LeBron may be eyeing New York....

[Lamrock]

Well, the only way LeBron is going to stay is if we get more players. I don't see Cleveland picking anyone up, therefore I don't see him staying either. So if he's not going to be here in 2010, why not trade him now?

The funny thing about the Cavs is that they get like 20 million in cap space (not including LeBron's contract) for the 2010 offseason, right when LeBron expires.

[airBerlin]

The cavaliers are 25mil over the cap right now and LeBron James contract is only for 13mil.

So no, not really.

[Lamrock]

Hmm? Wally expires after this coming season, as well as Smith. Year after that Big Ben is off the books.

So yeah, really.

[airBerlin]

That's great? Joe Smith's contract is only 5mil, throw in Wally's and you're still only at 18 or so, assuming they don't sign either of them they're still 7mil over.

I don't see what Ben Wallace has to do with anything, seeing as LeBron will be gone as well. Maybe you've missed the point of my posts, but what I'm saying is they should start rebuilding NOW... Instead of waiting until 2010. There's no way we're getting a championship with the team we have and there's no way LeBron's staying.

I don't know, it seems really simple too me.

[Lamrock]

Didn't they come extremely close to beating the eventually NBA champs though?

I'm just saying that 2010, the year in which LeBron is to expire, is the year the Cavs actually have a chance to get him something.

[airBerlin]

Yeah, but by that time it's going to be too late. We were lucky we got him to resign the last time, the only reason he did was because he was expecting management to get him some players to play with. Now, I don't think the team we have is all that bad, but I don't think it's what LeBron was looking for. This, amongst other reasons, is why LeBron is going to be leaving.

However, let's ignore that and go with what you said. Fine, they drop both smith and wally. They're over the cap by 8mil. The next year they drop Ben Wallace and his 15mil salary giving them 7mil to work with. Well you want them to resign LeBron right? There goes the money you had to work with. So all you have is the same Cleveland Cavaliers team, except now you have no Wally, no Smith, and no Wallace.

Doesn't sound very good to me!

[Lamrock]

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

Should have done my homework. Actually, the entire team expires by 2010, giving them all the cap in the world. Should LeBron decide to stay the last year of his contract, the Cavs could use their 40-45 million on signing some decent free agents, or possibly two superstars and a bunch of role players and make something similar to Boston.

[Andrew]

Well, the only way LeBron is going to stay is if we get more players. I don't see Cleveland picking anyone up, therefore I don't see him staying either. So if he's not going to be here in 2010, why not trade him now?

But you don't know that for sure. You can believe it, you may turn out to be right, but it hasn't happened until it happens.

Cav's are lucky they got him to resign the last time.

Lucky? He would have been a restricted free agent coming of his rookie contract, they could have matched any offer sheet he signed. It was pretty much guaranteed he wasn't leaving Cleveland after only four years. Beyond that, they worked out an extension before that situation ever came to be.

[airBerlin]

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm

Should have done my homework. Actually, the entire team expires by 2010, giving them all the cap in the world. Should LeBron decide to stay the last year of his contract, the Cavs could use their 40-45 million on signing some decent free agents, or possibly two superstars and a bunch of role players and make something similar to Boston.

That link just further proves my point of why LeBron won't stay.

But you don't know that for sure. You can believe it, you may turn out to be right, but it hasn't happened until it happens.

Well, like I said, it seems obvious to me. I'd much rather take a new direction then watch something like that happen. Either they can rebuild now or they can start rebuilding in 2010. I don't see why they should wait.

[Andrew]

Because it might not happen. It's a possibility, but it's also a worst case scenario. I see where you're coming from but you don't just give up a player like LeBron like that. Speaking of which, I'm interested to hear your definition of a "solid player". Like I said before, I think LeBron for two solid players is severely undervaluing him as my interpretation of the term refers to players who are nowhere near his calibre.

[airBerlin]

Yeah, but even if LeBron would decide to stay, I think my version of the team would be stronger then that team when 2010 rolls around.

To me, solid refers to players that make the all-star team but come off the bench. Players that just barely miss the all-star game, etc. If I was able to work out a trade that somehow involved Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and LeBron James - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, same goes. Some trades would require more from the opposing team, some would require more from Cleveland. LeBron wouldn't be the only player I'd be trying to get rid of.

[Jackal]

You would trade LeBron for Jackson and Ellis?

How about Odom and Farmar/Turiaf? Hell take all three.

[Andrew]

Yeah, but even if LeBron would decide to stay, I think my version of the team would be stronger then that team when 2010 rolls around.

To me, solid refers to players that make the all-star team but come off the bench. Players that just barely miss the all-star game, etc. If I was able to work out a trade that somehow involved Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and LeBron James - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, same goes. Some trades would require more from the opposing team, some would require more from Cleveland. LeBron wouldn't be the only player I'd be trying to get rid of.

Fair enough, when I think of solid players I think of players who aren't on the level of a Joe Johnson. Still, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to give up a once in a generation player unless it was a much stronger possibility that he'd jump ship but that's just me. I think the speculation of LeBron moving is a bit overblown at this point and that the Cavs will have the opportunity to either let some contracts expire and sign a marquee free agent or make some deals to improve their roster. There are teams in worse spots than the Cavs.

[airBerlin]

You would trade LeBron for Jackson and Ellis?

How about Odom and Farmar/Turiaf? Hell take all three.

Yeah, I'd take two good players over one great player.

That's not even a close comparison, but I assume you're joking?

Fair enough, when I think of solid players I think of players who aren't on the level of a Joe Johnson. Still, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to give up a once in a generation player unless it was a much stronger possibility that he'd jump ship but that's just me. I think the speculation of LeBron moving is a bit overblown at this point and that the Cavs will have the opportunity to either let some contracts expire and sign a marquee free agent or make some deals to improve their roster. There are teams in worse spots than the Cavs.

Well, there are teams that are fighting for the championship. There are teams that are rebuilding, and there are teams that are somewhere in the middle. Cleveland in my eyes is one of those middle teams, and I don't see them winning a championship with the roster they have.

Just my opinion. :/

[GoHornets]

I don't think Cleveland can get a ring with its current roster either.
But I also think Ferry is not that stupid to let James go. He will improve his rosters somehow.

[BIG GREEN]

The cleveland 'Lebron James' have 4 spot up shooters..pavlovic, damon jones, sczerbiak and boobie gibson. They all just rotate in games as to who gets more minutes based on who plays well at the time. The 4 of them are players that just stand around and wait for lebron to pass them the ball....we can't win a championship like that. I say give them a jumpshooting compitition in gametime...and the two that win...keep um. The other two can be packaged with verejao in a deal for a "solid player".

Chemistry is a major factor in winning a championship. Even if this team can't make a move this offseason...going by their performance in the last playoffs...they will have a good chance to win a championship next year if they can build chemistry. Word is bond.

[The X]

you're right, that's part of the reason I don't like the Cavs, it's the way they play....shit, we all know Lebron is great & a freak, but he needs more help & less one dimensional players....you don't need that many spot-up shooters....how about shooter scorers that move well without the ball (Rip, Ray Allen etc)....I liked the addition of a guy like Joe Smith, good midrange shooter, but does other things....that's like say a Kurt Thomas, good defensive player who has spot up midrange game....I think Cavs need a bit more ball movement in their offence & not have to rely on the ball being in LBJ's hands all the time....you're right to want to trade Varejao, they don't need him & Big Ben on same team....keep one or other, then you got hustle defending big man, Z & Joe Smith....maybe add another young big to develop to come off bench....the right coach will realise that....

[airBerlin]

The cleveland 'Lebron James' have 4 spot up shooters..pavlovic, damon jones, sczerbiak and boobie gibson. They all just rotate in games as to who gets more minutes based on who plays well at the time. The 4 of them are players that just stand around and wait for lebron to pass them the ball....we can't win a championship like that. I say give them a jumpshooting compitition in gametime...and the two that win...keep um. The other two can be packaged with verejao in a deal for a "solid player".

Chemistry is a major factor in winning a championship. Even if this team can't make a move this offseason...going by their performance in the last playoffs...they will have a good chance to win a championship next year if they can build chemistry. Word is bond.

Yeah... Damon Jones...

you're right, that's part of the reason I don't like the Cavs, it's the way they play....shit, we all know Lebron is great & a freak, but he needs more help & less one dimensional players....you don't need that many spot-up shooters....how about shooter scorers that move well without the ball (Rip, Ray Allen etc)....I liked the addition of a guy like Joe Smith, good midrange shooter, but does other things....that's like say a Kurt Thomas, good defensive player who has spot up midrange game....I think Cavs need a bit more ball movement in their offence & not have to rely on the ball being in LBJ's hands all the time....you're right to want to trade Varejao, they don't need him & Big Ben on same team....keep one or other, then you got hustle defending big man, Z & Joe Smith....maybe add another young big to develop to come off bench....the right coach will realise that....

Seeing as Damon Jones didn't even play last year, really he only listed off three "spot-up shooters", which isn't all that much when they cover the 1 and 2... Yeah, Varejao needs to go, but I don't know why you mention Zydrunas when he needs to go as well. What Cleveland needs to do is get rid of both of them, move Wallace to 5 and pick up a solid 4.

[airBerlin]

When LeBron James leaves and Cleveland drops to the same position they were 10 years ago... Then I'll bring back this thread and say "I told you so".

Fair enough, but if they don't will you bring back the thread to say "I was wrong"?

Not here to say "I told you so"...

but...

I told you so.

Nah, all joking aside, I didn't even want to bring this thread back up after reading it. I know I made some bold posts and the prediction was pretty wild to begin with. A lot of my opinions since then have changed. However, I didn't think we'd win any championships (and we didn't) and I had a feeling LeBron would leave especially if that first part was proven true. Who knows what the team would look like now if a trade did happen, I can't imagine it being any worse then what we'll have this upcoming season though.