebron was leaving, why not do a sign & trade? Would they rather have him go to a division rival (Chicago) for nothing? Or do a sign & trade and move him to another conference (Houston)?
Who is the league's best as a player then? Is he a player who gets no hype, favored officiating, etc.?
I agree and then I disagree. I think James is the leagues best prospect. If you gave any team in the league a choice between LeBron and KB24 they would take LeBron without even thinking. There is no other player teams want, it is because of his ability to perform. He has a lot of potential and skill, unfortunately the line between those two is so blurred telling the difference is hard.
AT least right now, kobe is a better player (making clutch shots etc). While we all know that Lakers' games are also favored by the league, but they are nothing like Lebron's games. Just looking at those no calls when he travels all the time will give you some idea.
I agree he is the best prospect (as opposed to the best player). Otherwise, the league are wasting time hyping him. However, Lebron has remained as a prospect for 8 years. That being said, I'd love for Lebron to come to Houston simply because of the favoritism we could receive from the league.
I just saw a report on ESPN announcing that the Cavaliers will not sign-and-trade LeBron. That pretty much eliminates the possibility that he will come to Houston.
sounds like a negotiating position to me. They may or may not fold when push comes to shove. We'll see if they are more pragmatic or iconoclastic.
If the Cavs don't sign and trade Lebron is because they may want cap room for themselves instead of taking contracts back or they may be in a bad disposition and not want to help out Lebron with the extra $30M.
