While We’re Waiting… Victor’s Struggles, The MLB’s Playing Field, and the Browns’ Offseason
July 7, 2009NBA Free Agency: Cleveland’s New C. Frye?
July 7, 2009As much as we as a site tend to wish we could just ignore all talk about LeBron James’ future as a Cavalier, we realistically know better. This season is going to be as much about the future plans of LeBron as it will be about the Cavaliers’ latest title chase, so be forewarned. Having said that, though, the news doesn’t always have to be bad.
Sure, it seems like the news that always creates the biggest waves comes whenever a rumor is spread that “sources believe LeBron is going to play wherever Chris Bosh plays” or something of that manner. The kind of news that has LeBron leaving Cleveland is the kind of news that makes headlines. But every once in a while, you get more reaffirming rumors for Cavs fans, and the news this morning is the good kind of rumor.
ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting that a source very close to Trevor Ariza has informed him that LeBron told Ariza in a phone call that he would be in Cleveland beyond 2010. Broussard writes:
In a last-ditch effort to recruit Trevor Ariza away from the Houston Rockets, LeBron James told Ariza he would remain with the Cavaliers past 2010, according to a person close to Ariza.
Even that wasn’t enough to get Ariza, who verbally committed to join the Rockets last Thursday, to change his mind and go to Cleveland.
But the Cavaliers will gladly settle for the consolation prize; if indeed James’ statement to Ariza was more than an empty sales pitch.
“Trevor asked LeBron if he would be in Cleveland after next season,” the source said. “And LeBron said, ‘I’ll be there. Of course, I’ll be there.'”
Many (most? all?) of the previous rumors we have heard regarding LeBron’s future have come from second hand sources and speculation from insiders. For example, when Roland Lazenby made some waves last week by announcing over his Twitter account that LeBron and Bosh intend to play on the same team:
The inside source says LeBron and Bosh have plans to end up playing together. Will Shaq interrupt those plans? Prolly not.
The source of this, though, was not LeBron, as Lazenby later pointed out:
My source on the Bron/Bosh connection is a veteran NBA coach. Says that’s the belief among key coaching staffs. Sorry if the info upsets u.
He later added:
Hush-hush conversation among coaches speculates Bron/Bosh will play together. This is coaches’ read on situation.
So, essentially, this rumor got started because of some chatter among coaches? It doesn’t mean it’s not true, and this is not an attack on Lazenby by any means. I have no doubt the coaches he talked to told him this info. But when comparing rumors, I prefer the ones that come directly from LeBron himself, and not second hand speculation among “key coaching staffs”.
So the question is, then, how much stock are we to put into LeBron’s comments to Ariza? Was LeBron being sincere with Ariza, or was he just telling him what he wanted to hear? For Ariza’s part, he didn’t necessarily buy it. Again, Broussard writes:
When James told Ariza he’d be a Cavalier past next season, Ariza was less than convinced.
“He thought it was just a recruiting tool,” the source said. “LeBron definitely said it, but until he signs the contract it doesn’t mean much.”
The Cavaliers did not ask James or O’Neal to call Ariza, but as he did with Ron Artest, James took it upon himself to reach out. James’ future in Cleveland has been an issue with potential signees.
So once again we come full circle back to the issue of LeBron not signing an extension with the Cavaliers now. But would LeBron really tell a fellow NBA player that he was going to be in Cleveland past 2010 to get him to sign a multi-year deal, only to turn around and bolt the next year and thus leave said player (Ariza) “stranded” in Cleveland? I find that scenario to be a bit tough to believe. Time and time again we have heard how loyal LeBron is, how strong his ties to NE Ohio are, and how much he enjoys the Cavaliers organization and everything Dan Gilbert has done for him and his friends and business associates. So why is it so hard for anyone to believe that LeBron James is really going to be a Cavalier beyond 2010?
Another way to think about this, is to consider something the Plain Dealer’s Brian Windhorst told Cavalier Attitude’s Amar Panchmatia in a recent interview back in June. In wrapping up the conversation, Amar asked Windhorst what his thoughts were on LeBron’s future at the moment, and his answer was fascinating. He said:
As I see it in June of 2009, I foresee LeBron exercising his option for 2011 for sure. I think there is a good chance of him signing a two-year extension to that to make him a free agent again in 2013.
If LeBron is planning on picking up his 2011 option, than he could be totally and completely honest with Ariza in proclaiming that he will be in Cleveland past 2010, but he may mean only for one season at the minimum. With the salary cap possibly decreasing this year, and, as some expect, decreasing even more next year, it could be a sound financial decision on LeBron’s part to wait until 2011 to see if the salary cap goes back up, and by signing a 2 year extension to 2013, not only will LeBron be in a position to max out his contract under a potentially stronger economy in 2013, but he will also have the luxury of seeing what changes occur under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current CBA expires in 2011, but the league has the option to extend it through 2012. It can always be a risk to wait on the unknown, but LeBron and his advisors are an incredibly smart bunch. And when you have the ear of Warren Buffet, as LeBron does, you can bet he has a pretty good feel for the nation’s economy and where we’re headed.
For now, of course, we’re still dealing in nothing but speculation and rumor, but for once, it’s kind of nice to hear some encouraging news about LeBron’s future being spread around NBA circles. Ultimately, the message the Cavaliers as an organization need to be taking out of all of this is that they need to keep doing what they’re doing….keep improving this team and making the steps that lead to building a perennial NBA Championship contending team in Cleveland, because at the end of that day, that’s really all LeBron wants. He knows he’s going to get a max contract no matter where he plays. It’s the success of the franchise he plays for, though, that will ultimately define his legacy in this league.
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(Update: LeBron James denies ESPN’s report, per Windy)
40 Comments
well said Rock…great insight…
just hope youre right…
Interesting note on the economics involving the CBA and a shortterm contract signing.
As for Ariza, I imagine that it all came down to the guarantee of starting. That kid seems to have a lot of pride and wanted to cement a spot on a team, even if its not a contender. He’s got the ring, now he wants the spotlight.
Well, if LeBron left Cleveland, then Ariza could have started in Cleveland. 🙂
well, ariza seems like a decent prospect, but hasnt really shown enough to be considered a star just yet…I think he is doing the something along the same lines as he did in that game in HS against LBJ…hes going to come out guns blazin, but he will probably just become an overpaid role player…
if we signed him for 7.5+ a year, I think people would be expecting a lot more from him here in Cleveland than he would give us…
He has not yet proven himself to be a consistant scorer, but then again, he hasnt been a starter, so who knows…
but he is the long athletic wing that we covet…
…and he hasnt officially signed anywhere just yet, but they are offering more than we are…
I’m happy it didn’t work out with Ariza… And I always thought Lebron would stay, until this offseason when everyone except the Cavs got dramatically better.
How many free agents will sign elsewhere despite Lebron’s courting them, before Lebron himself decides to leave?
If we have to endure another 3 years of what will LeBron do in year x i think my head will explode…I would gladly sacrifice my head for LBJ staying though.
@DK: Agreed that Ariza will just be an overpaid role player. I would still like to see him in wine&gold, but not at the price he’ll get from Houston.
although, it is kinda nice that we have the problem of, ya know, having the best player on the planet on our team for once…
LBJ for MVP again in ’09-’10.
@ben – agreed…I would have liked to seen him in a shorter contract to prove himself a bit more…say in the 2 yr range…but again, he has a ring, and now wants his $.
On the rumors of Lebron and Bosh playing together next season, and whether that rumor even means Lebron is gone, think about it: Who says Lebron and Bosh aren’t playing together in Cleveland. The coach he’s overhearing could be Mike Brown telegraphing our plans for next year to get Bosh. I don’t see how that’s bad in the least.
If LBJ signs an extension for only two years I might have an ulcer from worrying about him leaving in two years. Plus I wanna buy an LBJ Browns jersey 😉
Cleveland is a substantial upgrade from Toronto in regards to….umm…weath…ummm…econo….erm…housi….crap…
well at least we have the warm side of the lake…
@ Andrew- I’d be willing to sacrifice your head as well!
There’s a better chance that I’ll be starting at PF in 2010 for the Cavs than Bosh will. He’s going to Miami or New York.
The last three sentences of this post say it all.
Orlando got better Ben?
If LeBron simply agreed to a cycle of one- or two-year extensions, I don’t know if Danny Ferry would ever sleep again…
Rumors are that Big Baby isnt getting anywhere on negotiations with Celts. Any thoughts on bringing him in?
@Ben: who did Miami add? Atlanta? Philly? They’re three of eight eastern playoff teams from last year. I doubt Turkoglu puts Toronto over the top – maybe a seven or eight?
i agree completely with eli… ariza wants to star and he will have a greater chance in houston with tmac and yao out of the picture than with lebron and shaq in cleveland
I think Ben maybe meant the big boys (contenders) got better with their signings, and people forget about Shaq and the dominance he brings in the middle…
Toronto will be better, but they will not be in the ECF because of turdkoglu…
@18 – I would not want Big Baby here…he annoys the crap outta me…dont think he would fit this team as well as others…but, he is a big body and can score from time to time…but he cries too much for me (literally)…theres no crying in basketball…unless you win the Championship…AV didnt even flinch when that nut punching little weasel Ray Allen elbowed him in the marbles…
Rock, you did leave a few things out. Does the credit rating of the City of Cleveland improve with this rumor? How will this affect municiple bond holders?
Remember “our economy is based on Lebron James.”
Lazenby was strong in OHMSS, a very underrated movie.
@Nicko, Scott: They need to keep getting better relative to the competition, which they didn’t. We keep getting more skilled role players, and the stars keep going elsewhere. Lebron is trying to help, but he’s not the GM, and soon he’s going to say screw this, I’m following the money.
And before people quibble over the fact that the Cavs can pay him more, I mean that he’s going to give another team with lots of promises a shot.
@Ben – there has been one ‘star’ that has moved this offseason so far, ron artest. everyone else has been mid level talent cashing in on a weak free agency class. Please get a grip and stop overreacting
Charlie V and Ariza are now stars?
Ariza averages about 8 points a game for his career, and has started a WHOPPING 52 games in his entire career. He is not even a 30% three point shooter. He is hardly a star.
@ Macnip: What about Vince Carter? The point is that the Cavs’ direct competition is getting better. And each time we hear of a meeting that results in nothing, it makes the Cavs seem impotent.
Orlando is not better than they were last year. VC is about as overrated as they come.
I don’t think VC is necessarily overrated, you’re being a bit harsh on him. However I don’t think he makes orlando better since on paper he’s only slightly better than Hedo, however what made Hedo better was his height and the matchup problems. Now the matchup problems are gone, people won’t need to double VC like they did Hedo, Rashard Lewis won’t be open at the 3 line, and the magic lost Lee, Battie, and Gortat. So they definately did not improve as a team.
@28..
The Magic did not get better with VC. Maybe 10 years ago. I would say Detroit got a little better, the Bulls got worse, and the Celtics got a little better. Atlanta and Philly are the same. I dont understand why everybody is freaking out.
@ Ben – I think it’s too early to tell how well the Cavs direct competition has done.
IMO, the Lakers signing of Artest, assuming he doesn’t combust, is the best move of the offseason, but the Lakers aren’t our direct competition.
The Celtics have signed an old Sheed to supplement an extremely thin bench. Is Sheed an upgrade from Mikki Moore? Sure, but the Celts also have lost Leon Powe and may lose Glen Davis. Their core is also old and potentially vulnerable to injury.
As for the Magic, we’ve debated it on the site before, but I don’t think they’re any better. At best, they’re a push. They gave up Turk, Alston, C. Lee, Battie and probably Gortat for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. Now, they have almost no depth whatsoever and subbing Carter for Turk eliminates many of the matchup problems they posed for the Cavs.
The only other big team that made a splash so for was the Pistons. CV and Ben Gordon are nice complimentary players but neither has ever been more than that. They’ve both been offensive standouts at time, but both have serious defensive deficiencies. I’m personally more worried about the Pistons luring away Kuester.
As for your statement regarding LeBron “following the money” – wouldn’t that necessitate him staying in Cleveland? What other team can offer him more money than Cleveland? And as far as endorsements, Payton Manning has done just fine with those playing in an even smaller market. I just don’t see how “following the money” entails LBJ leaving Cleveland.
Great, now sources close to Lebron are denying that he ever said that he was staying to Ariza…
[Post updated with Windhorst’s latest report]
Well, at the end of the day, our big concern in the East is Boston again. Orlando is not a better team, but Boston is going to be rolling out a starting lineup with one no doubt HOFer (Garnett) two borderline HOFers (Pierce, Allen) one guy who has all the skills necessary to be a HOFer but couldnt put it together mentally (Sheed) and another guy who could be a perennial all-star (Rondo).
If everybody is healthy, I think Boston is the team to beat.
Yeah now LeBron is denying ESPN’s story about him telling Ariza he is staying
whole lotta he-said/she-said drama that changes… nothing. Does this mean Lebron is staying? He is now gonna leave ‘cuz he denied it? Nope, it means what it always has: Lebron don’t know yet. That, or he doesn’t want Ferry to relax just yet- he wants Ferry to play this offseason like it IS his last year here. Which is fine by me… Ferry, I wanna see another good trade, this free agent thing ain’t working. You know the motto: Ring for the King! Git ‘er done.
I wonder if that’ll be the new playoff tagline on all the waving towels. Not Git ‘er done …”Ring for the King!”. Although Git ‘er done is pretty to-the-point too, LOL.
When are people going to start calling Lebron selfish and a team destroyer the way everyone was on Kobe’s back 2 years ago. First he refuses to shake the hands of the players on Orlando that beat him and now this… If he’s such a great player he should make his teammates better by first making a commitment to stay in Cleveland and allowing the team to gel around him. Everyone knows that he is opting out after next year, its just that the Cleveland fans and management are all in denial!!
HE DIDN’T SHAKE HANDS OH NO!!!
I believe Lebron said it. Why would Ariza make something like this up? It just doesn’t make sense. He’s all set to sign with HOU, he got his ring and is about to receive his first big payday, there’s just no reason for Ariza or his source to say anything like that, if it was completely inaccurate. There’s nothing to be gained out of the situation by Ariza or his “sources”.
LeBron has clearly come out to save face by denying it and that’s OK, it really is. But I for one has always been pretty confident LeBron would re-sign with Cavs in 2010. This does nothing to make me change my mind. For how many years he’ll re-sign is a different matter..