Jalen Rose: LeBron AND Bosh Knicks in 2010

[Andrew]

The Knicks' latest trades are obviously being done to clear cap room for a run at LeBron in 2010 but during the Hornets/Thunder game on ESPN yesterday, Jalen Rose claimed that both LeBron AND Chris Bosh are headed to the Knicks in 2010, citing unnamed sources. It may not mean anything, even tabloids cite "sources" but LeBron and Bosh joining forces in New York in 2010 would actually be feasible; depending on the moves they make between now and then, the Knicks are set to have a lot of cap room. The problem is, if they bring in LeBron and Bosh, they could still be left with a roster to fill.

Taking into account the players currently under contract, by the time 2010 rolls around only four current Knicks would still be under contract and two of those players (Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries) can opt out that offseason (Curry can also opt out this upcoming offseason). That leaves Chandler and Galllinari as the only current Knicks who would not be free agents in 2010, assuming they're still with the team by then. To really have a shot at landing both Bosh and LeBron and surround them with competent players, they'll really have to get rid of Curry's contract and avoid making any big, long term deals between now and then. Even with all the money they could offer, LeBron and CB4 probably wouldn't leave Cleveland and Toronto for a thinner roster so getting Curry's contract off the books before then is essential if they're going to be more than just LeBron, Bosh, Chandler, Gallinari, possibly Jeffries, maybe a couple of decent players through the Draft and scrubs. As great as LeBron and Bosh are, that's probably not going to cut it.

You also have to wonder about a Plan B, but I guess with that much cap room the Knicks should be able to do something and they could have another lottery pick between now and then so they're not necessarily putting all their eggs in one basket, but if they don't snag at least one high profile free agent in 2010 it will be a huge disappointment for them to say the least. A far better scenario moving forward than being way over the cap with difficult to move players, though.

[jonthefon]

Jalen's smoking crack.

I have a feeling that if Dallas has the cap space come 2010 and they make a sizeable offer to Bosh, he could come back to Dallas.

[Andrew]

He did have the air of a "quote me in June" forum post about it. I can only hope he's still an analyst with ESPN in 2010 and he'd held to it.

Dallas probably wouldn't have quite enough cap space in 2010 unless they make a few deals for expiring contracts in the meantime.

[jonthefon]

The thing in Dallas' favour is that they have a team option on Howard for that year, which can be declined to save 11mil. Dampier's final year only kicks in if he manages a certain number of minutes, and in the platoon center system, that won't happen. Terry's contract is abominable, they'll have to deal with that unless they manage to swing a deal. And Dirk may be willing to take a paycut by declining his option for 21mil if it means we lure a high-calibre player in Bosh or LeBron to Dallas.

[Its_asdf]

Jalen Rose is a dipshit. Pure and simple.

[Oskar]

It's possible that LeBron would go there, but I doubt Bosh will. I think Bosh will stay in Toronto, but I can't say I'm sure.

[Andrew]

The thing in Dallas' favour is that they have a team option on Howard for that year, which can be declined to save 11mil. Dampier's final year only kicks in if he manages a certain number of minutes, and in the platoon center system, that won't happen. Terry's contract is abominable, they'll have to deal with that unless they manage to swing a deal. And Dirk may be willing to take a paycut by declining his option for 21mil if it means we lure a high-calibre player in Bosh or LeBron to Dallas.

But then what about Howard? Do you give him up to bring LeBron on board or do you try and find a way to keep him? It's feasible but I think Dallas would have a tougher time getting LeBron, Bosh seems a more likely possibility. The thing is, if the Cavs and Raptors are in good shape and no one else can offer players like LeBron and Bosh big money and a legit shot at winning maybe several championships, I don't think they'll have much incentive to jump ship.

[Null17]

Wow. That's a bit of a stretch. But that would be a sight to watch.

[Skills]

I'm about 99.9% sure Bosh is gonna stay in Toronto. He said so himself that he loves the city and doesn't care about the money. I mean, he's already got his life set for himself. All that matters to him is happiness. That's where the .1% comes in. If the Raps keep losing in the first round, there's a chance Bosh will get fed up and want out. But I highly doubt it. Though a duo of LeBron and Bosh would be pretty sick to see.

[Andrew]

Agreed, I don't think money is a concern for a lot of the key free agents come 2010 since their current teams can pay them just as much as anyone else and I couldn't see them choosing not to. All other things being equal, playing for a team with the best chance of competing for a championship year-in, year-out seems more likely to be the deciding factor.

[Doobie]

You know I always wondered, would it be possible for all these free agents to take EXTREMELY small one year contracts to just join the same team and create a SUPER team. Like, do you think a group of guys would ever actually do this? It's far-fetched but it has occured to me quite a few times.

[Lamrock]

They would just lose to the Pistons in the Finals.

[Andrew]

You know I always wondered, would it be possible for all these free agents to take EXTREMELY small one year contracts to just join the same team and create a SUPER team. Like, do you think a group of guys would ever actually do this? It's far-fetched but it has occured to me quite a few times.

Possible, of course, but highly unlikely. Even if they'd accept a paycut - which players have certainly done in the past - they might not necessarily gel on the court. There'd also be a matter of agreeing on which team they'd play for and verbal agreements not being worth the paper they're written on, as the old saying goes. Consider what happened with Elton Brand this past offseason.

[jonthefon]

If they're not offering Josh a new contract, they'll definitely need some sort of verbal agreement first with LeBron. It's definitely a wet dream for every Mavs fan to see this:



Bosh appears to like it in Toronto, but if they keep going out of the playoffs in the first round year after year and Cuban gives him a particularly lucrative offer, he might jump ship back to his hometown.

Or we wait till the year after.

[Andrew]

I still reckon it's a longshot, I'd be cautious of getting rid of Howard based on a verbal agreement. I think it will come down to Cleveland and New York for LeBron, his remarks about July 1st 2010 being an exciting day aren't going to quell the Knicks rumours anytime soon but if Cleveland remains competitive I still think their chances are better than currently suggested. I wouldn't rule out him going to New York though but it seems to me it's between the Cavs and Knicks.

(Now watch him sign with the Pistons in 2010)