Don’t Fret, LeBron WILL Sign!
The countdown is on. Can you hear it? Kinda like the entrancing sound effects used for the clock on ‘24′. Everyone in Cleveland is counting the seconds until the Cavs can offer all-world phenom LeBron James a Max extension. This has been a hot topic for years in C-Town, essentially since the mintue they drafted ‘Bron. The race to build enough pieces around James to satisfy him so he wouldn’t pull a Jim Thome began that night and has continued until now culminating with a successful draft night on Wednesday. Even so, the worry worts out there are still holding their collective breath until word comes out on exactly what LeBron will do.
To be honest, I really can’t blame them. Most don’t understand the League’s hard to read, even harder to understand CBA. They also remember quite vividly the Carlos Boozer fiasco. Not to worry Cavs fans, what happened with Boozer CAN NOT happen with James.
I could get into the legal mumbo-jumbo of the CBA for you, but I don’t want to bore you. I will simply give you one small phrase to help you out. 5 years, 80 Million Dollars. I’ll give you a minute to read it again. 5 YEARS, EIGHTY MILLION DOLLARS!!! Why is it significant you ask? Here are a couple of reasons.
1 — The Cavaliers are the ONLY team that can offer James a contract at this time. You see, the original contract James signed with the Cavs was a 4-year deal worth about 12 Million Dollars, or roughly 3 Mil/year. James has played 3 years meaning he still IS UNDER contract for another season. The CBA allows the Cavs to extend James’ original rookie contract after the 3rd year for a maximum of 5 years. No other team can offer James ANYTHING!
2 — MAX contracts are based on a percentage of the salary cap for the season the contract goes into effect, so exact figures aren’t available. Most people see the contract to be worht somewhere between 75-80 million dollars over 5 years. Again, there is a certain way that this money get distributed, not the same over 5 years, but for ease of explanation let’s say it did. Your looking at a per year of between 15-16 Million Dollars per season, guarunteed. Right now, all ‘Bron is guarunteed is next year’s slary at about $4 Million. You do the math. $80 Million large or 3 Million not so large.
3 — To expound on the last point, NBA contracts are guarunteed. If LeBron signs the extension, and decides to go Shawn Kemp on us and gain 1000 pounds he still gets paid. For LeBron it is a smart business decision. Why risk injury for the next two years to become an unrestriced free agent when he could get around 80 Mill guarunteed right now? Are you starting to get it?
It’s that simple folks. Four players from the draft Class of ‘03 are expected to sign Max extensions this summer. James, Dwayne Wade in Miami(Obvious), Carmello Anthony in Denver(Obvious) and one that might surprise you - Chris Bosh in Toronto. Yes, THAT Toronto. Bosh came out a couple months ago and stated he would sign as soon as legally possible(July 12). SO if Bosh would re-up with a team like Toronto, why wouldn’t James do the same with an up and coming Cavs team that is in his own backyard to boot.
You still don’t have to believe me, but here are some comments from ESPN NBA Insider Marc Stein on the topic:
LeBron James. Carmelo Anthony. Chris Bosh. NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade.
All are eligible for five-year contract extensions this offseason worth around $80 million.
Repeat that figure out loud a few times and you’ll know why we’ve continually advised fans in Cleveland, Denver, Toronto and Miami to stop fretting. There is no uncertainty here.
The four best players from the 2003 draft will sign maximum contract extensions well before the Oct. 31 deadline. Look for all four to sign this month, actually.
Yes. That includes LeBron, who was never looking to leave on-the-rise Cleveland.
At their ages especially, you don’t turn down max money to wait two more years for unrestricted free agency. You take the money immediately and then, if you want a change of scenery later, you tell your agent to figure it out.
That should be clear by now, after two months of Bosh — who’s facing a climb to contention in Toronto better measured in years — telling anyone who asks that he’ll sign his extension as soon as he’s legally able to do so on July 12.
Is that enough for you?
It has been said many times, LeBron wants to win period. He wants to be known as one of the G.O.A.T.’s. As long as the Cavs continue to show they are committed to that end LeBron will call the Q his home. With a strong 50 win season behind them, some stability in the front office, an owner determined to do whatever it takes, and the core of a strong team beginning to take shape, LeBron figures to be here a long time.
Cavs fans, feel free to exhale.
