LeBron James will hit free agency after the season and his next move has been – and will be – one of the biggest stories in basketball. Based on past and recent comments, Howard Beck of Bleacher Report examines the possibilities surrounding James’ third stint in free agency.
Most of Beck’s story focuses on James’ motives as he looks for his next NBA contract. With three championships to his credit, it’s possible LeBron will not choose his next solely based on his best chance to win a title. Other factors will be in play, such as James’ desire to play with his close friends — and fellow impending free agents — Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade; lasting long enough to possibly play with or against his son; and establishing a media presence in a larger market. One major factor this summer will also be James’ strained relationship with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, Beck writes.
“Dan Gilbert’s not going to do what it takes to keep him,” one source speculatively said to Beck. “Not a chance in hell he’s going to give him a no-trade clause, or let him dictate contract terms.”
James has publicly said that any reports of his intentions this summer are false unless they come directly from him.
Check out other Cavaliers news below:
- Veteran George Hill was one of several players the Cavaliers acquired at the trade deadline as the team restructured the roster. Hill is happy to be back with a contending team that is in pursuit of a title, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes. “It’s a blessing,” Hill said. “I was in a tough situation. I thanked them for all they did, but I think my time there was done. To get another opportunity, not just to come and play but to possibly play for a championship is something that I’ve had early in my career going against him in Miami with the three-headed monster and the cat spoiling my summer. Now I get a chance to be a part of something special and get an opportunity to go to the Finals.”
- With a huge chunk of the roster consisting of new talent, the Cavaliers are aware it will take time to integrate the new talent with the current crop, Fedor writes in a separate story.
- After internal talks between front office personnel about a possible Kyrie Irving trade were relayed to Irving, it sealed his desire to be traded. For the future, the Cavaliers want to tighten up their communication channels to that private talks are not leaked, Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes.
LeBron works for Gilbert, not Gilbert for LeBron. Go get him Dan. Kyrie leaving was LeBron’s fault. It came straight from his mouth. He so not wanted to play with LeBron he threatened surgery and sitting out the season. How much more blunt can you get.
The Cavs $300 million next season I don’t think includes Green resigning. We’ll se if Gilbert ponies up a $160 million plus billion. Like LeBron not saying what he’ll do, Gilbert isn’t either.
Make that $160 million plus luxury tax.
Everything is always Lebron’s fault. Kyrie just wanted to chase his own legacy, nothing to do with Lebron. Lebron even said he was ready to hand over the keys to Kyrie; Kyrie just got desperate. Lebron is 34, he sees the sunset, Kyrie should have stayed but he wanted to act like a little kid instead of working things out.
You used to hate LeBron, what happened? Was it 4 likes and 94 dislikes?
My account got hacked.
This article is from NBC Sports. It says LeBron has always wanted to dictate terms. Gilbert isn’t going to do anything to give him leverage, and will do anything to chase him away. Where’s your 4 like 94 dislike comment?
I guess you didn’t listen to Kyrie. He loves the Celts though and that’s all that matters.
He also loves a flat earth. That matters as well.
If you listened to kyrie, hypocrite, you would see he wanted more personal development, and that you should be more woke.
YOU are the one obsessed with James.
LeBron killed my dog.
Lol!
For George Hill tonight: 6 points (2-10 from field, 0-4 3 point), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, get used to it. Tried to ell you he did this with Pacers, but he made $6-8 million a year then. They traded him to get Jeff Teague because he wasn’t a true point guard. May not be a worry, like Lance Stephenson, LeBron may not let him touch the ball!
It was 1 game dude, relax.
I watched him for 3 years with the Pacers dude! Darren Collison was the Pacers starter before Hill.
He will be ok. The last half of the second quarter and the last half of the 4th quarter LeBron drove to the basket every play and never passed the ball. I’m not alone. We Pacer fans know what to expect from Hill, that’s why they traded for Jeff Teague. What kind of 4 like 94 dislike comment do you have for this?
Lebron is the GOAT he can pass whenever he feels like he should.
LeBron is the goat allright. If I’m the other 4 Cavs I take a seat on the floor on the defensive end while LeBron does his 1 man show on offense. LeBron was doing zero passing. That’s what I call a team player. lol
Only way I give Lebron a no trade clause is if he re-signs for at least 3 years. None of these 1 for 1 deals anymore.
Gilbert may not give LeBron a contract.
Guess that means he’s selling the team, no Lebron no buttocks in those seats next season.
See the NBC Sports article, it’s humorous. Dan isn’t selling. He’s getting control back! Dan knows how to run a franchise. He’ll just have to run it like Detroit, Milwaukee, Indiana, and Chicago. He’ll find a Giannis, Oladipo, Drummond, Griffin, or Markkanen somewhere. And he’ll make money doing it.
If he wants to do something truly special I think lebron oughta sign with the sixers. Embiid, Simmons and Lebron? That team because really fun and really dangerous
Here’s crazyness. 1) Gilbert controls LeBron . Outside of Los Angeles, it’ll take a sign and trade to get LeBron. 2) Waive J.R. 3) Hope for top pick from Brooklyn to be DeAndre Ayton. Trade if they have to. 4) Hope PG13 signs with Lakers. Let Lakers sign Randle. Send Love to Lakers for Randle and Ingram. 5) Resign Hood and Jeff Green. 6) cut Hill after next season. 7) tell LeBron he can sign in China if he wants to. If he wants Rockets, it’ll take Capella and Gordon. If he wants GSW, it’ll take Iguadalla and Thompson.
Send LeBron in sign and trade to Philly for Covington, Saric, and 1st round pick.
Is it crack or meth?
Wrong. LeBron James came back with the agreement from Dan Gilbert the LeBron James runs the team. Sad to see Dan Gilbert go against his word.