The Cavs are 4-3 and have already lost as many home games as they did all last season. Shaquille O’Neal is averaging a very un-Shaq-like 11.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg in 25 minutes. So if the trend continued, and it appeared Lebron James wasn’t returning, would the Cavs trade him rather than wait til July? The Orlando Sentinel suggests it could happen and offers some scenarios, including sending Devin Harris to Cleveland.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:29 am
LOL
November 11th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Shaq’s new role? Elite team that can’t quite make it over the top? Trade for Shaq, then get ready to rebuild.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:31 am
pure, unsupported, waste of electronic ink speculation. Enough. Lebron is such a prima donna that he wants all this attention and then will stay put.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Right, the Cavs will trade Lebron for DH, plus we’ll be able to throw in Sean Williams, Maurice Ager, Josh Boone, Tony Battie, Trenton Hassell, and Keyon Dooling to make salaries match up.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:14 am
I’d rather trade Hop-A-Long Harris for the rights to Rubio if at all possible ???
November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
I wonder who will be the next reporter to make a LeBron-to-(insert team name here) prediction. Enough already.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:59 am
LOL, the Nets have nothing to offer. Harris, Yi, Lopez anyone else you want?? Cavs “NO”
Sports writers that belong in the Hollywood gossip column.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:07 am
This has to be the dumbest rumor ever
November 11th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Cavs would never trade Lebron in season. Only thing I could see is that if in the offseason Lebron is set to leave Cleveland for another team and makes it a condition that the team trade for him in order to give his hometown team some assets to build on so he does not feel quite as badly about leaving them.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Does anybody really believe that Lebron does not have an idea where he would like to play. Nonsense… Lebron knows where he would like to go, so Cleveland will not be able to trade him to just anybody. LeBron will do what’s best for LeBron.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am
its not likely to happen but if it does im wit it. and resign him in the offseason and pick up john wall wit the number1 pick. and that’s a squad.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:30 am
This article shouldn’t be a rumor, rather, just some interesting ideas. JR Smith, who i went to HS with, laughed when i said that Lebron should be traded at the deadline, but that would be a great thing for the Cavs.
I know it is not going to happen, but if they don’t trade him now, they will get nothing for him at the end of the season.
Again, this just makes for some interesting debate, but it may turn out that Trading LBJ would have been the best thing for the Cavs come July.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I’m not sure if that would be in our best interest. In this market, we could assemble a championship team without Lebron.
Can’t we just do what the Celtics did a few years back? They found a couple veterans guys who were stuck on losing teams. What they did do was give up their stud PF/C in the process. They did however, keep their All-Star SF and draft a solid defensive PG.
Michael Redd could fill the Ray Allen role, and that trade could even happen towards the end of this season when (if) Prokhorov takes over. Could a package of Bobby Simmons, Courtney Lee and Trenton Hassell do it?
In the off season, we could ditch our All-Star PG, instead of our young stud C. Perhaps in a trade to Charlotte for Gerald Wallace, with the Nets including a draft pick to sweeten the deal.
Then we make a run at Chris Bosh with whatever money we have left + whatever it takes, pay the accompanying luxury tax, and draft John Wall.
John Wall
Michael Redd
Gerald Wallace
Chris Bosh
Brook Lopez
Bench: CDR-6th man, Terrence Williams, Yi Jianlian, Keyon Dooling, Josh Boone.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:02 am
*I understand drafting John Wall isn’t just a gimme’, but the whole idea, all trades included, is obviously under a swaddling veil of hope.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:10 am
@Dirt;
You should be the Nets G.M. Alot of transactions and luck would have to take place for your particular scenario to go down, but who knows. At least your not putting all your hopes on LeBron and Wade.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:13 am
HAHAHA yeh right…….
November 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I’ve never been in love with Bosh. I think he’s too thin and injury prone. I’d also like to see more of T-Will at the point, just to see if he can pick up enough of the game by the end of this season to take over the reins next season (obviously dependent on D. Harris’ status). I think he has the ability, size and drive and I wish Frank would start him at the point before Harris returns. If he can’t do the job, then we have an All-Star PG to step back into the role.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Just when I thought no one could suggest goofier trades than the “fans” on this site, someone who actually gets paid to write goes and tops even the most bizzare of late night, 0-7 start, injury/illness plagued netsdaily poster delusions.
Lebron to the Clippers for their young talents Gordon and Griffin. So the Clippers mortage the future to rent Lebron for a few months to still miss the playoffs,then see him leave via free agency. Not even the Clippers are this crazy.
Cleveland managment and ownership has one near certain way to keep Lebron – win it all this year. And as long as they have Lebron they have a chance to win up until the game they are eliminated. They will ride him until the last loss of the season (and do not overestimate Shaq in the regular season or underestimate Shaq in the playoffs). At least they can look their fans in the eye and tell them they did everything they could to keep Lebron home for his entire career – catered to his every request, traded for the best talent their cap space would allow and let the dice roll until the very end.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:22 am
“with a Russian billionaire owner apparently securing the team’s move to Brooklyn, the Nets would be the NBA’s most intriguing team.”
That statement is the reason why Lebron might not have made up his mind yet. I believe there is better than a 50% chance he’s leaving and in 15-30 days the Nets should have a clear idea about their future. A draft pick, Lebron with Lopez, Harris, TWill, Lee and CDR is probably the best team the Nets ever had.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Big, the “best team the Nets ever had” may not measure up to the best team Lebron can land himself in
November 11th, 2009 at 10:35 am
What about that lineup with Lebron at PF instead of Bosh?
November 11th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I feel so lucky to be a Nets fan. Where else can you get this kind of entertainment. Drama, intrigue, suspense, politics and slapstick comedy, all rolled up into this one team. These are the good old days! Lets get em tonite…
November 11th, 2009 at 10:41 am
@ Mike
in Oakland (sigh, they’re my team…)
November 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am
@ Trenton,
The Raiders?
My condolences…
November 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I still think Lebron is going to stay in Cleveland but its not a certainty by any means. I hope the Cavs continue to struggle and I hope they do make a panic trade for Stephen Jackson, which I doubt would put them over the top and would certainly limit their ability to improve their team around Lebron next offseason. Jackson is being paid about 10 million a year for the next few seasons. As for the Nets plans, I do not think the teams core is set in stone yet. Last 3 seasons have seen the trading of Kidd, RJ, and Carter, the last two of which have occurred on draft day. Next draft day we may know we are drafting an elite talent and Harris may be the next player to go. Portland has wanted Harris for ages, and they have enough cap space still to trade for Harris without needing to give back equal salary, and they have a lot of cheap young talent we may be interested in. Minnesota and Rubio are also looming. In any case, if Brooklyn and Proky are in place, I think the Nets are going to try to clear more cap space to make a run at 2 elite free agents. Lebron and Bosh are the big prize.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Does anyone know how to say ” anything is possible ” in Rissian?
November 11th, 2009 at 10:50 am
This reporter is clueless. First of all, he doesn’t even understand the trade rules. He said Lebron and Bynum “almost” match up but they are within 25% of each other so they do match up without any filler.
Why would a team want to trade for Lebron? In doing so, you give up talent for him. Next summer, Lebron will sign with whoever he wants and if you’ve already given up talent to get him, doesn’t that make your team less attractive to sign with?
Also, one thing no one talks about. The #23 is retired with the Nets. I know it seems like a minor thing, but would Lebron be willing to no longer wear 23?
November 11th, 2009 at 11:22 am
@ Trenton;
Don’t tell me your also a Mets fan. Two time loser O.K, but three? Priceless…
November 11th, 2009 at 11:24 am
no baseball
Just football and basketball for me
Nets and Raiders make for a sad fall season but I still have hope…
November 11th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I can’t stand watching baseball. Guh.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Does anyone know how to say ” anything is possible ” in
Russian?
Hi Dan, My Russian is a liitle rusty but here goes;
“Михаил Прохоров” translates into “Mikhail Prokhorov
November 11th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Oh please make this come true.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Все возможно!
…?
November 11th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The Diesel tank have only 1 gallon or 2 so far, so your problem is Shaq, not Lebron.
See Phoenix, Shaq slowed them hard and they got an under .500 record. right now they are 6-1 or so.
Get al jefferson or something like that.
But how about: Simmons, Hassell, Najera, Swat, Boone and Dooling for Lebron.
Nice deal.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
That makes no sense for the nets, If lebron wants to play here we can sign him, why would we trade our best player for him when he could then just leave after the year.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@Kevin – I agree with you 100%
I wonder if Boozer is still “available”? Boozer & LeBron or Boozer & Bosh for our excess baggage…
November 11th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I meant Boozer for our excess baggage…
November 11th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
in all seriousness, if i was lebron and looking at my options. Nets would be the best place to be with a move to Brooklyn. The cavs team sux. roster is complete trash and i dont want even one player from that team,.The knicks are a joke but would be the better place for him but like i said, their a joke. the nets have cap space Harris,Lopez and lots of young talent.If you put Lebron on this team it would be Awesome.
Trade one player along with like 2-3 first round picks and work from there. the team would be crazy with these guys running the floor. Lebron needs to wake up and really do whats best for Lebron.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
How about offering Cleveland, right now, Harris, Yi and CDR plus Dallas #1
for Lebron and Shaq?
1)T-Will/Alston
2)Lee/Dooling
3)Lebron/Hayes
4)Boone/Battie
5)Lopez/Shaq
Plus we keep our #1 for PG or PF in 2010
November 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Lebron has a player option for next year. 17 mil. Why would he (or bosh or wade) walk away from guarenteed money in this economy? I think this is all a lot of smoke and none of these players will opt out unless they are getting big extensions – from their own clubs who can give them the most. Boozer, Paul, etc. did not opt out. Think about why.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
@ JohnY
But it could be his best location and as long as he feels he as a shot at a title it might be enough. Of course adding him to any current playoff team that doesn’t have him makes that team a serious contender but how many of them will have as rich of an owner as Proky and can ride down the cannon of heroes if they win.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Cannon of Heroes?…. ugh. Boy o boy this country is going down hill.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
There’s no reason to trade for Lebron. If Lebron wants to come here and Cleveland wants to get anything out of it they would have to play by our rules
November 11th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Trade Harris no problem.
Wall
Lee
Lebron
Bosh
Lopez
November 11th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I love that everyone is looking at the 2010 Mock drafts like me. I think Wall is the best way to go now but its so hard to tell whats what before the college kids even play a game.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
As I said in a previous forum; this method seems a lot more realistic. The reason I say that is because Cleveland “MAY” eventually realize they may not want him to walk and get nothing in return. So if Cleveland asks for Devin Harris and a couple of other players along with a pick, by all means do it. All that would have to be done is trade for a Carlos Boozer type player in the process and stick to K.Dooling as our PG. Lopez will have pressure taken off of him with Bron commanding double teams. It also leaves room for other wing players like Lee and CDR to slash to the basket as there wont be that much attention directed towards them.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I love Mr. Dollars Bills arrogance. Lets tell LeBron and Cleveland to dance to our tune. Its like Custer telling his troops at the Little Big Horn “we ain’t taking any prisoners”. LOL
November 11th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
The Cavs need Lebron a lot. I doubt he will leave next year. He is just making ridiculous demands that he knows only his team can meet, so that he will stay there. Honestly, the Cavs were nobodies before he came, and they will go back to being that way if he leaves. He is too important for them to leave. Please don’t use that claim that the only to way acquire him is to move to Brooklyn, because if he was to really come to the Nets, he would do it whether or not they move there. He already said that he couldn’t care less where they would be by then.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Tal, players choose teams because of the cities they are located in also –
what has more of a cache for a player…Newark or Brooklyn
November 11th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
@ Mike
NO! Period.
@ Chris 2
Looking at the Blazers roster and salary situation it is not far-fetched on what you were saying. Blake is a FA and they have $ coming off the books (miles-9 mil, T. Outlaw 4-mil) But what young players will they give back? Webster? Bayless? I don’t want their draft picks. I need more than that for an all-star.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
@Chuck
The players that could be involved in a Nets/Blazers swap, could potentially be Jerryd Bayless, Rudy Fernandez, and Nicolas Batum. The player with the most potential in that group would be Batum. The Nets were apparently considering drafting him last year with their 2nd first rounder. Actually, the Nets were also considering drafting Bayless with their high first rounder if Lopez was gone. Bayless is not a great playmaker, but he could be a very good shooter. A Harris/Najera/Dallas first rounder for Bayless/Batum could happen. This would free up 8.3 million in salary cap space, bumping us up from 25 to 33 million in space. With Lebron/Bosh commanding 16mill each, this would allow us to offer max contracts to both players. From Portland’s perspective, they have about 10 million in cap space, so they will not be in the game for the superstar free agents anyway. They may jump at the chance to get Harris. I would only do something like this if we negotiate with Lebron first and sell him on this idea, knowing he would sign with us if this happenned. Otherwise, I would keep Harris.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
@ Carlos
I don’t believe we have enough room to sign 2 FA to a max. And sign the #1 pick (if we get that) Last year the Kings was he worst team and yet they got what… the 4th pick. So easy on the Wall prediction.
@ DJ
You gotta love looking ahead, more this year than any other year. I like Donatas Motiejunas makeup… but it like a yi reincarnated.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
@ Chris
I like your response and I do agree with what you are saying…but first thing is first. On draft selection we have to secure the first pick. I wouldn’t want Bayless to start. That way we do have a PG for the future. In another situation… Lebron will know that we have a youthful team in Harris, Yi, Lopez, and Lee in the starting 5. Not to mention draft a PF like Donatas Motiejunas, Favors or Davis. (if we get a pick between 2-4… just being realistic). If we do get the first pick it is going to be tempting not to trade Harris. Both of those players (Bayless and Batum) are bench players and will solidify our bench. Your thoughts?
November 11th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
@ Chris 2
I would even look at Rudy Gay. He will be a restricted free agent. He is 23, SF and can get his points. Not as talented but he is still a good building block to have. Just throwing it out there.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I think that July 1, 2010, all these guys will sign extensions and surpirse no one. I predict that Prokhorov will become the new owner, and Brooklyn happens, and hopefully we can get Rudy Gay, because as someone said earlier he is a good building block. Depending on our position, we probably should take a forward or if we are top 3 the best player available. I still believe this team will shock many despite the start, so maybe at 10 or 11. When Dev comes back, Lee starts playing well, Lopez continues to play well, and our pick
Devin Harris
Courtney Lee
Rudy Gay
Draft Pick
Brook Lopez
we’ll be one of the best young teams in the league, and a good team in the east
November 11th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Trading James? anyone would wait for him…
November 11th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Hey Chuck,
Yea, I do believe that both Bayless and Batum are bench players right now. If we did land the first pick and the right to draft John Wall, I think there is a good possibility that Harris gets placed on the trading block. If we do not land the first pick, we will still likely get an outstanding talent. There may even be other point guards that are seen as being elite prospects. I just think that ever since we traded Kidd, we did it in part to have an opportunity to chase after Lebron. So if Lebron says he wants to play with Bosh….I think we do what we can to make that happen, even if it means trading Harris. I think Nets would only want to trade Harris for an elite talent like a Rubio. Or an established playoff tested point guard on a rookie salary scale…not too many of those out there, maybe a Rodney Stuckey packaged with an Austin Daye. Just saying if Nets want to bring in 2 big names they need to clear a little more salary. A wild card is how TWill develops over the course of the season and if he shows he can be a point guard.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Harris… Lee… Gay… Williams… Lopez… wow, that’d be nice. add 2-3 solid bench players and were goin places in Brick City, NJ