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Top 10 Reasons LeBron Could Choose New York (Redux)
Authored by Louis Roxin - April 30, 2010 - 9:20 pm
With the Summer of LeBron just weeks away, it is time to revisit the Top 10 Reasons LeBron Could Choose New York,originally published August 12, 2009, and discuss one more – thenumber 11 – reason that could play a major role in LeBronJames’ decision.
11. The stars aligning. Some think LeBron would be takingtoo big a risk leaving Cleveland. But it might be a bigger risk for himto pass up the chance to pair up with another young All-Star – tofind ‘his Pippen’ – in this summer’s deepfree-agent class. His alternative is to remain with a capped-outCavalier roster as other elite players around the league join forces.
With their max slots this summer, Miami could sign Chris Bosh orAmaré Stoudemire to play alongside Dwyane Wade, and Chicagocould sign Bosh, Stoudemire, or even Carlos Boozer or David Lee, toplay alongside Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. This would give both clubsformidable young cores, leaving LeBron in a much tougher EasternConference, without the star sidekick who can help him accumulate themultiple championships he seeks.
The Magic will eventually have the cap room to re-tool andpotentially build a juggernaut by adding as many as two max free-agentsto play alongside Dwight Howard once the $18 million salary of VinceCarter (expiring 2012) and $23 million salary of Rashard Lewis(expiring 2013) come off the books.
To say nothing of the young star couplings in the WesternConference, like Brandon Roy & LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant& Russell Westbrook.
These pairs represent the future of the NBA, but in Cleveland,LeBron would have to wait two more years for the Cavs to have thesalary cap room to attempt to sign that prime player LeBron can growold with.
Come July, the Knicks and Heat are the only two clubs with enoughcap room to bring aboard two max free-agents. In New York, LeBron wouldvery likely have his pick of whatever other frontline free-agent hewants to join him at the Garden. Whichever one LeBron chooses mightinstantly make the best 1-2 combination in the league. If DaniloGallinari progresses, perhaps the best 1-2-3.
In the back of LeBron’s mind might also be the thought thatif he doesn’t say yes to the opportunity to play in New York withanother All-Star, a couple of pretty good players will. By 2011, hecould find Bosh and Carmelo Anthony at the Garden, another team in theCavs’ conference with a strong foundation that would stand in hisway for years to come.
10. Cash. Over the same five years, LeBron would earnjust $4.14 million less signing with the Knicks than re-signing withthe Cavs as a free-agent. The Cavs can offer an extra year, but thereis little reason to think the security of a 6th season will bedecisive. If LeBron put much value on security, he would have sought alonger-term contract in 2006 rather than the 3-year extension he didsign. If security is what he is after, LeBron would have already signedan extension this off-season. Given the relatively small differencebetween the Cavs’ and Knicks’ 5-year max offers – andgiven the mountain of endorsement dollars that could comeLeBron’s way if he lands in New York – LeBron could have asignificant financial incentive to sign with the Knicks.
The common belief now is that LeBron will, in fact, seek anothershort-term contract – perhaps only three guaranteed years –regardless of whether he stays in Cleveland or not.
“While it is true the Cavs can pay James more than any otherteam because of the so-called ‘Larry Bird Exception,’ itonly makes a big difference if James would sign for the full six yearsallowed,
Authored by Louis Roxin - April 30, 2010 - 9:20 pm
With the Summer of LeBron just weeks away, it is time to revisit the Top 10 Reasons LeBron Could Choose New York,originally published August 12, 2009, and discuss one more – thenumber 11 – reason that could play a major role in LeBronJames’ decision.
11. The stars aligning. Some think LeBron would be takingtoo big a risk leaving Cleveland. But it might be a bigger risk for himto pass up the chance to pair up with another young All-Star – tofind ‘his Pippen’ – in this summer’s deepfree-agent class. His alternative is to remain with a capped-outCavalier roster as other elite players around the league join forces.
With their max slots this summer, Miami could sign Chris Bosh orAmaré Stoudemire to play alongside Dwyane Wade, and Chicagocould sign Bosh, Stoudemire, or even Carlos Boozer or David Lee, toplay alongside Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. This would give both clubsformidable young cores, leaving LeBron in a much tougher EasternConference, without the star sidekick who can help him accumulate themultiple championships he seeks.
The Magic will eventually have the cap room to re-tool andpotentially build a juggernaut by adding as many as two max free-agentsto play alongside Dwight Howard once the $18 million salary of VinceCarter (expiring 2012) and $23 million salary of Rashard Lewis(expiring 2013) come off the books.
To say nothing of the young star couplings in the WesternConference, like Brandon Roy & LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant& Russell Westbrook.
These pairs represent the future of the NBA, but in Cleveland,LeBron would have to wait two more years for the Cavs to have thesalary cap room to attempt to sign that prime player LeBron can growold with.
Come July, the Knicks and Heat are the only two clubs with enoughcap room to bring aboard two max free-agents. In New York, LeBron wouldvery likely have his pick of whatever other frontline free-agent hewants to join him at the Garden. Whichever one LeBron chooses mightinstantly make the best 1-2 combination in the league. If DaniloGallinari progresses, perhaps the best 1-2-3.
In the back of LeBron’s mind might also be the thought thatif he doesn’t say yes to the opportunity to play in New York withanother All-Star, a couple of pretty good players will. By 2011, hecould find Bosh and Carmelo Anthony at the Garden, another team in theCavs’ conference with a strong foundation that would stand in hisway for years to come.
10. Cash. Over the same five years, LeBron would earnjust $4.14 million less signing with the Knicks than re-signing withthe Cavs as a free-agent. The Cavs can offer an extra year, but thereis little reason to think the security of a 6th season will bedecisive. If LeBron put much value on security, he would have sought alonger-term contract in 2006 rather than the 3-year extension he didsign. If security is what he is after, LeBron would have already signedan extension this off-season. Given the relatively small differencebetween the Cavs’ and Knicks’ 5-year max offers – andgiven the mountain of endorsement dollars that could comeLeBron’s way if he lands in New York – LeBron could have asignificant financial incentive to sign with the Knicks.
The common belief now is that LeBron will, in fact, seek anothershort-term contract – perhaps only three guaranteed years –regardless of whether he stays in Cleveland or not.
“While it is true the Cavs can pay James more than any otherteam because of the so-called ‘Larry Bird Exception,’ itonly makes a big difference if James would sign for the full six yearsallowed,
