by vonkaar » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:40 am
I don't know why these shit-market cities keep freeing up cap room for the big 2010 names like that. They are ALL going to get MAX contracts, so they are just going to go where the endorsement deals make the most sense, they have personal ties or they have the best chance of winning.
Let's say that in 2010, these teams all have sufficient money to throw at LBJ, D-Wade, Bosh, Amare and Melo. All of them have either been in the news as potential suitors, or have openly stated that they are targeting the 2010 free-agency.
Memphis
Atlanta
New Jersey (Brooklyn) Nets
Oklahoma City
Dallas
San Antonio
Sacramento
Detroit
New York Knicks
Charlotte
And... Denver, Cleveland, Miami and Toronto would love to keep their players...
For argument's sake, we'll say that the max deal for these guys is $138m over 7 years in 2010. All of those teams are capable of offering the same terms, without having to drop any sign and trades or any silliness into the mix. Why would any of the 4 big names choose Atlanta, Memphis, OKC, Charlotte or Sacramento? Tiny market... no local endorsements... no massive-media deals... none of them even have a history of winning, great coaches or dynamic owners that 'sweeten' the deals. No reason to go there. So why do these teams bother trying to play into the market when they know so many other 'more qualified' teams are as well?
Next you have the 'winner' teams like Detroit and San Antonio. SA isn't a major market, but you basically get the chance to 'replace' Tim Duncan. Great owner, dynasty organization... They aren't targeting LBJ, they are going after Chris Bosh in 2010... and I bet they'll get him. As for Detroit, I think they'll try and repent their Darko mistake and go after Bosh, but they aren't big enough of a market for anyone... Flip isn't 'that' big of a deal... the city is depressing... and while Davidson is a great owner, I don't see Detroit as enough of a 'package' to entice anyone over any other destination. edit: Actually, there are 2 reports this morning about Detroit and Bosh... heh.. coincidence...
That leaves NY, Brooklyn & Dallas as the obvious destinations - IF they leave. Miami could very well lock Wade up next year. I think that depends on how well Beasely performs. Wade won't want to play the rest of his career on a losing team. Toronto has a decent shot at securing Chris Bosh, though I imagine he'd love to come back to his home state... dude has to be freezing his Texan ass off up there. Carmelo seems to be restless, and up until dumping Iverson, Denver seemed ready to move him. Not so sure now. Of everyone, Lebron is obviously the most anxious to leave.
The Knicks are the biggest market, but have the worst history of management and ownership over the past 5 years. Would LBJ want to move into that organization, even if D'Antoni has slightly turned it around? 10th in the East, at best. The Net's have the Jay-Z connection, better management and a little better talent...
And then there's Dallas =)
Gaazy wrote:Now vonk on the other hand, is one of the most self absorbed know it alls in my memory of this site. Ive always thought so, and I still cant understand why in gods name he is here