Lebron has not met with any team either, his agent has. Same with Bosh. I don't think either need the vanity associated with parading around like a college recruiting trip, like Carmelo is. I think both had their fill the last time around. It's not like Bosh doesn't receive news from his agent. I don't take him being on vacation as a sign of anything except him owning a cellphone.

As the article from Grantland points out, it's not just a salary cut Bosh would have to take. For Heat to make the numbers work, Bosh and Wade would have to go from 20 mill each this season, to 24 mill. combined next. I'm sure Bosh was expecting a pay-cut, but that large of a pay-cut? That's steep. If the LeBron does want the max and the Houston offer is real, then it would be difficult for Bosh to stay. If he does, then he's better than the rest.

Someone called in the local sports radio show today to talk about the story. Stupid people who only read headlines.

Even with the exceptions, Bosh and Wade will have to take that big of a pay-cut. That was the point of the article, it already assumed that McRoberts and Granger counted as exceptions. The math doesn't work even with exceptions.

As Lowe stated, " But it asked for the opt-outs anyway, and it did so to save money. Here’s why: The new CBA includes an “apron” that is slotted $4 million above the tax line, which is projected at about $77 million for next season.3 That would put the “apron” at $81 million. Teams are banned from exceeding the apron, even by a single penny, if they engage in certain transactions after July 1. On that list: using the full midlevel, which the Heat have apparently just done with McRoberts.

If that proves to be the case, the Heat cannot go over that projected $81 million mark. Their three stars were slated to make about $61.5 million next season before they opted out. Tack on McRoberts, Granger, Napier, and Cole, and the Heat could see the apron fluttering just ahead of them before even thinking about what it might cost to bring back Ray Allen and Chris Andersen — incumbent players who, you know, actually helped last season."

For the Heat to fill a roster with any meaningful talent they need Bosh and Wade to take major cuts. Bosh and Wade need to clear 16 mill. combined, along with Udonis clearing 2-4 mill. would clear around 18-20 mill. to fill a roster and that's assuming the Heat hit the max tax ceiling, so 81 mill.(the Heat will probably want to be no higher than 75 mill.), in order to fill that roster and that's assuming they use every penny below that 81 mill. That's with them already using their exceptions. The Heat will go way over the salary cap, there's no doubt about that, but Bosh and Wade taking cuts would insure that they stay below the highly punitive apron which I'm pretty sure Heat ownership want to stay below, along with Riley.

I also buy-in to the thought that until James meets with a team then nothing is imminent.

But for the Cavs to be shedding this much cap-room on just a whim and a hope makes no sense. They wouldn't be making this move if they didn't believe they had more than a puncher's chance. And I don't mean just LeBron's agent talking to them. The Cavs wouldn't shed this much cap space on only the word of an agent. They must have more of an indication from LeBron's camp that he's more just having a passing thought of returning.

The fact that they're also reaching out to Ray Allen, Mike Miller, and James Jones (three guys that Miami would like to sign back at discounts) is also interesting.

This report by Woj is also interesting:

"LeBron James reached out to two vet free agents last week about joining him, IF he left Miami, sources tell Yahoo. Mike Miller was one."

When combined with who they're reaching out to it's obvious that the Cavs will try to sign LeBron with the max and then entice Ray Allen to do what he was going to do with Miami, take less to play with LeBron, and then add on either James Jones or Mike Miller (don't know if they could afford both. Probably not).

The fact that this move happens on the day that Lebron will meet with Riley is also interesting. One would think the Cavs would wait until they hear the results of the meeting before they would clear this cap-room.

If anything, all of this is entertaining. But, it's clear that something is happening behind the scenes.

Woo Hoo this is fun.

as an Ohioan, i'm excited about this - Cleveland sports fans deserve some happiness.

hopefully the Cavs get rid of those shitty current uniforms.

God bless.

Wow! I guess that means Bosh to Rockets.

Wonder what the Heat will do. Will Wade still be willing to take a huge pay-cut now? He's really all they've got. The only good thing for the Heat is that now they have a lot of salary cap room. They could out bid some people for the likes of Trevor Ariza, but this obviously resets everything. The East has just become very winnable for everyone.

Hopefully that means good things for my Bulls IF D-Rose comes back healthy. Might also make us more attractive to Carmelo because if he came, with Rose, Noah, and Melo, the Bulls would be pretty formidable. Getting ahead of myself now, but I'm very happy for Cleveland. That city deserves this.

I think it would be difficult for them to keep Wiggins and get Love. Guarantee the T-Wolves would ask for Wiggins in any Love deal. Since Love is still under contract, the T-Wolves are still in the driver's seat a bit.

I think it would take Wiggins, a couple of expiring contracts, and back to back first round picks, with a second round pick to get Love. That would be a steep price to pay for the Cavs. BUT, it's one that I'd pay, especially since their first rounders won't be worth that much and the book is still out on Wiggins.

I know LeBron said he had already decided he was going back to Cleveland (which I doubt), but I wonder how much that Pat Riley press conference turned him off.

The ironic thing about that press conference was that Riley got the big three not only because of his accomplishments and rings, but because he was enough of a visionary to try to do what no one else had done, unite three superstars, not three aging superstars like the Celtics, but three in their prime superstars. Yet, the only thing he spoke about in his press conference was what had been done in the past, glory days, and legendary player stories. Nothing really about the future. He sounded like an old man. I'm not saying that press conference truly determined anything, but I wonder how much it didn't help.

Miami had a lot going against it this time around, from opt-out clauses to new CBA rules, to the money just not being there, missing on draft picks, an inability to bring young talented role players, and really LeBron being homesick. Whereas everything came together for Miami last time, this time nothing did.

Note: I just realized LeBron didn't mention Wiggins in his letter. That's probably because he doesn't know much about him.....or maybe he was already told that the Cavs might try to flip him for Love. Though I believe they shouldn't deal for Love. They should be patient. It sounds like LeBron is willing to be patient. There's no real reason to trade away a young talented player, burn cap-space, give away draft picks, and have a short bench. Yea, you'll have a big three. But if Miami teaches anyone anything is that there's a lot of short term success that came be gotten, but there'll be some long term headache. Essentially, having three superstars on the same team is still financially untenable unless you're the Spurs Which the Cavs won't be because Love is looking to get paid. Not worth the trade.

i have a feeling Lebron's prime will last longer than most...that fucker is ripped, takes great care of his body and has never been seriously injured. he'll probably be the best player in the league well into his thirties.

the Cavs are now the favorite to win the championship next season according to oddsmakers; that would obviously change if Carmelo goes to the Bulls.

God bless.

All very true and I'm one of those people who thinks when it is all said and done that James will be considered the best, but it is tough to bet against Durant. Dude is 25 and is a level above anyone not named Lebron. They have been the top 2 players for the past couple seasons and it looks like it will be that way but Durant might over take him in 4 year time.

Would absolutely love to see Melo with the Bulls. It would make trips up to Chicago all the better. My girlfriend lives up there and we pass united center every time on the pink line.