LeBron seeking max contract - Woj

[J Shuttlesworth]

While Bosh, Wade and Haslem could ultimately take less money with the early termination outs in their deals, [B]James, the NBA's four-time MVP, is seeking a full maximum contract extension

[Nash]

According to Woj

:biggums:

Forget about Gortat, Lowry and any other quality signing.

[Meticode]

As he should.

[navy]

He will get 20ish million, I think.

[VengefulAngel]

As he should.

Pretty much this.


It may be scaled slightly oddly to help to have cap space this season.

[PJR]

Make all your teammates take less.

Demand your favorite prospect in the draft(Napier).

Demand the max.

Alpha as f*ck.

Am I doing it right lol?

[BigTicket]

Honestly, this would be a real dick move by Lebron. If players like Harlem are taking a payout to help the team, Lebron damn well better do the same.

[Meticode]

Well hopefully this all works out for LeBron. He's getting everything he wants. He'll likely get near a max deal and Wade and Bosh takes paycuts. He got the player in the draft he wanted, and they'll probably sign who the need to sign to make another run. Hopefully he doesn't end up 2/10.

[Nash]

[QUOTE=J Shuttlesworth]While Bosh, Wade and Haslem could ultimately take less money with the early termination outs in their deals, [B]James, the NBA's four-time MVP, is seeking a full maximum contract extension

[D-Rose]

Honestly, this would be a real dick move by Lebron. If players like Harlem are taking a payout to help the team, Lebron damn well better do the same.
Harlem :oldlol: Perfect, don't change it.

[STATUTORY]

I LOVE IT!!!

wade crying, losing hoap!

[bdreason]

He doesn't have to "seek" anything. Every team in league will bring LeBron a MAX contract to his doorstep.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Honestly, this would be a real dick move by Lebron. If players like Harlem are taking a payout to help the team, Lebron damn well better do the same.
LeBron might be paying these dudes off kinda like how Wade gave haslem 3 million of his own money so that he could stay on the Heat for a smaller contract

[Meticode]

Udonis Harlem

[BigTicket]

Harlem :oldlol: Perfect, don't change it.

Hehe, ****ing autocorrect.

[Fork]

So basically Bosh, Wade, and Haslem are taking paycuts to give Lebron the max? The hell?

[navy]

Thats 26m a year. What the hell, dude going Kobe on the Heat.
I hope he doesnt go 26 million. 20 million is good. Or 18, his current rate.

[STATUTORY]

Udonis Harlem
Broke ass Harlem :roll: :roll:

[longtime lurker]

Lmao Wade and Bosh leave money on the table to help Lebron's legacy while he gets max money. These guys are either incredibly stupid or naive.

[Nash]

Lmao Wade and Bosh leave money on the table to help Lebron's legacy while he gets max money. These guys are either incredibly stupid or naive.
Or after 4 years they love being in Miami?

[longtime lurker]

Or after 4 years they love being in Miami?

oh yeah I forgot if they had opted in they'd leave Miami :confusedshrug:

[truhooper]

As he should.

:applause:

[fpliii]

Very, very dumb move if the source is correct. Or he's done in Miami.

(BTW before someone calls me a hypocrite, I've never blasted Bran or anyone else for taking paycuts.)

[Nash]

oh yeah I forgot if they had opted in they'd leave Miami :confusedshrug:
Who knows how good they are in 2 years? Why not opt out, secure more money and stay in your preferred city for 5 years?

[Hey Yo]

Lmao Wade and Bosh leave money on the table to help Lebron's legacy while he gets max money. These guys are either incredibly stupid or naive.
James busting his ass, carrying the team while Wade relaxes on the bench for 1/3 of the season is stupid.

[Milbuck]

He's earned it.

[IllegalD]

Where are all the LeBron Stans that were calling Kobe greedy for taking the extension he did and handicapping his team's salary cap situation? :confusedshrug:

I think this finally puts to bed the myth that LeBron is all about championships and winning rings.

Or that he's "the greatest teammate ever"

[navy]

Very, very dumb move if the source is correct. Or he's done in Miami.

(BTW before someone calls me a hypocrite, I've never blasted Bran or anyone else for taking paycuts.)
Why? The source is vague. It says max or near max contract....Isnt that where he is at currently?

[fpliii]

Why? The source is vague. It says max or near max contract? Isnt that where he is at currently?
Unless Wade and Bosh take massive paycuts, no room to improve this roster. Not sure why they'd agree if LeBron didn't follow suit.

[CHi1PriDe]

He should, since he had to carry the team on his back

[Hey Yo]

Where are all the LeBron Stans that were calling Kobe greedy for taking the extension he did and handicapping his team's salary cap situation? :confusedshrug:

I think this finally puts to bed the myth that LeBron is all about championships and winning rings.
Stupid comparison, to say the least.

[D-Rose]

I wouldn't put too much stock in this, despite the fact that it is Woj. LeBron is the one that convinced Wade/Bosh to opt out. He knows that the more he gives up, the more role-players they can get.

This situation is obviously very fluid.

Some people may mistake this for "LeBron seeking to go anywhere he can get a max deal"...and that's sad.

[D-Rose]

Where are all the LeBron Stans that were calling Kobe greedy for taking the extension he did and handicapping his team's salary cap situation? :confusedshrug:

I think this finally puts to bed the myth that LeBron is all about championships and winning rings.

Or that he's "the greatest teammate ever"
We haven't seen anyone agree to any contract. I'd hold the press on that storyline.

[IllegalD]

Stupid comparison, to say the least.

Your right, no comparison.

With a max contract LeBron will surely stay stuck at 2 rings to Kobe's 5. Not even on the same stratosphere. :applause:

[Hey Yo]

Your right, no comparison.

With a max contract LeBron will surely stay stuck at 2 rings to Kobe's 5. Not even on the same stratosphere. :applause:
More like one in his prime still and the other is just barley getting out of his wheelchair

[PJR]

First year figure in a max deal for LeBron is 22 Million (35% of the projected 63 million cap).

That's still a bargain, all things considered. I think he'll start at 20. Consider the no state taxes, and it'll barely be a hit. Take a little off the top so Riley can work.

[chopchop20]

Probably will be a few dollars more than what Kobe took.

[sbw19]

Hardly a surprise, pay him or lose him. If there's a time to give LeBron max money it's certainly not when he's 35 years old.

[PJR]

Probably will be a few dollars more than what Kobe took.

Na.

The MAX LeBron can make is 22 million next season. Kobe is going to make 23.5 next season.

[chopchop20]

As Kobe so eloquently pointed out, it's not just about one player. It's about protecting the earning potential of ALL players.

Star players should make Star money. Doesn't make sense for revenues to keep growing every year and have LeBron making less money than Gilbert Arenas did 6- 7 years ago.

Owners need to stop trying to hustle; raise the cap to a level that makes more sense for compensating the elite guys who drive the revenue.

[lakerspng]

I'm sure the Lakers will offer him a max contract, but I doubt he leaves Miami.

how does that meeting go with wade and bosh the other day?

LeBron: okay guys, for the good of the team you both need to opt out and take pay cuts so we can bring in some help.

Wade: what about you?

LeBron: I'm opting out as well brah!

Bosh: cool, so what help we gonna bring in?

LeBron: Me. Either you give me half your money for helping your weak @sses to the finals last year, or I leave. Deal?

[chopchop20]

Na.

The MAX LeBron can make is 22 million next season. Kobe is going to make 23.5 next season.

Oh.... appreciate ya for that.:cheers:

[GimmeThat]

This doesn't even matter.

besides the Heat Owners pocket book.

In terms of building a contender.

None-factor.

[Nash]

I wouldn't put too much stock in this, despite the fact that it is Woj.
Woj doesn't know anything about Miami. He clearly has an inside in the NBA that reports to him about every trade or signing that is about to happen(as shown by him announcing every draft pick before Adam Silver did) but his insider with the NBA has no real knowledge about the business inside the Heat.

[Rose'sACL]

i will lose some respect for him if bosh and wade take pay cuts but he takes the max. he should take less than 20 mil.

[edrick]

If Lebron signs a max/near max deal, which all of the Lebron haters that are calling him beta as ****, begin to spew other nonsense about hurting the team by taking too much money. :facepalm

[chopchop20]

i will lose some respect for him if bosh and wade take pay cuts but he takes the max. he should take less than 20 mil.

He will gain respect from me if DEMANDS the max.

[lakerspng]

LeBron deserves the max if anyone in the league does. players like him are the reason there is a max. If he sells himself short of value, long term it's bad for the players. It will just allow owners to push down that ceiling. He should seek and get the max, wherever he plays.

[PJR]

i will lose some respect for him if bosh and wade take pay cuts but he takes the max. he should take less than 20 mil.

I'm a diehard Heat, and am more partial to Wade, than I am to LeBron, and I wouldn't lose an ounce of respect at all all.

LeBron is the only player worth the true max on the Heat. He's the face of the league, and he'll be paid his market value. Plus he already took a pay cut initially in 2010 to bring this thing together.

Neither Wade or Bosh are max players at this point in their career. They know that. So this shouldn't be taken as some insult. But it's not like they aren't going to be taken care off. Bosh is going to get like 80 million over 5 years, and Wade is going to get like 60 over 4.

They're still going to be eating good.

[FLDFSU]

I'm sure the Lakers will offer him a max contract, but I doubt he leaves Miami.

how does that meeting go with wade and bosh the other day?

LeBron: okay guys, for the good of the team you both need to opt out and take pay cuts so we can bring in some help.

Wade: what about you?

LeBron: I'm opting out as well brah!

Bosh: cool, so what help we gonna bring in?

LeBron: Me. Either you give me half your money for helping your weak @sses to the finals last year, or I leave. Deal?

Well Bosh does owe Lebron 1/2 his salary for the last 3 years...

[chopchop20]

LeBron deserves the max if anyone in the league does. players like him are the reason there is a max. If he sells himself short of value, long term it's bad for the players. It will just allow owners to push down that ceiling. He should seek and get the max, wherever he plays.

Agree 100%.

Owners don't give back PROFITS. Anybody out here lowering ticket prices and concessions to "give back" to the fans, to make it more affordable for families to attend games?

[MC Gusto]

As Kobe so eloquently pointed out, it's not just about one player. It's about protecting the earning potential of ALL players.

Star players should make Star money. Doesn't make sense for revenues to keep growing every year and have LeBron making less money than Gilbert Arenas did 6- 7 years ago.

Owners need to stop trying to hustle; raise the cap to a level that makes more sense for compensating the elite guys who drive the revenue.
Bron made less money than Gilbert Arenas did this year too. :roll:

[(e)]

Well Bosh does owe Lebron 1/2 his salary for the last 3 years...
Lebron has turned Bosh into a spot up shooter. Opt in Bosh, get yo money!

[MellowYellow]

Wade and Bosh better not opt out, wouldn't be financial responsible and winning doesn't help them it helps Lebron

[Quickening]

Bron made less money than Gilbert Arenas did this year too. :roll:

Lebron also earns 50 plus mill a year in endorsements

[Kingwillball]

Love all the heat haters hoping players opt in or take more money so Miami can't improve team.

[chopchop20]

Bron made less money than Gilbert Arenas did this year too. :roll:

Wow... that's totally blasphemy. :oldlol:

As long as the players keep acting like 'Boo Boo the Fool', this what you're gonna see

[chopchop20]

Lebron also earns 50 plus mill a year in endorsements

Key word is "earns"... he earned that money. Just like he's earned the right to have a max contract.

[MellowYellow]

Love all the heat haters hoping players opt in or take more money so Miami can't improve team.

No other players would opt out of those ridiculous contracts just to help out someone's legacy. It's like they don't care about their own careers just Lebrons.

[Quickening]

Key word is "earns"... he earned that money. Just like he's earned the right to have a max contract.

He doesn't want money, he wants championships... he has earned the right to whatever contract will make him the happiest.

Why does he care about losing 5 mill a year in salary when by making the finals he doubles that in endorsements.

[chips93]

Honestly, this would be a real dick move by Lebron. If players like Harlem are taking a payout to help the team, Lebron damn well better do the same.

lebron at 20 ish million is still a bargain

the nbas middle class, guys like haslem, all get over paid anyway

[IncarceratedBob]

LeBron doesn't care about money. He donates over 60% of his yearly earnings to various charities

[20Four]

LeBron doesn't care about money. He donates over 60% of his yearly earnings to various charities
This nikka pulling numbers out of his ^ss :roll: :roll:
http://i.minus.com/ibys4B5v3xugXO.gif

[chopchop20]

He doesn't want money, he wants championships... he has earned the right to whatever contract will make him the happiest.

Why does he care about losing 5 mill a year in salary when by making the finals he doubles that in endorsements.

Playing for the max means that he cares less about winning?

And if the responsibility of winning in Miami is mostly on LeBron, shouldn't he get to be the GM? His decisions seem to carry the most weight -- why not get to make all of the decisions on personnel and coaching?

Why don't the owners care as much about winning. Surely if they did, there would be no salary cap. Owners would willingly spend top dollar to build most talented roster possible, right?

[MC Gusto]

Lebron also earns 50 plus mill a year in endorsements
We're clearly only talking about NBA contracts....

[Vancouver-Grizz]

Good for him....He is the only Heat player that should be paid the max! He is the best player in the world right now and there is no way semi-superstars other teams should be making more then him.

[MC Gusto]

No other players would opt out of those ridiculous contracts just to help out someone's legacy. It's like they don't care about their own careers just Lebrons.
While we're on the subject of Arenas, Wade taking less money would probably help out his own legacy. The worst thing that could happen to him is that he becomes Arenas on the Magic while still making $20 mil a year and is forever remembered for that instead of "fall down 7 times, get up 8".

[chopchop20]

While we're on the subject of Arenas, Wade taking less money would probably help out his own legacy. The worst thing that could happen to him is that he becomes Arenas on the Magic while still making $20 mil a year and is forever remembered for that instead of "fall down 7 times, get up 8".

Who's making the Heat pay Wade $20 mil?

[D-Rose]

Apparently a max deal would give him an average of 26 mill/year, BUT since contracts work as pay increases every year....his first year is at $20 million. 15, 15, 20 for the Big 3 seems fair.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Where are all the LeBron Stans that were calling Kobe greedy for taking the extension he did and handicapping his team's salary cap situation? :confusedshrug:

I think this finally puts to bed the myth that LeBron is all about championships and winning rings.

Or that he's "the greatest teammate ever"

Uh, the difference is that LeBron is actually WORTH a max contract. Kobe can't even stay on the court at this point in his career.

Kobe is getting max money based off what he did in 2010, LeBron is getting max money based on what he's going to do for the duration of his contract.

[MC Gusto]

Who's making the Heat pay Wade $20 mil?
Nobody, but if we're talking about Wade and Bosh taking a pay cut to protect someone's legacy, it should be to protect their own legacy.

[lakerspng]

Uh, the difference is that LeBron is actually WORTH a max contract. Kobe can't even stay on the court at this point in his career.

Kobe is getting max money based off what he did in 2010, LeBron is getting max money based on what he's going to do for the duration of his contract.

Kobe's not getting max money, max deal for him could have been several million more. he took at 27% pay cut. 23.5 million as opposed to 32 million for next year which would have been a max contract extension.

If he's healthy, as he states he is, it will be worth it for him and the organization.

[Artillery]

Where are all the LeBron Stans that were calling Kobe greedy for taking the extension he did and handicapping his team's salary cap situation? :confusedshrug:

I think this finally puts to bed the myth that LeBron is all about championships and winning rings.

Or that he's "the greatest teammate ever"

Lebron deserves a max contract. Best player in the world.

Kobe making 30 million just to average 13 ppg and recuperate his fat ass on company time is one of worst contracts in NBA history. Nobody should be paying this fat, washed-up turd that much money:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrMZa7OCEAA6gEJ.jpg

[chopchop20]

Kobe's not getting max money, max deal for him could have been several million more. he took at 27% pay cut. 23.5 million as opposed to 32 million for next year which would have been a max contract extension.

If he's healthy, as he states he is, it will be worth it for him and the organization.

Especially for the organization if they don't sign any other star players within the next 2 years.

[protox]

Kobe's not getting max money, max deal for him could have been several million more. he took at 27% pay cut. 23.5 million as opposed to 32 million for next year which would have been a max contract extension.

If he's healthy, as he states he is, it will be worth it for him and the organization.

He didn't really take a pay cut. No one would was going to offer him a 30+ mill contract.

[lakerspng]

Especially for the organization if they don't sign any other star players within the next 2 years.

exactly. this season interest in the team faded with Kobe sidelined and terrible play from the rest of the team. the organization cannot afford that. We actually had a couple non-sellout games. guaranteeing Kobe is on the floor, guarantees sellouts and jersey sales. it gives them a couple years security to find someone to take his place to guarantee fan interest.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Kobe's not getting max money, max deal for him could have been several million more. he took at 27% pay cut. 23.5 million as opposed to 32 million for next year which would have been a max contract extension.

If he's healthy, as he states he is, it will be worth it for him and the organization.

Worth it in the sense that he puts butts in the seats and sells jerseys, not worth it in the sense that he's an 18ppg SG who can't play defense. Also not worth it in the sense that he's going to clog the cap to an extent that they won't sniff the playoffs for the next two years.

[lakerspng]

He didn't really take a pay cut. No one would was going to offer him a 30+ mill contract.

if you go from making 30 million to making 23 million, it's a pay cut, regardless of the situation.

If other teams know he's healthy going into this season and he's a free agent, I guarantee you he'd have at least a dozen offers around 25 million. teams would quadruple that money in jersey sales alone, what to speak of attendance and revenue from nationally televised games.

[lakerspng]

Worth it in the sense that he puts butts in the seats and sells jerseys, not worth it in the sense that he's an 18ppg SG who can't play defense. Also not worth it in the sense that he's going to clog the cap to an extent that they won't sniff the playoffs for the next two years.

if Kobe's healthy, you know he's not averaging 18 ppg. come on.

the NBA is a business, a contract is a business decision, that's all there is to it. It's worth it for any team to have a star like Kobe on their roster, even if it means paying him more than they think he's actually worth at this point in his career in on the court impact.

[chopchop20]

exactly. this season interest in the team faded with Kobe sidelined and terrible play from the rest of the team. the organization cannot afford that. We actually had a couple non-sellout games. guaranteeing Kobe is on the floor, guarantees sellouts and jersey sales. it gives them a couple years security to find someone to take his place to guarantee fan interest.

Keep telling people that this a FAR better deal for Lakers organization.

Kobe's value to the team has never been. Imagine if Kobe walked in free agency...

1. You'd be stuck with a team with average talent and hardly and star attraction (maybe Swaggy P could keep a few people in the seats).

2. Organization would be endlessly crucified for losing one of the most beloved players in franchise history.

3. You'd officially be the 'other' team in LA

Kobe could have easily used his leverage to jack the Lakers for $32mil/yr

[zoom17]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrMZa7OCEAA6gEJ.jpg[/QUOTE]

He became so fat.

[Doranku]

F*ck LeBron but he's the best god damn player on the planet. I'd want a max contract too.

[KBaller33]

What was the point of Wade and Bosh opting out then?

[gts]

Uh, the difference is that LeBron is actually WORTH a max contract. Kobe can't even stay on the court at this point in his career.

Kobe is getting max money based off what he did in 2010, LeBron is getting max money based on what he's going to do for the duration of his contract.

Kobe's 9 million under his max and most sane people would wait to see a player actually play before they assign a value

Kobe has done nothing but be an elite player in his career, I'm thinking waiting to see how he performs next season is how we'll determine if his new contract was worth it or not... Certainly not going to be determined with your salty comments several months before the season starts

[lakerspng]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrMZa7OCEAA6gEJ.jpg

He became so fat.[/QUOTE]

hard to get cardio in when you can't put any weight on one of your feet. I'm sure he looks nothing like that now

[bagelred]

Didn't the guy learn ANYTHING from watching the Spurs?

[Doranku]

Didn't the guy learn ANYTHING from watching the Spurs?

He's the best player on the planet. Max contracts exist for a reason... to be given to the best players. And he is the best of the best.

If the Heat organization isn't able to surround Bron with a championship team because they gave him a max contract, that's on them. Not LeBron.

[gts]

Didn't the guy learn ANYTHING from watching the Spurs?
Yeah he did.. he learned if the Spurs comeback as a unit next season he may as well go for the cash because he ain't winning no rings :lol

[Artillery]

Kobe's 9 million under his max and most sane people would wait to see a player actually play before they assign a value

Kobe has done nothing but be an elite player in his career, I'm thinking waiting to see how he performs next season is how we'll determine if his new contract was worth it or not... Certainly not going to be determined with your salty comments several months before the season starts

Simmons said on draft night that Kobe's getting paid more than Duncan/Parker/Ginobili combined. That's a bad contract no matter how you try to spin it. It also makes Kobe's BS about "doing whatever it takes to win" ring hollow. He's obviously satisfied with just putting up empty stats on bad teams for the remainder of his NBA career. Kobe being the "ultimate competitor" has always been nonsense made up by the LA media. Apparently, he's only the "ultimate competitor" when he has a stacked team and the GOAT coach. Otherwise, he's a loser that can't even lead his team out of the lottery.

[gts]

Simmons said on draft nightStopped reading right there...

[lakerspng]

Simmons said on draft night that Kobe's getting paid more than Duncan/Parker/Ginobili combined. That's a bad contract no matter how you try to spin it. It also makes Kobe's BS about "doing whatever it takes to win" ring hollow. He's obviously satisfied with just putting up empty stats on bad teams for the remainder of his NBA career. Kobe being the "ultimate competitor" has always been nonsense made up by the LA media. Apparently, he's only the "ultimate competitor" when he has a stacked team and the GOAT coach. Otherwise, he's a loser that can't even lead his team out of the lottery.

1. Simmons is wrong.

2. you're being trollish.

[r0drig0lac]

Yeah he did.. he learned if the Spurs comeback as a unit next season he may as well go for the cash because he ain't winning no rings :lol
:roll: :applause:

[oarabbus]

According to Woj

:biggums:

Forget about Gortat, Lowry and any other quality signing.


He wants the max? :wtf: who does he think he is, LeBron James?

[niko]

Lebron wants the max, Melo wants close to it. Alan Hahn has been saying this for days, Lebron opted out partially to put pressure on Miami, partially to get the max he felt he was cheated out of by the big three experiment and MIami cheaping out. I didn't think that was true but it seems to be playing out.

[RedBlackAttack]

The best player on the planet really probably should be getting a max contract. I understand the notion by fans that he would be better off as a player taking less money, but contracts are a point of pride for a lot of these guys.

The Heat are still paying the Cavaliers because James wanted that max in that S&T.

[Wavves]

This just shows how dumb Lebron haters really are.

>Wow Lebron and co takes less money and colludes the competition making the most stacked team of all time. FK LEBRON
>Wow Lebron wants max money, what an asshole he is doing a disservice to the team. FK LEBRON

:facepalm

[hawksdogsbraves]

1. Simmons is wrong.

2. you're being trollish.

Kobe Bryant contract 2013-2014: $30,453,805

Tim Duncan + Tony Parker + Manu Ginobli contracts 2013-2014: $30,361,446

The above fact tells you everything you need to know about why the Lakers are irrelevant and the Spurs are winning championships.

Also why you shouldn't take any of the garbage Kobe STANS spew seriously.

[IllegalD]

This just shows how dumb Lebron haters really are.

>Wow Lebron and co takes less money and colludes the competition making the most stacked team of all time. FK LEBRON
>Wow Lebron wants max money, what an asshole he is doing a disservice to the team. FK LEBRON

:facepalm

You could literally say the EXACT same thing about Kobe haters.

> Wow Kobe can only win when he has the most stacked teams ever. FK KOBE.
> Wow Kobe got a huge extension, what an asshole, crippling his team, I guess he's not "all about winning/the ultimate competitor. FK Kobe.

ISH hypocrisy/double-standard at its finest. :applause:

[LongLiveTheKing]

LeAlpha

[SpecialQue]

I love how Lebron fans immediately changed their tune from "Lebron's not greedy...he's doing what it takes to ensure he has a great TEAM" to "Lebron's the best player on the planet, of course he deserves the max." So answer me this...how the fvck are you going to surround Lebron with Wade and Bosh, go for Melo, and also get decent role players if Lebron wants the max? This has nothing to do with whether or not he deserves it. OF COURSE he deserves it. But this is a contradiction to what he says he wants.

[D-Rose]

I love how Lebron fans immediately changed their tune from "Lebron's not greedy...he's doing what it takes to ensure he has a great TEAM" to "Lebron's the best player on the planet, of course he deserves the max." So answer me this...how the fvck are you going to surround Lebron with Wade and Bosh, go for Melo, and also get decent role players if Lebron wants the max? This has nothing to do with whether or not he deserves it. OF COURSE he deserves it. But this is a contradiction to what he says he wants.
Like I said earlier, I'd pump the brakes on turning this story into a narrative until we see anyone agree to a contract and know the figures.

[Derka]

Good, he should get it.

[Wavves]

You could literally say the EXACT same thing about Kobe haters.

> Wow Kobe can only win when he has the most stacked teams ever. FK KOBE.
> Wow Kobe got a huge extension, what an asshole, crippling his team, I guess he's not "all about winning/the ultimate competitor. FK Kobe.

ISH hypocrisy/double-standard at its finest. :applause:
You are not wrong!

[SpecialQue]

Like I said earlier, I'd pump the brakes on turning this story into a narrative until we see anyone agree to a contract and know the figures.

Good point, but it's hilarious seeing how they IMMEDIATELY changed their tunes on this issue.

[SpecialQue]

New link:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24600551/report-lebron-james-seeking-max-deal-from-miami-plus-roster-upgrades


The speculative idea after Dwyane Wade opted out Saturday was that he did so with assurances that James would return. With Bosh still undecided on whether to leave behind $20.5 million next season and over $42 million overall and reportedly asking for over $15 million per year, and if James were to indeed ask for the max at $26 million per season ... that gets awfully complicated in trying to build a superteam.

That's $41 million between those two players, with a projected salary cap at $62 million. Miami can of course go over the cap to re-sign the Big 3, but the timing of how they execute deals to construct an upgraded roster has to be perfect. Otherwise, it could significantly hamper their ability to re-tool the roster with players like Kyle Lowry or quality veterans, much less another star like Carmelo Anthony. James' demands here seem a little bit paradoxical. "I want to take up $26 million in cap space and I want you to build a deep, talented team that can win a title."

[D-Rose]

Just as I expected:



Windhorst:

In recent days, teams that have hoped to schedule pitch meetings with James once the free-agency period begins next week have been unable to do so, sources told ESPN.com.

I don't think he's even going to sit down with anyone else. His agent will field a few phone calls at the most IMO.

[JohnFreeman]

Deserves the max

[Hotlantadude81]

Honestly, this would be a real dick move by Lebron. If players like Harlem are taking a payout to help the team, Lebron damn well better do the same.

Haslem is lucky to still be in the league at all. So no... Lebron should not take a pay cut just because Haslem does.

[TylerOO]

LeBron aint taking the max. I know him better than all of you on here. GTFO

[Fork]

LeBron aint taking the max. I know him better than all of you on here. GTFO


Did he give you a little something last night? Since you know him so well

[JtotheIzzo]

[QUOTE=J Shuttlesworth]While Bosh, Wade and Haslem could ultimately take less money with the early termination outs in their deals, [B]James, the NBA's four-time MVP, is seeking a full maximum contract extension

[DStebb716]

LeBron's max is only $20.2M for the people who don't seem to know how NBA deals work.

[Paul George 24]

LeBron aint taking the max. I know him better than all of you on here. GTFO
who are u ????????:confusedshrug:

[alanLA92]

Besides 2011, Lebron has carried the Heat to 2 titles and 3 finals. Deserves the max.

[TylerOO]

who are u ????????:confusedshrug:

Brian Windhorst.

[Crimsonrain777]

LeBron might be paying these dudes off kinda like how Wade gave haslem 3 million of his own money so that he could stay on the Heat for a smaller contract

do you have any proof to this? just curious:confusedshrug:

[Nash]

as i said before, Woj has insider at the NBA offices and can get information about imminent trades already were the league has been warned about them maybe happening and draft picks as he did when he announced picks before adam silver but woj has no real sources inside teams. Just because Woj said it doesn't mean its true, I would be extremely surprised if Lebron takes the max and takes up 26m out of the salary cap.

[D-Rose]

as i said before, Woj has insider at the NBA offices and can get information about imminent trades already were the league has been warned about them maybe happening and draft picks as he did when he announced picks before adam silver but woj has no real sources inside teams. Just because Woj said it doesn't mean its true, I would be extremely surprised if Lebron takes the max and takes up 26m out of the salary cap.
If he does take max, it will take up only 20 the first year. Will increase, so avg will be 26 over 5 yrs.

[BlazerRed]

So he should.. dude is worlds better than Wade and Bosh, no way should those guys be getting paid the same amount.

[TheMan]

Why would the Heat even want Haslem, dude is garbage right now.

[Baller1986]

Why would the Heat even want Haslem, dude is garbage right now.


Not against Hibbert.

[TheMan]

Not against Hibbert.
Lol

[houston]

Lmao Wade and Bosh leave money on the table to help Lebron's legacy while he gets max money. These guys are either incredibly stupid or naive.


this man gets it

[NumberSix]

LeBron will take a paycut if it is to get another good player.

[greymatter]

Asking Bosh and Wade to collectively take over 10M a year pay cuts for the next 2 years between them while Lebron gets max is a dickish move. Assuming Wade takes about 10M/year, Bosh 15/M, and Lebron 20M, then that only leaves 36M (81 total before heavy luxury tax kicks in) for the 12 remaining spots (should they decide to keep 3 on IR which most teams do).

Let's just say they sign 7 guys to the minimum and they come out to about 9M. That leaves about 26M for 2 starters and 3 regular rotation guys off the bench.

Lowry's value is being pegged in the 9/10M range. Gortat will almost certainly be offered more than that b/c a solid double-double good defensive center gets overpaid in today's league. He'll probably get offered in the 11+M range. Both these guys are 28 and 30. They'll both be looking for their last big contracts. Miami can only realistically make a move for 1 of them and even then, that would be at the expense of being really thin on the bench (as usual), likely relying on the elderly in Allen, Birdman, and Lewis to spell most of the minutes.

Who the Heat will choose would seem like a tough choice. They have heavy needs at both PG and C and are almost certainly limited to only one or the other. I'd have to lean toward Gortat as top priority. He's a very good pick and roll player and would definitely feast playing off Lebron.

Wade falling off even more next year and playing only 50 games is almost a certainty. Unless Napier turns out a huge overachiever relative to his draft position and the Heat at least get either Lowry, Gortat, or Pau Gasol, they're probably going to lose again in Finals next season to the West's best.

[chopchop20]

Asking Bosh and Wade to collectively take over 10M a year pay cuts for the next 2 years between them while Lebron gets max is a dickish move. Assuming Wade takes about 10M/year, Bosh 15/M, and Lebron 20M, then that only leaves 36M (81 total before heavy luxury tax kicks in) for the 12 remaining spots (should they decide to keep 3 on IR which most teams do).

Let's just say they sign 7 guys to the minimum and they come out to about 9M. That leaves about 26M for 2 starters and 3 regular rotation guys off the bench.

Lowry's value is being pegged in the 9/10M range. Gortat will almost certainly be offered more than that b/c a solid double-double good defensive center gets overpaid in today's league. He'll probably get offered in the 11+M range. Both these guys are 28 and 30. They'll both be looking for their last big contracts. Miami can only realistically make a move for 1 of them and even then, that would be at the expense of being really thin on the bench (as usual), likely relying on the elderly in Allen, Birdman, and Lewis to spell most of the minutes.

Who the Heat will choose would seem like a tough choice. They have heavy needs at both PG and C and are almost certainly limited to only one or the other. I'd have to lean toward Gortat as top priority. He's a very good pick and roll player and would definitely feast playing off Lebron.

Wade falling off even more next year and playing only 50 games is almost a certainty. Unless Napier turns out a huge overachiever relative to his draft position and the Heat at least get either Lowry, Gortat, or Pau Gasol, they're probably going to lose again in Finals next season to the West's best.

Don't get caught up in the media hype about the money. LeBron should MAN up and take the max. It'll work out fine for all of the other guys. I already figured it all out #You'reWelcome


I'd imagine that this is what Pat Riley has sold the guys on....

1. The NBA is gonna sign a new TV deal that will go into effect in 2015 (I think). The new deal which will undoubtedly double the current $930 million/yr. Expect the new deal to be around $2 billion/yr.

2). Revenue will continue to grow via other streams each year.

3). Players will opt outta current CBA in 2016. Between now and then, the total pie will have roughly $1.5 billion added to it.

4). Heat players will sign 2 year deals now with player options for 2016. Players will opt out in 2016 and sign new deals for a cut of the bigger pie.

* I'm assuming that the horrible NBA Union doesn't get smacked again in 2016. They have a strong case for earning back 1-2 pts they lost last time. Afterall, these NBA franchises are selling for absurd amounts of money *