NBA Offseason Thread.

[Hootie]

ESPN reporting Toronto finalizing Bosh sign and trade with Miami. Also reporting LeBron is leaning towards returning to Cleveland.

[st.lewis11]

Listening to Colin Cowherd this morning on my way to work, he predicted Lebron would stay in Cleveland, saying he didn't want his mom exposed to media in the larger markets.

[MrCrowesGarden]

If the Bosh sign and trade is true (and they sign Wade, which sounds like a foregone conclusion at this point), they'll be the only two players on the Heat roster. Chalmers and Beasley was all that was left.

[Socnorb11]

ESPN reporting Toronto finalizing Bosh sign and trade with Miami. Also reporting LeBron is leaning towards returning to Cleveland.

If true, then where does that leave the Bulls (other than with a ton of cap space)?

Boozer and Joe Johnson?

[Leroy]

Listening to Colin Cowherd this morning on my way to work, he predicted Lebron would stay in Cleveland, saying he didn't want his mom exposed to media in the larger markets.

Plus his mom is exposing herself to that one guy.

[vinsanity]

A trade for Chris Paul?

Wow. In all seriousness, what pieces do you think the Cavs have that would even remotely entice the Hornets to trade Paul?

I was throwing [expletive] against the wall. Something may stick. You never know what's available by trade, or what under-valued commodity might become available. Pippen was traded for a bag of flat basketballs and extra netting. The point is, you often see trades and deals you never expected, or previously under the radar players stepping up in a different system/city/coach/team.

There'll be some decent players hitting the market in the next two years that can improve that team. I think they are adding by subtraction with Shaq. If Mo Williams or Jamison mature a little and can pick up some slack if James has an off night - they are in the finals this year. I'm sure the Bulls would hate to see it (and I don't know how he compares to Mo), but isn't Washington looking to move Hinrich?

Jamison is 34 and has played in the post-season 6 out of the last 9 seasons. I'm not sure what maturing you think he'll do.

The maturing comment was directed more at Mo than Jamison and has maybe 'stepping up in big games' is a better way to say it, but the point still remains. Had the supporting cast played an ounce that series when James was off, they might have one.

As for Cleveland getting to the finals this year, anything is possible of course but can you honestly tell me that the Cavs are better positioned than the Magic, Celtics, or the Heat and Bulls with 2 max FAs a piece?

Nope. I can't. More importantly, never did say there were in a better position for next year, or even the year after. In fact:

I know that you want him to stay but do you really believe that the Cavs give him the best chance to win championships now and in the near future?

Next season? Nope. The season after? Maybe. The year after that and in to the future? I'd say they have about as good a chance as anyone else.

Though you are assuming both the Heat and Bulls sign max FA's. My whole point on this is pretty simple: whoever LeBron is on is a contender. While him+Bosh him+Johnson, Him+2 Max FA's are in a better position to win next year (most likely), that doesn't rule Cleveland out as a place to win the most titles over the course of his career/contract.

[Socnorb11]

I kinda agree with Vinsantiy. Cleveland isn't alwasy going to be hamstrung with the players/contracts that they currently have.

Michael Jordan didn't win his first championship until he was 28 years old...... and his legacy in Chicago will live forever.

I still think that Lebron's legacy is going to be greater if he stays in Cleveland and eventually wins a championship or five. Jordan brought championships to the Bulls....... he didn't chase them elsewhere. Kobe, Magic, Bird, Dwyane, Duncan...... they all brought championships to their teams, rather than seeking them elsewhere.

[vinsanity]

I still think that Lebron's legacy is going to be greater if he stays in Cleveland and eventually wins a championship or five. Jordan brought championships to the Bulls....... he didn't chase them elsewhere. Kobe, Magic, Bird, Dwyane, Duncan...... they all brought championships to their teams, rather than seeking them elsewhere.

That's not something I had thought about. Well said.

Didn't they all play for one team their whole career too?

[Socnorb11]

I still think that Lebron's legacy is going to be greater if he stays in Cleveland and eventually wins a championship or five. Jordan brought championships to the Bulls....... he didn't chase them elsewhere. Kobe, Magic, Bird, Dwyane, Duncan...... they all brought championships to their teams, rather than seeking them elsewhere.

That's not something I had thought about. Well said.

Didn't they all play for one team their whole career too?

Well, Jordan had that stint at the end of his career that we would just as soon forget about.

It's hard to come up with players that left their original team, won championships elsewhere, and left a legacy. Kevin Garnett went to the Celtics and won a championship, but I would hardly call him a "legend" on Boston. I'm not saying that Lebron James couldn't be that guy...... but there certainly seems to be a pattern of players that are admired for what they did for their teams, rather than seeking fame & fortune elsewhere.

[vinsanity]

Byron Scott takes the Cav's Job
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... gD9GM8IHG0

3 Rings as a player, pretty good track record as a coach.

As a coach, Scott led some lesser-talented Nets teams to the finals and had a solid relationship with star Jason Kidd that unraveled toward the end of the point guard's time in New Jersey. In New Orleans, Scott took the Hornets on a surprising run to the Western Conference finals and was close with guard Chris Paul, who is James' best friend in the league.

Paul is a FA in 2 years, no?