Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

[jimotis4heisman]

the real difference between the nhl and nba is that nhl does this all in one day, you become a free man at noon and guys start signing right away, not this one week crap. further, they do it on a national holiday. imagine all this going down in one day while youre grilling, drinking beer and watching tv?

 

[Bucklion]

Here's an interesting spin on the whole thing:

LeBronomics: Could High Taxes Influence James' Team Decision?

 

[Dryden]

So I've been watching some ESPN the last couple days, and listening to ESPN radio, and I guess there's some big news about LeBron. Anyone heard anything?

 

[ysubuck]

I just can't see Lebron having a one hour special on espin to say that he's leaving.
That's like a one hour middle finger to Cleveland and their fans. It's not like they are building the suspense for an hour before he announces his decision. They are announcing the decision in the first 10 minutes from what I understand. The other 50 minutes are analysis.

If he does this and announces he's headed to Miami then he deserves all the hate he gets.

 

[kn1f3party]

Alright, since you're asking for "updates!"

Latest:

Jonny Flynn wouldn't impact LeBron's decision.

Heat offering Mike Miller 5 year deal worth $27-30M.

 

[buckeyesin07]

I can't picture the Twolves just trying to unload Flynn. Aren't they always trying to get rid of Jefferson as well?

It's all moot anyway--Windhorst reported that sources say whether the Cavs get Flynn won't make a difference.

 

[kn1f3party]

Wasn't Miller offered $50M by NY? I understand guys like Bosh and Wade taking a pay cut, but they would still make half of that in a year. $4M per year is a ton for a guy like Miller.

 

[billmac91]

Alright, since you're asking for "updates!"

Latest:

Jonny Flynn wouldn't impact LeBron's decision.

Heat offering Mike Miller 5 year deal worth $27-30M.

Weird offer to Mike Miller...really weird. If that is legit, I'm thinking they don't think they're in the running for LeBron. Wade at the 2g and LeBron at the 3, and they'd offer a bench player that type of money when tjey need a starting center and potential PG?

Only thing I can think of is letting Wade and LeBron share the point and not playing with a "true" PG. Wade at PG, Miller at the 2, LeBron at the 3, Bosh at 4, Center ?

 

[jlb1705]

So I've been watching some ESPN the last couple days, and listening to ESPN radio, and I guess there's some big news about LeBron. Anyone heard anything?

 

[AKAK]

Weird offer to Mike Miller...really weird. If that is legit, I'm thinking they don't think they're in the running for LeBron. Wade at the 2g and LeBron at the 3, and they'd offer a bench player that type of money when tjey need a starting center and potential PG?

Only thing I can think of is letting Wade and LeBron share the point and not playing with a "true" PG. Wade at PG, Miller at the 2, LeBron at the 3, Bosh at 4, Center ?

And 8 guys making the minimum?

Here's a conspiracy theory.... camp James is betting heavily on Cleveland but leaking anywhere else to get the vegas odds on Cleveland down.

Broussard, if anyone actually listens to the guy is just pulling shit out of his ass... but, the minute the dude randomly (without even "multiple sources") started speculating Heat, the James crew reinforced it.

I mean, would anyone put it past Worldwide Wes? If James stays, he's screwed, so, why not get his that way?

Just a thought.

 

[buckeyesin07]

Weird offer to Mike Miller...really weird. If that is legit, I'm thinking they don't think they're in the running for LeBron. Wade at the 2g and LeBron at the 3, and they'd offer a bench player that type of money when tjey need a starting center and potential PG?

Only thing I can think of is letting Wade and LeBron share the point and not playing with a "true" PG. Wade at PG, Miller at the 2, LeBron at the 3, Bosh at 4, Center ?

Not to mention, how in the [censored] can they afford to pay LBJ, Wade and Bosh, and yet still throw $25-30 mil at Mike Miller?

 

[ScriptOhio]

The salary cap released Thursday for the 2010-11 season was just more than $58 million, about $2 million more than teams expected, and that extra money could be yet another free-agency edge for the Heat.
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Miami came into free agency with what turned out to be roughly $46 million of cap space, not including $16.5 million or so earmarked for Wade, thanks to years of avoiding just about any deal in which money would have been committed for the 2010-11 season.

2010 NBA free agency: Sources: LeBron James leaning toward joining Miami Heat - ESPN

OK: $46M + $16.5M = $62.5M How is that under the salary cap of $58M?

 

[jimotis4heisman]

The salary cap released Thursday for the 2010-11 season was just more than $58 million, about $2 million more than teams expected, and that extra money could be yet another free-agency edge for the Heat.
.
.
.
Miami came into free agency with what turned out to be roughly $46 million of cap space, not including $16.5 million or so earmarked for Wade, thanks to years of avoiding just about any deal in which money would have been committed for the 2010-11 season.

2010 NBA free agency: Sources: LeBron James leaning toward joining Miami Heat - ESPN

OK: $46M + $16.5M = $62.5M How is that under the salary cap of $58M?

min k's dont count against the cap.

 

[billmac91]

The salary cap released Thursday for the 2010-11 season was just more than $58 million, about $2 million more than teams expected, and that extra money could be yet another free-agency edge for the Heat.
.
.
.
Miami came into free agency with what turned out to be roughly $46 million of cap space, not including $16.5 million or so earmarked for Wade, thanks to years of avoiding just about any deal in which money would have been committed for the 2010-11 season.

2010 NBA free agency: Sources: LeBron James leaning toward joining Miami Heat - ESPN

OK: $46M + $16.5M = $62.5M How is that under the salary cap of $58M?

This is off top of my head but:

Wade - 16.5
James - 16.5
Bosh - 16.5
Beasley - roughly 5
Chalmers - 800k

That equals abot 55M

Leaves about 3M to fill out roster. Keep in mind you can go over the Salary Cap to sign minimum contracts. Also keep in mind a veteran minimum is different than a rookie minimum. Both are fair game.

If they can get Beasly off the books, it free's up some cash, but the Mike Miller offer still makes ZERO sense. He'd eat up more cap space at a position he couldn't start at. And Miami is going to want something more than a cave-man at center. I really hope this Miller report is true, b/c I don't see that as a good sign for them in regards to LeBron.

 

[billmac91]

min k's dont count against the cap.

They do count against the cap, but there's a loop-hole allowing you to exceed the salary-cap with minimum contract players. Again, a veteran minimum is far different than a rookie or second year player...

As an FYI:

First year in league - Minimum is 490k
5 years in the league - Minimum is 1M
10 years - Minium is 1.4M

But Miami could sign some veteran NBA players with some game, and just pay the minimum if they're willing to play for a championship, and they'd be able to exceed the cap as long as those veterans accepted the minimum.