It's not tampering for a GM to invite his own player onto a conference call. Obviously, teams don't like to include players in trade talks, because it can hurt feelings. But in the case where the player is demanding a trade (and losing them is a foregone conclusion), GMs are more likely to allow other GMs to talk to the player (especially stars on expiring contracts), as a way to assure the new team that the player is serious about playing for them, in order to help sweeten deals. Not following. The King has a no-trade clause. Why would Lebron object to giving Cleveland (and Morey) more time to strike a deal. All he has to do is trust them to keep their word that they'll eventually do a trade he accepts. Giving Morey more time might be the ONLY way he lands with Houston. Paul just gets on the phone to Lebron to say Morey needs more time to find a 3rd Team for the deal to work. Lebron has a no-trade clause, so he isn't going someone he doesn't want. Lebron gets the benefit of waiting for teams like LA/Philly to prove their worthiness by doing their Free Agency signings while he watches. Gives Lebron more time to convince players to do things he wants. Lebron actually makes slightly more money than the Max via his Opt-In raise %.
I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying that he'd opt in to give Cleveland time to work out the best deal they could for him, as in go to Houston, San Antonio, etc. and see who gives up the most.
It wouldn't prohibit LAL from acquiring him either. It would just mean that it would get done via a trade rather than an outright signing. LAL could send a 2nd round pick to CLE and receive Lebron. They have the cap room to cover his salary. In reality, they wouldn't even have to send anything back but the proposed scenario is one where CLE gets something.
I'm confused. I *did* say that. I'm proposing the possibility that Lebron Opts-in without a trade in place, with the promise by Cleveland that they will find the best situation for him, but need more time. And more time can indeed greatly benefit Lebron, too, per my list above....starting with Morey and Paul need more time to work out a 3rd Team trading partner, and if he doesn't Opt-in, Rockets pretty much cannot do a SnT, because hard-capping will hurt Lebron via hurting his new team. It also gives Lebron more time to assess how LA and Philly are improving themselves via free agency, without killing Morey/Paul's ability to make a trade. If you still think there is no way that happens, don't bother telling me again, because we'd be going around in circles....just re-read my posts for my response. no need for us to repeat ourselves.
HP is saying that Lebron tells CLE that he is leaving. They reach an agreement that they can wait and do a trade to the team of Lebron's choice. In exchange CLE gets something back. For example, maybe the criteria that CLE agrees to is draft picks and no salary in return. Lebron is still picking his new team, not CLE. I think that was the disconnect in your understanding of what HP was saying.
With the added benefit to Lebron that he makes more money via Bird Exception 8% raises. It's basically Lebron executing an old-fashioned SnT to get Bird treatment, that the new CBAs closed. Opt-in and trade when you are already at the max is a loophole to maximum contract length and raises that SnTs no longer have. Of course, Lebron will be facing Over-38 new contract rules, but he'll get the better raises, either way.
Kawhi has demanded trade to only 4 teams: Clippers, Lakers, NY, Sixers. Clippers are a rouse, NY can’t, Sixers maybe. No better deal elsewhere because Kawhi says so. Team that trades for him would need to worry about putting out if not one of the 4 noted teams. Ingram/Kuzma/Ball/Josh Hart were all first round picks. Josh Hart (17/18)...............: 7.9 pts.......4.2 rebs.......1.3 ast.........39.6% (3P%)......(Rookie) Brandon Ingram (17/18))..: 16.1 pts......5.3 rebs.......3.9 ast.........39% (3P%) Kuzma (17/18)...................: 16.1 pts.......6.3 rebs.......1.8 ast.........36.6% (3P%).....(Rookie) Lonzo Ball (17/18)..............: 10.2 pts......6.9 rebs.......7.2 ast........30.5% (3P%)......(Rookie) But here are the numbers they ended the season (17/18): Josh Hart (17/18 final 18 games): 14.1 pts......7.3 rebs......2.1 ast.....44% (3P%).......(1 yr in NBA) B Ingram (17/18 final 24 games): 16.4 pts.......5.3 rebs......4.9 ast.....49% (3P%)......(2nd yr in NBA) Kuzma (17/18 final 26 games):....16.9 pts.......7.3 rebs......1.8 ast.....36.6% (3P%)....(1st yr in NBA) Lonzo Ball (17/18 last 27 games): 11.6 pts......7.0 rebs......7.4 ast.....34.5% (3P%)....(1st yr in NBA) All 2 yrs or less......give them a break. Numbers per basketball-reference.com Here is a bit on Lonzo. https://nypost.com/2018/04/13/lonzo-ball-is-set-to-crush-all-that-hype-next-season/ Again, Lonzo for year: 10.2 pts/ 7.2 ast/ 6.9 rebs/ 1.7 stls/ 30.5% (3P%) For comparison, Steve Nash didn’t average double-digit points or 7 assists until his 5th season in th league. Gay Payton 7.2 pts/ 6.4 ast/ 3 rebs (first yr) John Stockton 5.6 pts/ 5.1 ast (first yr) Russell Westbrook 15.3 pts/ 5.3 ast/ 4.9 rebs. (first yr)
On what planet do you assume that any of this is beginning now? This has been in progress before the season even began. LeBron, Carmelo and Paul had "went as far as to detail individual matchups between that hypothetical Rockets team and the Warriors, surmising that he and the Rockets could take out the Warriors," Begley reported. Spurs have to go the same route as Houston and are an old team. They haven't been mentioned seriously for a reason and are more concerned about keeping Kawhi, ie instability and age. He knows he is leaving the Cavs and knows Philly and the Lakers are too young and he would have to carry them. What's there to discuss? He knows Houston, LA, and Philly inside out. At this point he has talked to players that will actually decide things and knows what he is choosing. That doesn't mean Houston but I think there is more than ample evidence that Houston is one of those choices if not the top one. If he wants that choice he gets to get a jump on other FA and moves. If he doesn't he is free to take his time but it almost guarantees he has picked the Lakers so really that decision is made up front. He needs to move early because in any situation he needs several moves to happen, not just him signing. Circumstances are different. In the past teams had to wait for him but his contract now dictates that they don't. He is either a Rocket by July 1 or the Rockets are chasing PG13 or Plan C.
