This seems like great info. This must be why Wade is in Vegas ready to pitch LeBron, because he already has his blessing.

That Vegas meet was two nights ago to be fair. But now he's meeting with Riley today.

NYDN - Frank Isola Here are a few interesting things to take from this article. Nothing entirely new to share at this point though.

 

There is growing belief that Phil Jackson is open to signing-and-trading Carmelo Anthony for an asset back. Phil Jackson has maintained a close relationship with Bulls vice president John Paxson.

 

The fact that Anthony has delayed his decision suggests that money is not his only motive. “If it was just about money he would have made a decision days ago,” said a person close to Anthony. “It’s not that simple.”

@Chris_Broussard: In addition to Pat Riley, it is believed Miami's Erik Spoelstra, Mickey Arison and Dwyane Wade will attend today's meeting with LeBron James

 

The best part of the FA frenzy is the hilarious contract given to McBob and the collective BJ he's getting as a supposedly good player. Let's all remember that last year was his best year ever and he scored 8.5 points, 4.8 boards, and 4.3 assists (woo!) on 43% shooting (36% 3PT). Only in the NBA does a guy who has peaked with those numbers, has unexceptional size and athleticism, and has already played for 5 teams get a 4yr/$23M contract

The best part of the FA frenzy is the hilarious contract given to McBob and the collective BJ he's getting as a supposedly good player. Let's all remember that last year was his best year ever and he scored 8.5 points, 4.8 boards, and 4.3 assists (woo!) on 43% shooting (36% 3PT). Only in the NBA does a guy who has peaked with those numbers, has unexceptional size and athleticism, and has already played for 5 teams get a 4yr/$23M contract

 

36% from 3 for a big dude is pretty good. I think his role is going to be Bosh-lite - hang out on the perimeter, stretch the D to give Lebron a lane and hit open 3's. He can also pass the ball really well. 4.3 assists on a crap team is impressive.

 

It's also entirely possible that was all a fluke and he's a bust for them. I'm cool with that.

Chris Sheridan says there's a 90% chance Lebron lands in Cleveland

Edited July 9, 201411 yr by Buehrle>Wood

BTW, did anyone listen to the Simmons/Lowe podcast from yesterday? Simmons made the argument that in his opinion all of the Lakers stuff with Melo is just negotiating ploy so that New York would do a sign and trade with the Bulls. Without the Lakers the Knicks could pretty easily call Melo's bluff that he wants to leave since he'd be leaving a ton of money (what, like 30 million or so?) on the table. But the difference with the sign and trade with the Lakers isn't nearly as much and is much more "acceptable." Thus, the Knicks really could lose Melo for nothing, so they may be enticed by what the Bulls can offer them: Boozer + 2 first round picks. They had some examples of what 1st round picks were going for in terms of taking on contracts and Boozer's 16-17 million was really pretty reasonable. For a team with no picks in the coming seasons.

The best part of the FA frenzy is the hilarious contract given to McBob and the collective BJ he's getting as a supposedly good player. Let's all remember that last year was his best year ever and he scored 8.5 points, 4.8 boards, and 4.3 assists (woo!) on 43% shooting (36% 3PT). Only in the NBA does a guy who has peaked with those numbers, has unexceptional size and athleticism, and has already played for 5 teams get a 4yr/$23M contract

 

To be fair, he's very athletic for a 6'10 kid, and has exceptional passing ability. The downside is he's an athletic 6'10 kid that plays like a SF.

 

This is the same NBA where Gordon Hayward might be getting a max deal, while Lance Stephenson is fighting for 12M.

Cleveland just traded Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller and a Russian dude to dump cap space.

Cleveland just traded Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller and a Russian dude to dump cap space.

 

Boston got ANOTHER pick out of it. I think that's 10 picks in the next 4 drafts.

Boston got ANOTHER pick out of it. I think that's 10 picks in the next 4 drafts.

The way Danny Ainge has been able to stockpile draft picks has been impressive

BTW, did anyone listen to the Simmons/Lowe podcast from yesterday? Simmons made the argument that in his opinion all of the Lakers stuff with Melo is just negotiating ploy so that New York would do a sign and trade with the Bulls. Without the Lakers the Knicks could pretty easily call Melo's bluff that he wants to leave since he'd be leaving a ton of money (what, like 30 million or so?) on the table. But the difference with the sign and trade with the Lakers isn't nearly as much and is much more "acceptable." Thus, the Knicks really could lose Melo for nothing, so they may be enticed by what the Bulls can offer them: Boozer + 2 first round picks. They had some examples of what 1st round picks were going for in terms of taking on contracts and Boozer's 16-17 million was really pretty reasonable. For a team with no picks in the coming seasons.

Yeah, I listened and it sounded like they both felt the Bulls were in it (Simmons predicted Melo to the Bulls at the end). They both talked about how scary the Bulls team looks with Melo. I was getting pretty excited about the whole thing, although I knew to take it with a grain of salt.

 

They made an interesting point about Lebron getting Rich Paul's name out there because he is invested in the agency. That's a really interesting angle that I never thought of with the whole Cleveland thing.

To be fair, he's very athletic for a 6'10 kid, and has exceptional passing ability. The downside is he's an athletic 6'10 kid that plays like a SF.

 

This is the same NBA where Gordon Hayward might be getting a max deal, while Lance Stephenson is fighting for 12M.

He definitely has hops, but his lateral quickness isn't all that great. If he had good lateral quickness there wouldn't be as much downside to a 6'10 kid that plays SF.

Edited July 9, 201411 yr by Boogua

It sounds a whole hell of a lot like CLE at least believes they are in it for LBJ. They're going to feel pretty down if it doesn't work out again

The difference between Gordon Hayward and Lance is that UTah has vowed to match all offers whereas the Pacers quite clearly are strapped. They cannot go into the luxury tax, well, they could, but again they only made 7 million last year.

Cleveland just traded Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller and a Russian dude to dump cap space.

 

s***'s getting real.

It sounds a whole hell of a lot like CLE at least believes they are in it for LBJ. They're going to feel pretty down if it doesn't work out again

They think they have him for sure. Unless something crazy happens they think its over and will be announced fairly quickly.

To be fair, there are worse things in life than not having to pay Jarrett Jack $6million.

To be fair, there are worse things in life than not having to pay Jarrett Jack $6million.

 

Like paying Channing Frye $8 million?

I'd be really good with LeBron going back to Cleveland. It would sort of be like an awesome and original music artist selling out for a short period of time to make money and then finding their roots again that got them to where they were in the first place.

s***'s getting real.

 

Saw there trying to get Allen now too

Saw there trying to get Allen now too

 

Allen comes with LeBron, because Ray Allen just wants to win rings at this point.

 

 

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA · 4m

For Cavaliers, there are no assurances on LeBron James -- and Plan B remains free agent Trevor Ariza into part of space, sources tell Yahoo.

A NY writer said all the James to Cleveland hype is being generated by the Cavs to save face for losing him in 2010.

 

I don't really buy that, but if it is true and it basically shames LeBron to come back, it's a genius move.

A NY writer said all the James to Cleveland hype is being generated by the Cavs to save face for losing him in 2010.

 

I don't really buy that, but if it is true and it basically shames LeBron to come back, it's a genius move.

If there was no interest from the Lebron side, why wouldn't he have his agent or team come out and squash the whole thing. He didn't have to meet with them either.