A King James rumor

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/bas ... 713321.htm

• There have been speculation and rumors in the last week that LeBron James' endorsement contracts have ``kickers'' in them that will pay him millions in bonuses if he is playing in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago.

Well, let's put it on the table. It is 100 percent true. James' agent, Aaron Goodwin, negotiated special language in his large endorsement deals with Nike, Coke, Bubblicious and Upper Deck that call for raises in compensation if he were to play in one of the three top markets.

Some have suggested to get the extra money, James would refuse to sign an extension with the Cavaliers, wait until he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2007 and then sign for below market value in one of the three big cities because he'll make up the difference in endorsement contracts.

The Lakers and Knicks are hopelessly capped out for years. And the Bulls might be headed in that direction.

``I would never do business that way,'' Goodwin said. ``LeBron is a member of the Cavaliers, he wants to be a member of the Cavaliers, he's very happy there and very excited about his future in Cleveland.''

James isn't struggling financially. His $12 million Coke deal is guaranteed. His $90 million Nike deal is guaranteed. All of his deals are guaranteed. He gets bonuses for any number of things, including being named Rookie of the Year and he will surely get an extra check or two for being voted to a starting position in the the All-Star Game. Those deals might get richer when they are re-negotiated in the coming years.

It is hard to believe the already-rich James would make such a basketball decision based on a few extra million, especially when such a move could damage his reputation with fans.

His statement will come July 1, 2006, when he decides whether to extend his contract with the Cavaliers.

If this true and James decided to leave Cavs, i think Bulls will be in good position to get him....

But i think James will stay in Cleveland

Sam Smith mentioned the possibility too. (Link)

With Cleveland's rise in the East and LeBron James' character (or what we know of it), it seems unlikely he'd stab the Cavaliers in the back, grab the money and run. Remaining in Cleveland will hardly leave him penniless.

Same with me I dont see Lebron turning into Carlos Boozer anytime soon.

sign and trade with kobe possibly?

he can't do this..if he does, his will really hurt his image to people..just like Kobe's image is ruin with that whole rape trial.

LeBron James is going to be the savior of the Cavaliers franchise, just like Michael Jordan.

I am pretty sure LeBron will stay for the long run. I mean, does he really need anymore money than he's already got from endorsements? IMO, he will stay and try to accomplish something special for the Cavs.

Only time will tell

I am pretty sure LeBron will stay for the long run. I mean, does he really need anymore money than he's already got from endorsements? IMO, he will stay and try to accomplish something special for the Cavs.

yessss, plus he is from ohio so its just a fitting team for him.

I am pretty sure LeBron will stay for the long run. I mean, does he really need anymore money than he's already got from endorsements? IMO, he will stay and try to accomplish something special for the Cavs.

yessss, plus he is from ohio so its just a fitting team for him.

just look at tmac. but i think lbj will stay. tmac is stupid. just like kobe. sometimes u wonder what they wouldve been if they did finish college. maybe they'd be smarteR?

not that im saying all college players are smarter than hs players. just in general if i may say.

t-mac lacked confidence in orlando. LeBron, all the hype, money and such, confidence will never be a problem. He is just one of those rare exceptions for players who go from HS to the pros. He was smart in high school too I heard, 3.6gpa i think

He will stay
I hope he does anyways

he'll stay....hes gonna be to Ohio what Jordan was to Illinois...plus I doubt he'll threaten the Cavaliers that he'll leave if they dont trade Big Z and give him a big ass contract like someone that plays in a No.8 Yellow Jersey did.

I wouldnt mind having Bron in Los Angeles

he'll stay....hes gonna be to Ohio what Jordan was to Illinois...plus I doubt he'll threaten the Cavaliers that he'll leave if they dont trade Big Z and give him a big ass contract like someone that plays in a No.8 Yellow Jersey did.

KObe didn't demand shaq get traded..

The fat ass himself asked to be traded to teh media thinking the gm wouldn't have the guts..

Kobe didn't get phil fired.

Phil left because he was a wuss.

sign and trade with kobe possibly?

Fuck you! Kobe in exchange for Ilgauskas and LeBron would be fair.

easy there dip shit.....besides Kobe=LeBron

Kobe = MJ x 5/6

LeBron will stay, for God's sake... Cavs are building around him, he may get other players to join next season, and the team is in a good cap situation... he's set in Cleveland, and he's from there, too, like someone already said... so my vote is for him to stay in the long-term.

I'll want him to stay where he is. And this is not like the T-Mac situation. Tracy barely had a team anyway.

I think his decision to stay will be based on Cleveland management. If they can place the right pieces around him to have better success I think he'll stay to be like MJ in Chicago. If they refuse to get him enough help to pursue a title then I think he will leave. In Chicago Jordan had a sidekick (Pippen), rebounder and low post defender (Rodman), big body down low (Longley), perimeter defender (Harper) and spot up shooters (Paxson and Kerr). That was the perfect mix for a title. In LA there was Kobe and the low post defender/sidekick/rebounder/big body (Shaq), perimeter defender (Fisher/Harper/Fox), spot up shooters (Fisher/George). Yet a gain the perfect mix. If Cleveland can get the same mix around LeBron watch out. If not I suspect he'll leave. His greatness like most others will depend on his ability to bring a title to Cleveland. If in his first seven years he doesn't get a title I suspect he will leave.

forget about it

james has a home hes not going anywhere

(sorry if this thread had wondered or something i didnt read any of the posts just stated my opinion.)

lebron will stay. he is very aware of how good he is, and is very aware that he is the man in cleveland. he is also very aware that his team is winning this year and definitely gonna make a nice run in the playoffs. hes also aware that hes the youngest player to record a triple double, and he knows he can be better then MJ. it all started in cleveland, and it seems like everything is going good there... y would he wanna change

ok everyones math is off here, kobe = 1/2 or jordan at best. now as for the topic, i highly doubt james will leave. he seems to like it in cleveland. also this is something that may or may not be running through his mind, when a player is drafted by a bad team and spends his entire career with them and at one time or another makes them a champion, it looks worlds better than a player who bolts town to just try and nab a ring.

Sorry to bring this forever talked issue, but...

In LA there was Kobe and the low post defender/sidekick/rebounder/big body (Shaq), perimeter defender (Fisher/Harper/Fox), spot up shooters (Fisher/George).