LeBron James held an engaging pregame session with reporters, alternating between humor and eloquence about his impending free agency. Besides facing the Bulls, James on Friday makes his only trip this season to New York, where the Knicks are another team that could have ample salary-cap space.
“I’ve never teased the New York media by saying I’m playing for the Knicks,” James said. “I say the same thing every time. When July 1 gets here, I’m going to approach it like a businessman and the best way it fits for LeBron and his family.”
Are the Bulls an option?
“I’ve thought about playing everywhere,” James said.
The Clippers?
“Everywhere,” James said.
Discuss.
32 Responses
Use John Lucas as an incentive to lure him in along with the talent on the team.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Just trying to boost his stock, you always want to make it seem like demand is high. Can’t exclude a potential bidder.
Gordon for President Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Come on, dude. LeBron has to boost his stock? Really.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Come on, LeBron doesn’t have to resort to artificially inflating demand. He is guaranteed a max deal even if Cleveland and NY are the only bidders.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
“So you’re saying I have a chance!” – Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber
D.J. Foster Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
This cracked me up – bravo.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
“More like…one in a million…” – Mary from Dumb & Dumber
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
“Remember, Red. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” – Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I don’t think LeBron cares about his NBA salary that much to try bs people. He makes much more in endorsements and would probably sacrifice salary to win.
RT Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am
True statement.
Q.d. Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Everyone cares, money = status of where you stand vs the other players
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
i think he cares more about winning than anything else. if it looks like a winning situation, and management says the right things, it really could happen.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I wouldn’t hold my breath on this, but anything is possible, and what a set up he’d have coming to the Clippers. He’d be the greatest player ever if he came here and won a championship.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I’m sure he does care about winning, but he damn sure isn’t going to sign anywhere for less than a max deal.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I have to believe David Stern would encourage this. No better way to make money than to make one of the biggest NBA markets even bigger with LeBron AND Kobe in the same city. I still haven’t shaken the feeling that Blake was given to us for the same reason. It just didn’t make sense that we’d be rewarded so hugely out of the blue.
Maybe Stern is finally sick of the Clippers sucking and is slowly priming us for some real action. Bring on the King.
Curtis Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
That’s a really interesting theory.
benoit benjamin's two left shoes Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Are you kidding? Stern wants to reward the owner who got the league sued in an ugly racial discrimination case brought by a true NBA legend? I don’t think so.
Gordon for President Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Ugly case? Everyone was amazed Elgin kept the job as long as he did. Including Elgin.
Chris. Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
LA is the #2 market & there’s Kobe, NY is the #1 market and there is nobody. If your theory holds on improving THE major market then it’s NY not LA, sorry. He’s not leaving anywhere, it just keeps the media interested.
Gordon for President Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
You’re forgetting NYK has no justifiable talent. Bron will be mediocre with the Knicks, can do great things with Gordon and Griffin.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am
It probably won’t happen, but in all seriousness it does seem to be the best situation for LeBron. Does he really want to go to NY and carry Lee, Robinson and Gallinari on his shoulders for the next 10 years?
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Hey Kobe was very close to signing with us when he saw we were a young and upcoming team! I dont believe in miracles but this would surely change my mind!
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:42 am
brings back memories of the KB and Elgin verbal agreement…another reason to say the team is cursed when the deal falls through.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Kevin, please make sure you have a follow up question this when the King is in town. Thanks!
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
If LeBron wants to win and flourish in a big market, he has only 4 choices: Knicks, Lakers, Bulls and Clippers. If he wants 100% sure thing(not a repeat of Cleveland), CLIPPERS should be his first choice.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Lakers have a better chance than us to get lebron
Clipper Derrick Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I don’t think the Lakers have enough cap room…
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Valid point, but you never want to close any doors is what I was kinda hinting at.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
why would he go to the lakers when he has always been kobe’s rival. It would make more sense for him to move to LA and take over it as a clipper!!! A make it his city type of thing. Plus the fakers don’t have the money.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
The lakers seem to pull star players out of thin air, left field etc etc (pau gasol and artest and aging ones karl and payton). I would not be surprised if they somehow got lebron.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
If you think LeBrons gonna be a Clipper, I’ve got a bridge to sell you in Alaska…
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
KA…what is the max first year salary lebron can command from a team other than the Cavs? in stein’s recent article, he stated that the Clips would have $11.1 mil in a best case scenario of the $53 mil cap for 2010/11.
would we have to clear additional cap space, or would that $11.1 be a max option for year one? it would be tragic to dump salary with nothing in return just for a shot at the king. at the same time, i wouldnt mind trading 1 of a couple role players (dont want to name names) to shed a couple million for that shot.
also, do you know what protection the first rounder we acquired from minnesota in the cassell trade maintains over the next couple years? that is a great asset we can parlay with a salary dump for a decent player with an expiring contract.
Posted on November 6th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
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