James' Commitment To Cleveland Waning By The Minute

[SkipToMy_Lou]

With the state of uncertainty that has been created, LeBron James is no longer a lock to remain in Cleveland when his contract is up.

"When Gilbert's group bought the Cavaliers I thought it was 75-25 LeBron would extend his contract at the appropriate time," a former team employee declared. "In five weeks that percentage has dropped to 40-60. If they don't make the playoffs, LeBron might very well demand a trade."

James is the kind of player that may just take a lot less money to play for a big market team that has a chance to win.

New York, Los Angeles or Chicago are all markets that can do a better job to facilitate a player of James' stature and the money lost in player contract's can be made back in endorsement boosts.
[New York Post - READ PIECE

Source: www.realgm.com

[Fresh8]

Interesting... if he had to go, I'd love to see him go to either the Clippers or the Knicks.. not to the Bulls though...

[beau_boy04]

Why not the Bulls? I'd love to see him in Bulls uniform. I don't think the Lebron is suitable for the Lakers because of Kobe and New York is not good enough at this stage either. If he decides to go, I hope he doesn't go to a West, that would weaken the East Conference big time

[FendeR`]

It'd be incredibly ironic if he went to the Bulls.

[furious1]

LeBron is not going to play with Kobe. He wants to be considered the greatest player in the league and that won't happen if he plays next to the actual greatest player.

[Fresh8]

Becaus ethe Bulls are good w/out Bron. They got an exciting team and I want to see Ben Gordon rule by himself! lol

Him in NY sounds most reasonable... its a marketable place....

[Rip32]

Man how could Zeke get Lebron there if he were gonna try?

[Its_asdf]

LeBron is not going to play with Kobe. He wants to be considered the greatest player in the league and that won't happen if he plays next to the actual greatest player.

Did you just say Kobe is the greatest player?

The team I'd like to see Lebron in would probably be..... in Toronto with Chris Bosh.

[tsbarbee2002]

LeBron is not going to play with Kobe. He wants to be considered the greatest player in the league and that won't happen if he plays next to the actual greatest player.

Would it be an even trade Kobe for LJ. I'd make it in a heartbeat

[Fresh8]

Kobe for LJ... now thats hard... i dunno if i would do it if i were the cavs...

[tsbarbee2002]

it's hard to imagine, but Kobe is 10 year vet and he's only 26,27 years old. In a perfect world, he has about 7 or 8 more years left!!!! I would make that trade definitely if i HAD to give up LJ

[Amphatoast]

lol, kobe has a no trade clause i believe.. I don't think he wants to be traded for LeBron James.. cause of LeBron makes the Lakers winners with the same squad, Kobe is going to feel like crap. Salaries are far apart too..
LeBron with the clippers sound fair enough, clippers have a good amount of talented players. LA vs LA would be fun to watch night in and out LeBron+ Elton Brand would be a good combo ( trade maggette and build around 'bron and brand)

[Andrew]

It will be interesting to see how LeBron's image fairs if he decides to ask for a trade or leaves town via free agency at the earliest possible opportunity. So far there hasn't been much negative press about LeBron compared to guys like Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter, but I could see the media turning on him if he abandoned Cleveland so early in his career. But I suppose it depends on whether he continues to play hard (which I'm sure he would) and whether Cleveland's management makes poor moves.

[tsbarbee2002]

WHAT!!! Corey Maggette isn't even on the same PLANET as LJ. I don't care how much LJ wants out CLE wouldn't be that dumb, Elton would have to be thrown in. There goes ur combo.I believe Kobe would waive the clause when he finally realizes NOBODY in LA is excited anymore to see him on his own. So he'll go somewhere that he'll be praised like a god. The salaries wouldn't be too much of a problem. If both parties really wanted to make the trade go thru, they could get it done

[furious1]

LeBron is not going to play with Kobe. He wants to be considered the greatest player in the league and that won't happen if he plays next to the actual greatest player.

Did you just say Kobe is the greatest player?

Yes can you name a better active player? And please don't give me that KG/TD garbage they are both 7 feet tall. Skill wise Kobe blows them away. LeBron is a good player but untill he leans how to defend and shoot long range shots all he'll be is a good player on a bad team.

[Andrew]

It's not as though Kobe's on a fantastic or successful team either. Skill wise I think you could make a case for Kobe being the best in the league, but he's still lacking the discipline in his game and the developed basketball mind to be successful in his new role as The Man for the Lakers.

[cklitsie]

Yes can you name a better active player?

Shaq & D-Wade for example and I'm a Knicks fan...

[Matt]

if Kobe's so great howcome he aint in the Playoffs?

[Fresh8]

Kobe is the best individual talent in the NBA... at least the best guard. However, he is due for an attitude adjustment!

[Sauru]

LeBron is not going to play with Kobe. He wants to be considered the greatest player in the league and that won't happen if he plays next to the actual greatest player.

this just makes me laugh something fierce

[T-Comm55]

Lebron shoudn't leave cleveland because it would be a big hit to hs reputation but if he does decide to leave, I would like to see him with the knicks

[MC Hao]

please go to new york, please go to new york, please go to new york, LeBron!!!!!!!!!

[Amphatoast]

marbury would have to be traded which would guarentee the knicks a 50 win season like all of marbury x teams

[8-Hype]

I hope he retires after that season.

[Sauru]

why all the talk of a trade. lebron can just pull his 4 years then bolt to whoever he wants to. in which case i want him to go to boston, for totally obvious reasons. i know he wont go there but man would i be in heaven.