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How LeBron Impacts the Jazz Thread

LoPo

LoPo

Well-Known Member
The speculation is all over the place about where this man might go. This thread is a place to discuss not only the speculation, but how his decision might impact the league, the West and even our Utah Jazz roster. For teams like Houston, New York, the Lakers, Boston, Golden State, or another to get him, they might have to make moves which probably include a 3rd team. We could get involved.

As of 6/12/18, here are the Vegas Odds for where LBJ is supposed to go:
Lakers 7-4
Philadelphia 11-5
Houston 5-2
Cleveland 5-1
San Antonio 8-1
Boston 12-1
Golden State 30-1
New York 30-1
Miami 40-1
 
Looks like I need to go place a hefty bet. In fact, that should be part of DL’s pitch:

Dennis Lindsey said:
Look, Bronnie, we can’t offer you the max. But what we can offer you is $2.50 and a Casio. Then we’ll line you up for an endorsement with Bonneville Communications that pays $400, which you can then take down to Vegas and place a bet on us and when you sign you’ll immediately get you $30M. But from Vegas, not us.
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I hate to say it, but if I'm LeBron, I'm thinking Houston:

- If he picks up his player option for next year (he has to do this by June 29), he actually makes a little more than he would in the first year of a new contract going somewhere as a free agent.

- After July 6, Houston could trade a 1st rounder, Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, Nene, Onuaku and another throw-in for LeBron. Some of those pieces would go to a 3rd or 4th team so Cleveland can get more assets.

- If Houston makes this trade, they could still re-sign Capella, Ariza and Chris Paul because they have their rights. They would pay a boatload in luxury, but what do they care? They have a new loaded owner.

- LeBron has always wanted to play with Chris Paul. And it's possible that Melo gets bought out and he can join Houston on some vet deal in 2018 or just wait until 2019. Melo, Paul and LeBron have always talked about wanting to play together.

- At the end of the day, LeBron can only try to match Jordan in the perception game if he wins a couple more titles. Well, he can't beat Golden State in pretty much any other scenario; Cleveland doesn't have the assets or players to compete with GS the next couple years, he's not getting on Boston's roster, Philly needs much more than LeBron to beat Golden State, the Lakers are too young, etc.

It pains me to say it because I hate Houston, but I think LeBron is going to go to Houston (as of June 12, 2018).
 
All those contracts total about $28M. If Lebron picks up his option, I think it barely works. I believe the trade rule is 125% + 100,000.

Another scenario would be to keep Gordon and somehow include Anderson. But I have a hard time believing there are ANY teams that would take on Anderson's salary with two years and $42M left. After getting Lebron, they can re-sign (or match for) Capela and keep CP3. They'd have the MLE, but the rest of the roster after that would need to be rookies and vet minimum players. CP, Harden, Capela, Lebron, Anderson and a roster full of scrubs. I don't think that's enough to compete with GS. Nor do I think Harden and Lebron can co-exist. They're both ball dominant players.

I think he has an easier path to the Finals if he stays in the EC with either Boston or Philadelphia. Boston doesn't need Hayward and Irving is already causing some problems with his talk about salary demands. The Celtics still have a ton of picks and they could send Brown, Hayward and picks to Cleveland in a deal (Lebron just exercises his option). Irving can be dealt to a lot of teams.

Philadelphia could sign him outright. And they could go out and find a PG if they're uncertain of Fultz.

LA if Lebron wants to be close to his son and be in the bright lights of the entertainment industry. Could even team up with George and CP3 if they all take a little less and LA trades or stretches Deng. That's a damn good lineup with Kuzma at PF. I guess they still need a decent 5.
 
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Jack Strop said:
All those contracts total about $28M. If Lebron picks up his option, I don't think Houston has enough salaries to match without somehow getting a team to take Ryan Anderson. In that scenario, they'd keep Gordon. Then they can re-sign (or match for) Capela and keep CP3. They'd have the MLE, but the rest of the roster after that would need to be rookies and vet minimum players. CP, Harden, Capela, Lebron and Gordon. plus a roster full of scrubs. I don't think that's enough to compete with GS. And I have a hard time believing there are ANY teams that would take on Anderson's salary. Two years and $42M left. You can likely buy a late 1st next year (and the year after) for $3M.
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Unfortunately, it works: Gordon, Jackson, Tucker, Nene, Onuaku, and Qi make $29.4 and LeBron will make around $35. The trade works: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23524190/lebron-james-houston-rockets-summer-here-how-happen-nba

The Rockets would be required to send out at least $28.4 million in matching salary after the end of the July moratorium, and a package of Eric Gordon, Aaron Jackson, Nene, Chinanu Onuaku, PJ Tucker and Zhou Qi would add up to $29.4 million.
 
If I’m Lebron I’m thinking Jazz, Bucks or another similar team. Bringing the first title to a second city (Cleveland) will make him practically a God in two major cities. He’s getting paid regardless.

Go for a first.
 
Houston is going to have to Sign and Trade for LeBron I think. To free up the cap, they're going to renounce CP3, Capella, Ariza, and others totaling $69m. Even then, its not enough for a Max. Basically LBJ is going to have to opt in then force a trade.
 
Stoked said:
If I’m Lebron I’m thinking Jazz, Bucks or another similar team. Bringing the first title to a second city (Cleveland) will make him practically a God in two major cities. He’s getting paid regardless.

Go for a first.
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Winning a title at 3 different teams would be incredible. Winning a first title at two different teams would be legendary.

I wish this were the case, but LeBron has a very real chance to beat Golden State right away at Houston. And honestly, who wants to see that piece of bleep Draymond Green wear a "I've got more rings than LeBron" shirt at next year's parade?
 
TheStormofWar said:
Houston is going to have to Sign and Trade for LeBron I think. To free up the cap, they're going to renounce CP3, Capella, Ariza, and other totaling $69m. Basically LBJ is going to have to opt in then force a trade.
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If LeBron opts into next year, all Houston has to do is trade those 6 guys. No sign and trade is needed. All that's needed is for LeBron to force a trade from Cleveland (much like Kyrie did) and for Cleveland to figure out how to get the most out of the deal. By that last part, I mean that they will find a 3rd team to send Eric Gordon so they can get an asset because they don't need Gordon. Same with PJ Tucker (if that's the case I want in on Tucker for sure).

Cleveland could potentially avoid the luxury, get a first or two from Houston, get a first for Gordon and get something for Tucker. Better than losing LBJ for nothing...
 
When LeBron leaves the Cavs will be in rebuild mode. Making Love available. Thaddeus young is reportedly opting out and Mirotic with New Orleans will probably be available if Cousins decides to come back. Julius Randle is a restricted free agent as well. That really hurts Derick Favors value.
Utah kinda lucked out with having so many options with Favors free agency timing.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Jack Strop said:
All those contracts total about $28M. If Lebron picks up his option, I think it barely works. I believe the trade rule is 125% + 100,000.

Another scenario would be to keep Gordon and somehow include Anderson. But I have a hard time believing there are ANY teams that would take on Anderson's salary with two years and $42M left. After getting Lebron, they can re-sign (or match for) Capela and keep CP3. They'd have the MLE, but the rest of the roster after that would need to be rookies and vet minimum players. CP, Harden, Capela, Lebron, Anderson and a roster full of scrubs. I don't think that's enough to compete with GS. Nor do I think Harden and Lebron can co-exist. They're both ball dominant players.

I think he has an easier path to the Finals if he stays in the EC with either Boston or Philadelphia. Boston doesn't need Hayward and Irving is already causing some problems with his talk about salary demands. The Celtics still have a ton of picks and they could send Brown, Hayward and picks to Cleveland in a deal (Lebron just exercises his option). Irving can be dealt to a lot of teams.

Philadelphia could sign him outright. And they could go out and find a PG if they're uncertain of Fultz.
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Simmons is Philly’s PG.
 
LoPo said:
Unfortunately, it works: Gordon, Jackson, Tucker, Nene, Onuaku, and Qi make $29.4 and LeBron will make around $35. The trade works: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23524190/lebron-james-houston-rockets-summer-here-how-happen-nba

The Rockets would be required to send out at least $28.4 million in matching salary after the end of the July moratorium, and a package of Eric Gordon, Aaron Jackson, Nene, Chinanu Onuaku, PJ Tucker and Zhou Qi would add up to $29.4 million.
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Yep, I revised my post. For some reason I was thinking 110%, not 125%.

Wes Mantooth said:
Simmons is Philly’s PG.
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Yes, of course. I think even with Embiid's salary, they could still sign Lebron outright...or pretty close. Redick's a FA, but they should be able to find a couple of shooters with all those picks.

Part of me is hoping Philly so he can **** block Hayward from reaching the Finals. Part of me is hoping Boston so Hayward goes to Cleveland. Ainge gets some championships, but Hayward doesn't. I'm not thrilled about the WC because that gives a clear path to the Celtics to the Finals.
 
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Jack Strop said:
I think he has an easier path to the Finals if he stays in the EC with either Boston or Philadelphia. Boston doesn't need Hayward and Irving is already causing some problems with his talk about salary demands. The Celtics still have a ton of picks and they could send Brown, Hayward and picks to Cleveland in a deal (Lebron just exercises his option). Irving can be dealt to a lot of teams.

Philadelphia could sign him outright. And they could go out and find a PG if they're uncertain of Fultz.

LA if Lebron wants to be close to his son and be in the bright lights of the entertainment industry. Could even team up with George and CP3 if they all take a little less and LA trades or stretches Deng. That's a damn good lineup with Kuzma at PF. I guess they still need a decent 5.
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He could go to Philly and maybe beat Boston, but they aren't good enough to beat Golden State even if they re-sign Reddick and add LeBron.

Boston is just too tough to pull off they couldn't trade for LeBron unless they traded Kyrie or Hayward which I highly doubt.

The Lakers could be an option, but Houston would have CP, Harden and Capella which is so much more ready to win than PG, Kuzma and Lonzo.

One more point to add for LeBron - people have always taken shots at LeBron for always staying in the weaker East. If he went to the West and knocked off the Warriors (4 time consecutive West champs), it's another feather in his cap.
 
LoPo said:
Unfortunately, it works: Gordon, Jackson, Tucker, Nene, Onuaku, and Qi make $29.4 and LeBron will make around $35. The trade works: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23524190/lebron-james-houston-rockets-summer-here-how-happen-nba

The Rockets would be required to send out at least $28.4 million in matching salary after the end of the July moratorium, and a package of Eric Gordon, Aaron Jackson, Nene, Chinanu Onuaku, PJ Tucker and Zhou Qi would add up to $29.4 million.
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And Cleveland wants $30 million of garbage why? Houston does not have a good shot at getting Lebron because they don't have anything Cleveland would want: young players and picks.
 
Jazz4ever said:
And Cleveland wants $30 million of garbage why? Houston does not have a good shot at getting Lebron because they don't have anything Cleveland would want: young players and picks.
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Remember, Cleveland ended up trading LeBron to Miami the first time because it got them a pick (better than nothing). This time, once again instead of losing him for nothing, they will get a pick or two from Houston, and then they find teams who want Gordon and Tucker. This is just a crazy example, but just imagine:

Cleveland gets Nene, Onuaku, Jackson, Qi, Houston 2019 1st, Jazz 2019 protected 1st, Dallas 2019 protected 1st
Houston gets LeBron
Jazz get PJ Tucker
Dallas gets Eric Gordon

Something like that. Dallas and our Jazz could get involved to take contracts from Cleveland since they don't need those players or that money. Both Dallas and our Jazz could/would have the cap space to take those contracts. In addition, Cleveland can turn Love into something valuable and get pretty close to avoiding the luxury tax.
 
LoPo said:
He could go to Philly and maybe beat Boston, but they aren't good enough to beat Golden State even if they re-sign Reddick and add LeBron.

Boston is just too tough to pull off they couldn't trade for LeBron unless they traded Kyrie or Hayward which I highly doubt.

The Lakers could be an option, but Houston would have CP, Harden and Capella which is so much more ready to win than PG, Kuzma and Lonzo.

One more point to add for LeBron - people have always taken shots at LeBron for always staying in the weaker East. If he went to the West and knocked off the Warriors (4 time consecutive West champs), it's another feather in his cap.
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CP3 is a FA. What if he teamed up with PG and LBJ in LA? That removes Houston from the mix. And that trio may very well be able to challenge GS.

Boston is an easy trade. Ainge is ruthless. You don't think he trades Hayward in a heartbeat to bring in Lebron? And he absolutely loves Rozier and has talked about keeping Smart. Irving has already said he's not signing an extension. I'll bet Ainge is already fielding trade proposals.
 
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