It's hard to think it's realistic at this point for Lebron to opt in and get traded here @The Cat I know you mentioned the deadline, but reality is that the Rockets spent what, 10 days working on the trade with the Clippers for Paul? Lebron is going to give the Rockets and Cavs less than 24 hours? With no heads up? Feels like the Cavs would need more than 24 hours just to recover from being told he's leaving. The ONLY way I can see it working if is they already have the rest of it lined up and have tentatively talked with the Cavs about this possibility.
Paul Geoge My Journey Part 2: [Opening] I love LA. This is home. I grew up watching Kobe. When I first fell in love with the game and I'm outside playing in front of the house, I'm not picturing myself in an Indiana jersey, a Thunder jersey. I pictured myself in a Lakers jersey. Everyone in the league would say they'd love to go back home and play for their city. Something about representing home. [Agent] There's so many scenarios that he & I will be meeting with over the next several weeks where he'll not only look at team options but length of contract. There's a bunch of factors besides just where do I want to play. [George] This is what you play for in your career, this opportunity to pick where you want to play. [Agent goes over contract scenarios] [George] I'm going to get paid what I deserve off what I bring to the table. That's not my concern. The most important thing is winning a championship. [Agent] Sam Presti stepped to the plate to try to get Paul George to come play with Russell Westbrook. That showed both of us a lot by making a move like that. ... I don't know if OKC would have gotten a free agency meeting if he didn't go there. Now instead of a 2-hour free agency meeting, you get a year long meeting so do what you gotta do to convince him. [July 15, 2018 - George sits down with D-Wade] (Talks about Wade's wine) [George] How do you always push the envelope? [Wade] Let it be authentic. You gotta put the work in. If it's not something you really enjoy, you're not gonna be successful. [George] So I'm learning. (Wade talks about playing George in the playoffs) [George] I'm in that position now where I'm trying to figure out the direction I want to go. What would you do in this situation? [Wade] I'll tell you mindset in 2010. For me, it wasn't about money. It wasn't about nothing but winning. A lot of people don't believe this, think we already had this set up. LeBron called, said "What are you thinking?" I said "I want to win championships. I'm tired of getting knocked out in the first round. It sucks. Then went from there to saying "Yo, let's do it together." I won a scoring title. Nothing happened. The season was over. I didn't want that. What fulfilled me was raising that gold thing over my head. I knew winning would bring everything I wanted & more. [George] End of the day, that's all I want to do. I want to be a champion. In a way, I want to come here, play for the home team, put a Lakers jersey on. That's always something I want to fulfill but at the same time, it's like what's the best move? I know who I am as a player. I want to help a team win. I feel ??? doing so with Russ. There's other places too from Boston to Clippers... [Wade] You can't regret this decision. Once you make it, whether your the #1 guy, 1st, 2nd, you gotta be OK with it. This is a hell of a ride.
Well, technically your "selling the whole farm" for Kawhi, but it also gives you LeBron and maybe George. 28 teams would sell the whole farm for that.
I disagree @The Cat . He could opt-in with the guarantee from the Cavs that they'll trade him, then meet teams with Cavs' permission to make his decision. It would be very bad for the Cavs if he opts in and they go back on their word.
"If it's not something you really enjoy, you're not gonna be successful." Bye bye OKC. "[Wade] I'll tell you mindset in 2010. For me, it wasn't about money. It wasn't about nothing but winning. A lot of people don't believe this, think we already had this set up. "I want to win championships. I'm tired of getting knocked out in the first round. It sucks." Bye bye OKC. " [George] End of the day, that's all I want to do. I want to be a champion. " Bye bye OKC. I mean, lol
Hard to see the Cavs making that kind of guarantee with little time to discuss a deal. Let's say he tells them at the last minute he wants to be traded to Houston but a deal isn't already worked out, are the Cavs going to promise that they'll oblige? What if the Rockets can't find a deal to send off Ryno, are the Cavs going to eat the contract?
Another point to add, even if LeBron does opt-in, either Morey has a trade lined up to dump Ryno, or LeBron is probably staying in Cleveland. I can’t imagine he’d stay in Cleveland. Maybe that’s why all’s quiet on the Rockets front. Can’t leak anything, otherwise LA might try to entice other teams that would take Ryno and offer Deng. LeBron’s family likely prefers to stay in Cleveland. He just wants to win rings, and Houston is his best shot to get one not just this year but for the rest of his career. LA is the compromise between family preference and King James preference. But he has to believe he can win a ring in LA. And the only way he thinks he has a shot at a ring in LA is if Kawhi or PG or both go there with him. Magic Johnson mentioned a 2-summer process. I could see LeBron coming here and bolting next year to join LA with Kawhi.
it would destroy the Cavs as a franchise if they agree and then back out after LeBron opts in. Their fan base would hate them and future players/agents will never trust them again. The media will crucify them as well. I am just not sure though if it matters for the trade to happen before July 1st. He can opt in and be traded after the moratorium ends, but at that point the Cavs and any other teams will be operating with 2018-2019 salaries which may not be beneficial in some scenarios
Not an option year, but he was told by the front office that they were going to trade him to Houston.