Poll: Will LeBron James Return To Cavs In 2014?
Anyone who has either visited Miami or has the good fortune of living there knows that it's the kind of place that you don't want to leave. Fantastic weather, Cuban sandwiches, pretty girls, the ability to wear an abundance of white without getting made fun of – Miami has it all. LeBron James has gotten to toss the Labor Day rule to the wayside while enjoying all of the roast pork he could ever want for two years and change while being at the center of one of the league's most dominant teams. It's inconceivable to some that James would leave Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh by opting out after the 2013/14 season, yet some league executives and agents are absolutely convinced that he will use the opportunity to make a face turn and reverse the infamous "Decision" by returning to Cleveland in that summer.
On the surface, it seems incredibly unlikely that James would walk away from one of the strongest teams in the NBA in order to join forces with a team that still may be under construction in 18 months, even with a blossoming superstar in Kyrie Irving. And while some superteams have reportedly dealt with locker room drama (we're looking at you, Dwight and Kobe), the Heat have by and large stayed as a cohesive unit and found enough shots for everyone.
On the other hand, we already know that LeBron doesn't have any reservations about following his heart and changing zip codes if he feels that it's the best move to make. When LeBron is faced with the first of his two-opt out years with Miami, he'll be closing in on his 30th birthday and hearing the chatter about his legacy and place amongst the all-time greats more than ever. Winning a title with a Cavs team that likely won't have the same top-heavy roster as the Heat would be a massive plus for his resume. Nuggets coach George Karl is a believer. Are you?
Will LeBron Return To Cleveland?
-
No 64% (1,409)
-
Yes 36% (787)
Total votes: 2,196
Cavs Want 2014 Max Player, Possibly LeBron
Anderson Varejao is expected to be sidelined through the February 21st trade deadline, meaning that the standout forward likely will remain in Cleveland for the remainder of the year. The struggling Cavs could conceivably use other assets to get a healthy piece for the future, but Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that league executives and agents around the league are convinced the Cavaliers won’t do anything to jeopardize their ability to sign a free agent to a max contract in the summer after next season.
Of course, 2014 is the summer where LeBron James can again become a free agent if he exercises his player option. While it may seem farfetched for a number of reasons, more and more people around the league believe there is a strong possibility James will return to Cleveland after next season.
If the Cavs feel strongly about keeping their financial flexibility for that offseason, then they won’t pull the trigger on any players with three-year deals. The Cavs may not be stacked with assets, but they do have Luke Walton’s $6MM expiring contract and about $10MM in cap space to dangle to teams looking to move long-term commitments. In a largely cap-conscious league, those two things could fetch a significant piece in a trade, but it sounds as though the Cavs are looking for something much bigger.
Week In Review: 1/7/13 – 1/13/13
A look back at the biggest news stories from around the NBA over the past week.
- The week was dominated by speculation that the Maloof family was close to selling the Kings. First, a prospective deal to move the team to Virginia Beach fell through. Then, it was reported that a Seattle-based group led by Chris Hansen was close to a deal to acquire the team and move it to Seattle. However, the situation soon grew more cloudy, as Sacramento has redoubled its efforts to put together a competitive offer to keep the team. For the latest on the situation, click here.
- The Bucks and head coach Scott Skiles mutually agreed to part ways. Assistant Jim Boylan was promoted to interim head coach, and will finish out the 2012/13 season in that role.
- Phil Jackson stated that he is planning to stay retired. He had been heavily pursued by the Nets since their firing of Avery Johnson.
- The Grizzlies began aggressively shopping Rudy Gay, with the Suns, Raptors, Kings, Clippers, and Wizards all showing interest. Memphis is also testing the market for Zach Randolph.
- Lakers forward Jordan Hill will miss the remainder of the 2012/13 season with hip surgery.
- Luke Walton is considering retiring after this season.
- The Bulls are not looking to trade Richard Hamilton.
- The Pacers signed head coach Frank Vogel to a contract extension.
- Kevin Love underwent surgery on his right hand and will be out 8-10 weeks for the Timberwolves.
- Anderson Varejao underwent right leg surger and will miss 6-8 weeks for the Cavs.
- The Knicks reportedly have interest in signing veteran forward Kenyon Martin to a 10-day contract.
- Marcin Gortat said he will not ask for a trade from the Suns.
- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban assured Dirk Nowitzki that he will not be traded.
- Former no. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden is interested in an NBA comeback.
- The Rockets waived rookie point guard Scott Machado and signed Patrick Beverley.
- The Heat waived and then re-signed Josh Harrellson.
- The Heat also signed Jarvis Varnado to a 10-day contract.
- The Wizards waived Shelvin Mack.
- The Mavericks signed veteran guard Mike James.
- The Sixers re-signed Maalik Wayans to a 10-day contract.
- The Timberwolves re-signed Lazar Hayward to a 10-day contract.
- The Nets signed forward Damion James to a 10-day contract.
HoopsRumors Originals: 1/7/13 – 1/13/13
A look back at the original content produced by the HoopsRumors.com writing staff over the past week.
- HoopsRumors' Trade Candidate series continued with entries on Tyreke Evans (link) and Derrick Williams (link).
- A list of players whose contracts became guaranteed this week.
- A poll asking readers to weigh in on the week's biggest story, the Kings-to-Seattle rumors.
- A readers' poll asked where Rudy Gay will end up this season.
- A poll asking readers if the struggling Lakers will make the playoofs.
- HoopsRumors' weekly Hoops Links series rounded up the best reads in the NBA blogosphere.
- A transcript of Luke Adams' weekly reader chat.
- Keep up with all of the 10-day contracts signed by NBA teams with HoopsRumors' 10-Day Contract Tracker.
Eastern Notes: Bucks, Nets, Cavs, Oden
The latest news and notes from around the Eastern Conference on Sunday afternoon:
- Raptors head coach Dwane Casey tells Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he is not surprised that Scott Skiles was fired by the Bucks, noting the heavy turnover among coaches in recent years.
- Wes Szafran of the South Jersey Times writes that P.J. Carlesimo has done an excellent job since replacing Avery Johnson as head coach of the Nets.
- Cavs owner Dan Gilbert told fans to be patient with the team's rebuild in a recent television interview. Bob Finnan of the News-Herald has quotes.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer writes that Greg Oden deserves a chance to rehabilitate his NBA career, comparing his injury-plagued early years to those of former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who was able to put together a productive NBA career.
- Michael Lee of the Washington Post wonders if top overall draft picks are cursed, citing the recent injuries to John Wall and Kyrie Irving.
- Ryan Anderson tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post that the Dwight Howard drama was a distraction for the Magic players last season.
HoopsWorld On 2013 NBA Draft
Several writers for HoopsWorld.com weighed in on the 2013 NBA Draft in a new roundtable column debating who will be the top overall pick.
- Joel Brigham argues in favor of UCLA guard Shabazz Muhammed, praising his poise and saying he has the demeanor to be a star in the NBA.
- Steve Kyler thinks Kentucky center Nerlens Noel is worth the gamble that he will polish his game and become a game-changing big man.
- Susan Bible likes Anthony Bennett, writing that the UNLV power forward has been a surprise and played as well as some more high-profile prospects.
- Alex Kennedy thinks Indiana center Cody Zeller is the most NBA-ready prospect in the game, although he doesn't have as high a ceiling as some of the other prospects.
- Yannis Kotroupis doesn't think there's a clear-cut top pick, arguing that the NBA should abolish the age limit so Andrew Wiggins would be eligible for this year's draft instead of having to wait until 2014.
Kyler On Lakers, Redick, Grizzlies
Just as he did on Saturday, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.com answered some questions Sunday morning from his Twitter followers. Here are the highlights:
- Kyler does not expect the Lakers to trade Pau Gasol, noting that his hefty salary makes it difficult to find a fit. He says the Lakers are not interested in taking back another similar-sized contract for Gasol, and would prefer to break his cap hit into smaller pieces.
- Kyler says that, although former Blazers head coach Nate McMillan makes sense as an assistant coach for the Lakers, there is no incentive for him to take the job due to the Lakers' struggles and his enjoyment of spending time with his family (link).
- Kyler expects Magic guard J.J. Redick to get a contract similar to the four-year, $36MM deal Ryan Anderson signed with the Hornets. He does not think the Blazers would be a fit for Redick, given the presence of Wesley Matthews.
- Kyler doesn't think the Grizzlies will trade any of their key players unless the return helps them win now.
Winderman On Buyouts, Trade Candidates, Haslem
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel weighed in on a variety of topics about the Heat's roster and trade prospects on Sunday. Here are the highlights:
- In a new mailbag column, Winderman acknowledges that the Heat need big-man help, but suggests they wait on buyout candidates rather than settle for someone currently on the free-agent market. He lists Milwaukee's Samuel Dalembert as a possible buyout candidate.
- Winderman considers the Spurs' DeJuan Blair to be a viable trade candidate, and another reason why the Heat should be patient.
- Winderman gives an update on the legal situation of Chris Andersen, the former Nuggets big man who has been linked to the Heat in recent weeks.
- In a separate column, Winderman discusses the impact veteran bigs Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony have had on the Heat since being given bigger roles in the rotation.
Al Jefferson Not Expecting Trade
Veteran big man Al Jefferson has been one of the most talked-about names on the trading block this season, as the Jazz have a crowded frontcourt and he is headed for free agency this summer. However, Jefferson told Lang Greene of HoopsWorld.com that he does not expect to be traded before the February 21 deadline:
“It’s my ninth year in the league man,” Jefferson said to HOOPSWORLD regarding the trade rumors. “It’s just part of the business. My first couple of years in the league I used to be listening to the rumors daily and then I’d hear my name in those types of trade rumors. But this is my ninth year and its part of the business. There are things you’re just going to have to deal with. It’s just like you say they’re rumors, you know, so that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to be true. It’s a part of the game.”
Jefferson also expressed his desire to finish out the 2012/13 season in Utah, even if he understands he won't likely be re-signed this summer.
“The great thing about Utah’s crowd is that they’re not just there to watch basketball, they know basketball,” Jefferson said about his joy playing in Utah. “They’re on you if they know you’re supposed to be doing something that you’re not doing, but they truly support you. It’s a great feeling playing for them. It is good to play in front of people who know the game of basketball, who knows you’re not superman, can do everything or make every shot. Utah fans just want you to play hard and that’s something you can do, something you can control. It’s great playing in front of them.”
Jefferson, 28, is averaging 17.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG for the Jazz this season.
Kings/Seattle Rumors: Sunday
There has been no shortage of rumors over the past week about the future of the Sacramento Kings, whose owners the Maloof family are deciding whether or not to sell the team, and whether to do so with a Seattle group or one that will keep the team in Sacramento. Here's our post on all of the rumors on the subject from yesterday, which will continue to pour in today.
- Aaron Bruski of NBCSports.com writes that the Kings' arena proposal is “a model offer of public funds,” citing sources. He adds that if Sacramento's offer to buy the team from the Maloofs is comparable to that of the Seattle group, David Stern would have considerable power to force their hand in taking the former.
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com breaks down the Kings' chances to stay in Sacramento in a Sulia post. He writes that, contrary to previous reports, the Maloofs do not have a handshake agreement in place with the Chris Hansen-led group that would move the team to Seattle.
- Howard-Cooper writes that the Maloofs have not closed off talks with potential buyers outside of the Hansen group, an encouraging sign for those hoping to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Sacramento officials are still mobilizing, but there is a sense that the city has a "legitimate shot" at keeping their team.
- Howard-Cooper cautions that the wild card in these negotiations is the family dynamic of the Maloofs, who would almost certainly be out of the NBA for good if they sold the Kings. He notes that previous rumors about the Maloofs wanting to retain some kind of say in the running of the team after selling their majority stake are "laughable."