"Let's talk" from Rich Paul meant "I see you guys are looking for one-year deals so let's talk about KCP." Crazy how many people I've seen misinterpret that. From fans online to media pundits on TV. But it's understandable based on how that quote was reported. I hope Rob is the kind of guy who almost intentionally told that story in this way (or intentionally directed his media people to report it this way) just to stir up the rumors and speak "Lebron to LA" into existence
Wow…I’m an idiot. Thanks for schooling me on the MLE, Doc. I clearly need to go back to school and read up on the cap more carefully. Of course its in the name, that is why its called an exception. I made the (jack)assumption that with the new Room Exception, the MLE’s had changed. However the new Room Exception is such a misnomer and that got me all messed up in the head with how the MLE’s work now. There really is no exception to the cap rules if you got cap room, since you can still sign up free agents and still use an “exception” to go over the cap. Boston did it with Hayward and then used the room exception (4.3M) on Aron Baynes, Heck, even the Lakers used up all their cap in KCP and I’m sure threw the room exception at DRose (or Ian Clark for that matter) to beat out the Cavs 2.3M vet min. offer. So again, hopefully I can get this right, but next summer after we possibly extend Lopez, sign George and trade for Bron (in that order), we will still have the room exception of about 4.5M to use on remaining free agents. Did I F it up again...I f'd it up again, didn't I? Goddammit...where's Pelinka, Magic and the Pope to help me repent my sins? Anyways thx Doc and Real for engaging me on this topic, even though I made some errors in the process. But I’m sure we all agree that one does not simply walk into the offseason.. without an order in utilizing their cap space. It is folly, to think otherwise. We need to keep our heads about the matter and go in there with a plan. No exceptions..its all about the #2018Plan
Right I also used the wrong terminology, we'd still have the room which is what we have now to offer Rose the 4.2 million or so. Either way the grander point, like you said, is to have all of this already worked out. The whole myth that Riley was able to magically clean up Miami to make room for these guys who deliberated over the decisions is wrong: all of that was already planned out and agreed upon long before the summer hit. Riley knew exactly what he was going to do, where he was going to get his players, and how he was going to free up his money. Right now Pelinka has to be navigating the mine field carefully to avoid tampering, but to create the perfect path to what we need next summer. So far I believe that Paul George is the closest to jumping. I believe he and LeBron both had their eyes separately on LA, but are starting to back channel their way into seeing a future in LA. I believe that Randle, Clarkson, Nance, Caldwell-Pope, and Lopez are all trying to position themselves to stay here as the big two names start to formulate their plan. I believe Clarkson is the least likely to stay, followed by Randle, followed by the rest in a tie based on what we can do to clear room.
If Paul George commits to the Lakers on July 1 of next year and the Lakers are coming off a season where they make the playoffs with Lonzo being the undeniable transcendent star he is predicted to being? Lebron's only chance of beating GSW is going to the Lakers. Lakers will have the perfect mix of talents, youth and experience. And most importantly, enough defense and length to really hinder GSW. If LeBron wins it all next year in Cleveland, then its unlikely he will ever leave.
He's not winning it all next year. The Cavs didn't get any better this summer, and IMO, the Warriors got even better somehow and also retained all of their talent. There's a small chance that Boston actually takes out Cleveland next year too (which I would hate, but in reality, that could actually help us LAND lebron). I just hope somehow Washington or Toronto beat the C Bags and Cavs...that's the best case scenario for all of us. Oh and I agree...if PG13 commits, LeBron comes via trade...and we find a way to dump deng & clarkson, and we re-sign KCP/Lopez while keeping Ingram, Zo, Kuz, Zu, and Nance? Oh yeah, we'll have the depth and experience to challenge in the West.
On the off chance that Cavs win it all, I think Lebron leaves anyways. I think he's fed up with Dan Gilbert.
I agree. What does he stay for at that point? Unless there's an obvious and easy chance to win another ring again, I think he figures "eh, I fulfilled my duty to my home town, now I'm going to go do what I want."