Woj: "CP3 has his focus on recruiting LeBron (to HOU) as much anything he's done in this league."

If a team is in the luxury tax, sign and trades hardcaps them. We CAN sign and trade with Cleveland to give LeBron a new contract, but it'll severely limit our ability to retain our free agents. The smarter route would be to have LBJ opt in and get traded here so he can re-negotiate a new deal the following season. Essentially, he'd follow the CP3 blueprint to a t.

And yes, this all has to happen before the 29th. If LeBron wants to be a Rocket, he needs to waive his rights to meet with other teams during Free Agency.

 

Thank you that makes sense

 

[Wojnarowski] LeBron James' decision during free agency "not going to be a quick decision"

 

does not work in our favor at all basically

 

Here is the deal. It's a lot easier for Lebron to join CP3 in Houston vs CP3 going to Lakers with Lebron.

LeBron doesn't care about which city went he wants to chase rings. Winning in LA or Houston is the same to his legacy. Actually Houston would be better as he won't be compared to Kobe.

 

No kidding!

 

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If this is correct, it's basically saying he will not do an opt-in (or the opt-in and trade) and will actually become a free agent. Which also seems to mean he's not entirely sold on staying inCleveland. Is there any way we can acquire him if he actually becomes a free agent?

 

Let me re-iterate that while the opt-in and trade is the most feasible scenario it is NOT the only scenario.

Scenario 2:
James harden (30.422 million)
Eric Gordon (13.50 million)
PJ Tucker (8 million)
Chinanu Onuaku (1.545 million)
Zhou Qi (1.38 million)
Incomplete roster charges (x7) 5.824
Clint Capela Cap Hold (7 million)
Luc Mbah a Moute (1.545 million)

renounce Ariza and all other free agents EXCEPT CP3. Ignore his cap hold for just a moment. Trade Ryno and Nene to other teams cap space.

This would give you about $30 million for CP3 and and Lebron to split.

(note: all of this was done quickly without a calculator so I'm estimating)

If it's true that Eric Gordon really wants out you could by yourself another $12 million.

It's CONCEIVABLE if everyone plays ball (meaning Capela doesn't sign a contract and CP3 will sign for a discount) that you could sign Lebron in outright free agency if he's willing to take a paycut.

Is this plausible? Not really in my opinion because it would need Lebron and CP3 to split between $30 and $40 million when they are entitled to north of $60. It's POSSIBLE though.

If Paul were willing to take a one year $15 million deal you could absolutely create the cap space to sign Lebron with the same mechanisms you would have needed to trade for him. (paying teams to absorb contracts) As for this gutting the team, Gordon is probably gone in any Lebron trade and Ariza is a question mark.

I'm not endorsing this scenario just showing that ultimately if Lebron wants to come to Houston it's possible after the opt out/opt in but it's extremely unlikely. The biggest issue to me is that 33 year old Chris Paul with injury history would have to take a big paycut for a year and risk losing a lot of money. The over 38 rule would hit him next offseason I believe so he'd have issues there. I think that's why it's extremely unlikely.

 

Uhhhhhhhhh, when did this happen?

 

What would a team look like in this scenario?

James Harden (30 million)
Lebron James (20 million)
Clint Capela (whatever he ultimately signed for using bird rights)
Chris Paul (20 million)
PJ Tucker (8 million)
Luc Mbah a Moute (around 2 million signed using non bird rights)
Chinanu Onuaku (1.54 million)
Zhou Qi (1.38 million)
Gerald Green (signed for the veteran's minimum after renouncing his rights)
random player signed with the room exception, maybe Deadmon
2 other veteran minimum guys, maybe Jameer finally gets on board

CP3/Jameer Nelson
Harden/Luc/Gerald Green
Lebron/Luc/Gerald Green
PJ Tucker/pray for rain
Capela/Deadmon

So there you have it, a way to get Lebron without opt-in trade. Not realistic in my opinion, but at least technically possible. Lebron and CP3 contracts could vary depending on what they wanted to do and could go up a million or so if you dumped other salary.

 

Remember last year that CP3 was reported to have plans to meet with Spurs, Rockets, Clippers, Boston, and maybe more. Then June 28th rolled around....

 

Even worse, it was reported that CP3 had opted out.

 

EG wants out?

 

I have no idea...

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php...insane-off-season.291305/page-5#post-11800150

 

That’s news to me as well

 

Someone mentioned that EG could be looking for a bigger role and more usage. Trying to get a nice payday next summer

 

TBH... I don't mind losing EG for the right piece. He has some diva tendencies on the court and if this is true... I can see the team isolating EG or taking sides. Has the potential to get toxic if things aren't going good early next season... Imagine a CP injury, EG feuding with players, freak injury that derails season. I like EG but if he's not happy, I'd rather ship him away early than hold onto him.

 

EG tweeted excitement over the Astros walk-off win last night.

He had a down year from 3.. hoping he can get back to near 38% with better shot selection.

You only trade EG if it involves getting a material upgrade

 

Yep, i agree and 100% think we could've won with a healthy CP3 when up 3/2. Tough to win when we loose a leader and going against 4 all stars and the fu*cking refs.

Steven Ass Smith can go suck one.. this is also the same as*hole that kept saying we don't stand a chance against the warriors. Never seen an as*hole that flip & flop every time he speaks. All of the so called sports analyst are the same. Nick Wright was probably the only one that actually speaks based on what he sees not like the rest of the clowns that still bring up Harden can't play defense crap and old talking topics when it comes to talking about the rockets and even when we have the best record.

 

They’d probably end up betting favorites but I’m not sure they’d be favorites. Shooting would be an issue in my mind