Can't see Ron take the MLE if the Rockets offer something significantly larger. Houston might have interest in Varejao, but not at the price level he'd want. Gortat is better option. Most likely, Cleveland is a back-up plan for Ron (so is, probably, Los Angeles or Orlando) in case Rockets deal falls apart, and also a tool to be used as negotiation leverage with Morey (i.e. if you try to stiff me too much, I will take the MLE and go play elsewhere).
Portland are using their cap space on Hedo Detroit are using theirs on Gordon and CharlieV Are there any other potential playoff teams who can offer Artest more than the MLE?
If we end up with Varejao, imagine him and Scola doing synchronized flopping. It would be as if our interior defense suddenly imploded, and those two would bang the back of their heads together, ending up in an unconscious pile of flop.
Like Charlie Murphy (Cavs) told Leonard Washington (Rockets) at the World Series of Dice.........................."GET BUTTNAKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if i wanted to win a ring, id go to cleveland. bron + shaq + ron + mo + defense -> it's a wrap. now they will DESTROY the magic or boston. ron and lebron on the perimeter is ridiculous on defense.
Well the Cavs won't get Ron to sign for the MLE that's for sure. Ron could sign here and be THE guy or Ron could sign in that city the Rock HOF is in and be the 3rd no 4th no 5TH guy
Shaq/Lebron or No Tmac/No Yao...hmmmm. Lakers also courting him, its getting tougher and tougher especially if we are only going to offer the MLE.
Cleveland can't offer much. Good coaches are important to Ron (as he has not gotten along with any coach except Adelman). Mike Brown isn't a very good coach (despite his popularity contest award), and I think Ron would clash with him. Ron isn't so great when he defers (see: first half of last season with McGrady playing). But, if the Cavs do decide to get deep into the luxury tax for Ron Artest, at least it's in a different conference!
He is a unrestricted free agent. The Rockets don't have to dip into the MLE to sign him and can offer more money than anyone else.
Cavs can only offer the full MLE for five years not six, not taking into account they hope to use some of it on Rasheed Wallace, which an estimated 5.6 mill at an annual increase of 8%,and they still have the problem of a small backcourt. Ron can't play 48+ minutes a game anymore. Then take into account Chemistry issues with Shaq, Ron, and Rasheed on the roster. Now when Ron takes all that into consideration, do ya think clevland is the ideal situation for him?
We should let him go if we wants to go. Either way, I say let him walk. What is he going to get us here? Maybe a one and done playoff series and money tied into the cap.
What other player besides Varejo would we want from Cleveland in a SnT. We don't need Varejo, we need a backup center and a wing that can score. Maybe a 3 way with a team that wants Varejo.
