Draft Lottery

[Handlogten's Heros]

If I’m Cleveland, I tell Houston to take a flying leap.

The only way I’d even consider a deal with them is if I get Capela AND a windfall of picks AND I legitimately think he might go to either Boston or Philly.

If LeBron leaves, I want him in the West until his career is over.

I get that buuuuuuttt.... Lebron basically owns a pretty prominent sports agency... if you get two unprotected firsts and Gordon with Anderson it isn’t as bad. I think Gordon could be flipped for salary relief... I’d take him for our unguaranteeds.

They might be able to come up with other salary... morey is a cap wizard.

 

[Coach Ellis]

I get that buuuuuuttt.... Lebron basically owns a pretty prominent sports agency... if you get two unprotected firsts and Gordon with Anderson it isn’t as bad. I think Gordon could be flipped for salary relief... I’d take him for our unguaranteeds.

They might be able to come up with other salary... morey is a cap wizard.

That’s true, but I’d make them do it without my assistance. Cleveland is in horrible cap/tax shape without LeBron.

If he goes, I make my pitch. Wish him well. Don’t facilitate a damn thing that doesn’t help me shed dead weight. Nothing Houston can possibly do or give me does this.

Let them try to find cap space to make it work. If I’m Cleveland, I hope he jumps to LA tbh. . . That fits the narrative that he prioritizes a big market over winning. Imo, there’s no way I’d make a deal with Houston to team him up with Harden and CP3. None.

 

[NUMBERICA]

That’s true, but I’d make them do it without my assistance. Cleveland is in horrible cap/tax shape without LeBron.

If he goes, I make my pitch. Wish him well. Don’t facilitate a damn thing that doesn’t help me shed dead weight. Nothing Houston can possibly do or give me does this.

Let them try to find cap space to make it work. If I’m Cleveland, I hope he jumps to LA tbh. . . That fits the narrative that he prioritizes a big market over winning. Imo, there’s no way I’d make a deal with Houston to team him up with Harden and CP3. None.

What does Lebron owe the Cavs? Serious question. If we're to view this thing emotionally and with debts, he gave them a championship. Straight up. He didn't have to re-sign, either.

If I'm them, taking on Ryan Anderson to get some late first rounders is an insultingly bad offer. If that is a scenario, I'm asking for unprotected picks in 2023 and 2025 when the Rockets will have likely burned through their assets and are no longer good.

 

[mellow]

Doesnt LeBron have a player option for next season? Why cant he simply sign with Houston ?

 

[NUMBERICA]

Doesnt LeBron have a player option for next season? Why cant he simply sign with Houston ?

They don't have the capspace.

 

[mellow]

Can't he sign for the Veteran minimum?

He makes 50 million in product endorsements. I think he will be able to make the budget work.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Doesnt LeBron have a player option for next season? Why cant he simply sign with Houston ?

They don’t have the space to do it outright. They have 77M in just salary committed... that doesn’t include cap holds for Capela and CP3.

I doubt he takes any kind of paycut... it isn’t about the money... it’s about saving billionaires money, power, and I’d be shocked for him to do what KD did last year.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

They don't have the capspace.

I mean, as I'm thinking about it, I guess they could renounce Paul's (and everyone else's) caphold if someone is willing to take less money.

Nah... someone will offer Capela a max early and his cap hold will sky rocket. It has to be a opt in and trade.

Lebron and CP would have to take huge payouts and there are ancillary reasons why neither will.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Can't he sign for the Veteran minimum?

He makes 50 million in product endorsements. I think he will be able to make the budget work.

Literally no one is walking from $30 million a year. I'm sure you know that.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Nah... someone will offer Capela a max early and his cap hold will sky rocket. It has to be a opt in and trade.

Lebron and CP would have to take huge payouts and there are ancillary reasons why neither will.

I amended my post after looking at the numbers. >$41 million committed to Anderson/Gordon/Tucker ensures it's not a thing.

 

[mellow]

Well, if he is all about winning, he would take the minimum to play on Houston.

 

[mellow]

The NBA is going to get him somewhere he can at least appear to challenge the Warriors. The NBA knows the league needs drama, tension, storylines and the appearance that another team can knock off the Warriors. Houston is ready made for that and in the huge Texas market. But if LeBron needs 30 million per season and goes to LAL the league will make sure LAL also acquire a bunch of players to ensure Lebron is competitive right away.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Well, if he is all about winning, he would take the minimum to play on Houston.

He’s about winning at life... there are some economic power elements of this that Lebron isn’t about.

They are close to having enough salary between Gordon, Tucker, Nene, and two minimum guys to getting it done. Close enough that Morey figures it out.

Gordon and Tucker likely get routed to a third team for some cap relief. A couple picks to Cleveland... without Lebron they are out of the tax... so they take on Nene and maybe Tucker plus some expirings.

Could find homes for Korver and Love to further lighten the salary burden.

It’s close enough that I’d say this is option #1 if he leaves. He also might stay... get his 5 year megamax... then force a trade later if he wants.

Interesting stuff.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

The NBA is going to get him somewhere he can at least appear to challenge the Warriors. The NBA knows the league needs drama, tension, storylines and the appearance that another team can knock off the Warriors. Houston is ready made for that and in the huge Texas market. But if LeBron needs 30 million per season and goes to LAL the league will make sure LAL also acquire a bunch of players to ensure Lebron is competitive right away.

They need more playoff games too... these short series make for quite a bit less revenue.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If they involve a team under the cap they can get it done. Sacramento, Chicago, Atlanta all may be willing to help.

 

[MVP]

Kokoskov is taking Doncic just to save him from misery of going to Sacramento.

 

[LoPo]

A.) You draft BPA and hope somebody surprising falls to your pick.
B.) You see what Kanter, Baker and O’Quinn decide to do with their player options.
C.) You get the commitment from LeBron, THEN you figure out the financials.

It’ll be easier to stretch Noah and then trade Hardaway, Lee or Mudiay + assets to make the necessary cap space if he wants to come. You don’t trade a top 10 pick to get off a bad contract on a whim.

The Knicks are not going to stretch Noah so they can pay him a ridiculous $8 per year for him the next 5 years. That's sacrificing almost 10% of the cap...

If they want LeBron, they should go after him now. There is no better time. Cleveland doesn't have the assets to build around him again any time soon. LeBron's legacy would get tarnished if he went to Philly, the Lakers, Houston or GS. The only move he has left which can build his legacy is to make something of the Knicks in his remaining time in the league. If he can get them to the 2nd round or further in the East while leaving them in a good spot when he retires, he has added to his legend. And if he could convince one more good player to join him there (CP3 maybe?), they could be a very interesting team come next April when KP is back.

The Knicks are irrelevant. Giving up the #9 pick to be relevant again is worth it. At the very least, the move frees up $18+ in cap space for 2019 even if they don't get LeBron this summer.