LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

What similar package? What team is willing to accept two albatross contracts for a couple firsts that will likely be in the late 20's or so far out in the future the GM who makes the trade won't even still be with the team? The deal that sent CP3 to the Clippers at least provided some players of value like Beverly and Lou Williams. Sam Dekker still had some promise. But here's the kicker, they were almost all expiring except for Dekker (rookie deal) and Beverly who has one more year at 5 million after this season which is a fantastic bargain. Cleveland isn't taking back Anderson and Gordon. No one takes that package. There is no threat. Unless Morey has incriminating evidence against other teams (nude photos of owner's daughters wouldn't even be enough at this point to push through that kind of trade), no one is helping him.

We keep saying it will take Ingram to unload just Deng. How much more is it going to take to unload TWO contracts. I realize Gordon and Anderson have more value than Deng, but with that number attached to them, they are toxic. Also, because of cap holds, they need to unload PJ Tucker as well to get them both close to the max.

 

You keep getting static on this because you haven't created an actual scenario where this happens. Your concept is good, but it's too vague.

If LeBron took to Cleveland and told them, "trade me to Houston or I'll go there as a FA", Cleveland would probably dare him to walk. Getting to Houston would be an adventure for Morey to figure out. Paul/Harden take up 67.3 million in cap space between just the two of them. In order to get LeBron, they'd have to clear just about everyone off the books and/or waive their rights to Chris Paul and he'd have to take less money. It would be gymnastics.

And hey, if LeBron and Paul are willing to do all of that to end up together in Houston, then that was always going to be their end game and that's fine with me. Let's move on to George/Cousins. They're cheaper, younger, and would be great fits for the system. It would be easier for us to accomplish that end anyway.

 

“Always looking ahead”. Yeah, sure seems he is...

 

Can he ramble off the names of every player on every team like that? I remember during Linsanity Kobe didn't even know who Lin was. I don't think it's common to be that familiar with (ostensibly) irrelevant teams.

 

I'm not tell you to do it, I'm just telling you that's why you're not getting more people on board with your theory. Plausibility isn't enough for non-fans to join the cause.

The Paul situation was different because he could have signed in Houston as a FA which made the threat more realistic. In order to get James, Houston will have to gut their team up really good and dump contracts. He could threaten to walk to say Chicago or LA or Dallas maybe and use that as leverage, but then if I'm the Cavs I again dare him to do it. I dare him to go to a bad team instead of helping him go to a good one. That also brings up the point: how good can the Rockets be if they have to sell every asset to get to James? Is Harden/Paul/James and a bunch of minimum contracts going to be good enough? James has historically liked depth.

Again that falls under the category of "it was always going to happen" and I'm not going to worry about that. If stars want to take less to play together, we can provide a good backdrop for that but we can't make their decisions for them.

It's 100% easier in respect to financials. Convincing them to come here isn't necessarily easier.

Sorry, I was too lazy to quote and break it down like that.

 

The key to all of this has always been the Lakers second max slot. It's vital that they have room to add two max deals to the young talent. The four draft picks are going to play an enormous factor. Cheap, high level contributors like Hart, possibly Bryant, Kuzma, Nance if he's still here are going to provide depth that a team like Houston can't provide.

So if the Lakers go to LeBron and or George and tell them look we can add both of you to a fully formed young team that can add the same vet chasers... That's the ideal set up.

I don't think the Rockets needed to shuffle quite as much as they do now. I think it's the difference between dumping a couple pieces and dumping the entire roster. Again, if I'm Cleveland I say go for it. Let Morey gut his roster. If/when LeBron leaves he's going to leave a dumpster fire of contracts. I'm not going to facilitate a trade just to take back some bad pick. I'm sure Gilbert will want to parse the salary down so he's not paying luxury taxes on a bottom feeder.

 

Can he ramble off the names of every player on every team like that? Come on Real, of course he can't. He made a point of mentioning most of those young guys, he's not a fool.

 

The Lakers could also add those same players as well as the rookies they have. They could have a legitimately 15 deep team which could afford rest for their older stars.

Yeah I think such a deal would require third party dump sites.