LoPo
Well-Known Member
I could see a lot of this happening. But if Houston signs CP3 to a 5 year megamax and the Lakers and 76ers miss on get the big name free agents, where do LBJ/PG/Kawhi end up??
Before we get to that, we need to look at these two massive decisions before we can even look at what Houston or Philly does:
DeAndre Jordan's $24 million player option for next year. If he picks that up, and he should, the Clippers become sellers. If he doesn't, they actually can become buyers. If Jordan declines the option, the Clippers will pursue Kawhi pretty hard using Harris and the guys they just drafted.
LeBron James must decide by June 29 if he is choosing his $35.6 player option for next season. If he picks up his option, he can be traded. He could demand a trade. I see this being very likely because he could sell it to NBA fans that he wanted to make sure the Cavs get something back when he leaves (just like he did when he went to Miami).
- If LBJ wants Philly, they simply trade Bayless, the 2021 Miami pick and whatever else necessary. Cleveland probably demands that Philly sends Bayless elsewhere so they can save luxury money. I see Philly losing two 1st rounders in this scenario and Cleveland saves money.
- If LBJ wants Houston, the Rockets would have to trade Eric Gordon, PJ Tucker, Nene, and three other minor players to make the deal work financially. Cleveland would not take Anderson, but Houston could keep CP3, Capella, Harden, and even Ariza. The Cavs could either take all those players and make a run at the playoffs built around Sexton and Love OR they could try to find a 3rd team for Gordon and Tucker.