Flo-Rida
07-08-2010, 03:18 PM
This was posted on the Sun Sentinel website just 10 minutes ago and is different from the Broussard and Bucher reports as it has sources form this afternoon:
Quote:
Media speculation about LeBron James' future has given way to the cold reality inside NBA war rooms:
The overwhelming consensus among league executives is that Cleveland Cavaliers free-agent forward LeBron James is coming to South Florida to become a member of the Miami Heat.
An NBA team executive told the Sun Sentinel Thursday afternoon, "All of our contacts from CAA say he is coming to you guys."
CAA is Creative Artists Agency, the firm that not only represents James, but also Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors free-agent power forward Chris Bosh, who on Wednesday agreed to sign with the Heat.
Asked if he felt his team, which has stood as one of the finalists for James' services, or any other of the suitors had given up on hope of landing the two-time Most Valuable Player, the executive said, "Teams still are holding out hope."
James is scheduled to announce his decision at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
The executive also described a frantic landscape that had the Heat working overtime to clear sufficient salary cap space to not only add James, but also Washington Wizards free-agent forward Mike Miller.
The executive said Miller is a player that James has stressed a desire to play alongside.
To clear the needed salary cap space for Wade, Bosh, James and Miller, the Heat would need to trade forward Michael Beasley, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Even then the math is complex, with Miller having received an offer from the Los Angeles Clippers that averages nearly $9 million a season.
As a fallback, the Heat was discussing a trade with Philadelphia that would send Beasley out in exchange for former Heat 3-point specialist Jason Kapono.
As it is, Heat President Pat Riley has a plan in place that would have Wade, Bosh and James receiving less than the maximum $16.6 million they could receive for 2010-11. Riley has briefed each of the players and their representatives about the approach.
Riley also has been working to complete a sign-and-trade transaction to help Bosh receive a larger overall package.
Free agents with the tenure of Wade, James and Bosh can receive six-year, $125 million packages when signing with their own team, but are limited to a maximum of $96 million over five years when signing with an outside team. A sign-and-trade with the Raptors would allow Bosh to receive the larger contract.
The tenor of those conversations between Riley and Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo has been tense, with sources familiar with the dialogue saying the two had reached the point of argument Wednesday.
A league executive said he expected Colangelo to eventually agree to a sign-and-trade to at least get something in return for Bosh, even if only draft choices.
"Bryan will act in the best interests of the franchise," the executive said.
ESPN reported early Thursday morning that the Heat had emerged as the favorite to sign James, saying "all indications" are James will join the Heat.
The network since has reduced the tone of that conviction, but continues to list the Heat as the front-runner.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/m...,3786304.story
Quote:
Media speculation about LeBron James' future has given way to the cold reality inside NBA war rooms:
The overwhelming consensus among league executives is that Cleveland Cavaliers free-agent forward LeBron James is coming to South Florida to become a member of the Miami Heat.
An NBA team executive told the Sun Sentinel Thursday afternoon, "All of our contacts from CAA say he is coming to you guys."
CAA is Creative Artists Agency, the firm that not only represents James, but also Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors free-agent power forward Chris Bosh, who on Wednesday agreed to sign with the Heat.
Asked if he felt his team, which has stood as one of the finalists for James' services, or any other of the suitors had given up on hope of landing the two-time Most Valuable Player, the executive said, "Teams still are holding out hope."
James is scheduled to announce his decision at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
The executive also described a frantic landscape that had the Heat working overtime to clear sufficient salary cap space to not only add James, but also Washington Wizards free-agent forward Mike Miller.
The executive said Miller is a player that James has stressed a desire to play alongside.
To clear the needed salary cap space for Wade, Bosh, James and Miller, the Heat would need to trade forward Michael Beasley, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Even then the math is complex, with Miller having received an offer from the Los Angeles Clippers that averages nearly $9 million a season.
As a fallback, the Heat was discussing a trade with Philadelphia that would send Beasley out in exchange for former Heat 3-point specialist Jason Kapono.
As it is, Heat President Pat Riley has a plan in place that would have Wade, Bosh and James receiving less than the maximum $16.6 million they could receive for 2010-11. Riley has briefed each of the players and their representatives about the approach.
Riley also has been working to complete a sign-and-trade transaction to help Bosh receive a larger overall package.
Free agents with the tenure of Wade, James and Bosh can receive six-year, $125 million packages when signing with their own team, but are limited to a maximum of $96 million over five years when signing with an outside team. A sign-and-trade with the Raptors would allow Bosh to receive the larger contract.
The tenor of those conversations between Riley and Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo has been tense, with sources familiar with the dialogue saying the two had reached the point of argument Wednesday.
A league executive said he expected Colangelo to eventually agree to a sign-and-trade to at least get something in return for Bosh, even if only draft choices.
"Bryan will act in the best interests of the franchise," the executive said.
ESPN reported early Thursday morning that the Heat had emerged as the favorite to sign James, saying "all indications" are James will join the Heat.
The network since has reduced the tone of that conviction, but continues to list the Heat as the front-runner.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/m...,3786304.story