Well LeBron? Still True?
July 8, 2010SABR-Toothed Triber: Vetting the Other Carlos
July 8, 2010
With potential suitors doing everything in their power before Thursday night’s “Decision” by LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly burning up the phone lines with hopes of improving their roster. Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealerreports that one potential target is second-year point guard Jonny Flynn, currently a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Flynn connection could have many different folds. The Cavs have long been looking for a point guard and Flynn is one of the younger, more promising point guards in the league. Drafted sixth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, Flynn averaged over 13 points and four assists for the Timberwolves in approximately 29 minutes per game. Starting all 81 games in which he played, Flynn averaged between 12 and 14 points through every month of his rookie season.
Often relying on speed, it is thought that Flynn could fit in very well in an uptempo style of the Cavaliers new head coach Byron Scott. But what may be the biggest trump card in the potential acquisition is the fact that Flynn is represented by Leon Rose, but is also a client of LRMR – the much-discussed marketing company of LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter.
Acquiring Flynn would by no means guarantee that LeBron James has a “change of heart,” as is what is reportedly needed for the seven-year member of the Cavaliers to re-sign in Cleveland. However, if the team could do so without trading promising power forward JJ Hickson, the team could place itself in a position to mix in youth with the veterans that are currently littering the current roster. Two birds with one stone, if you will.
Rumors continue to circulate surrounding New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, but the Cavaliers have presumably been unable to pry him from the grips of Hornets management. Paul, a very good friend of James, has reportedly been one of the many in the ear of James urging him to re-sign with the Cavaliers. Whether or not Paul knows something no one else does remains to be seen, but the connection to Byron Scott remains a very good reason for Paul’s opinions on the matter.
With less than eight hours left until James’ nationally televised press conference, things continue to get more interesting by the minute.
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Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE
40 Comments
When I heard about this my first reaction was (and still is) that’s it’s more of an insurance policy. We haven’t drafted high while we’ve had Lebron but if Lebron leaves and we don’t have to give up Hickson we’ll have Hickson + the 6th pick in last year’s draft to try to build a decent team around.
Sorry if this has been discussed and squashed or whatever, but when is Chris Paul a free agent? Could he be telling LBJ, “Resign with Cleveland and I’ll come there when I’m free.”??? Why else would he be encouraging LBJ to stay in Cleveland, as opposed to being neutral on the subject?
@2 – my thought would be that he wanted to fill the PG position in Miami when he’s a FA and if the team had all 3 there wouldn’t be cap room for him. Just a guess.
If you want to hear something funny, listen to Windhorst when someone suggests the Hornets will deal CP3. It’s as close to insane as Windy gets. On the radio a week ago he went on for like 3 minutes that tha Hornets have absolutely no reason to trade him and just stop asking that question.
Flynn doesn’t excite me at all. Small guard, not a good defender, not a good shooter. Sure, he can run, and he gets to the hoop, but if/when Lebron leaves the Cavs need to rebuild, not merely make a trade for the sake of a trade. If we give up nothing of real value in exchange, then go for it.
As an aside, Windhorst has shot down any speculation that trading for Flynn would change Lebron’s mind (which is logical. No one is lining up to play with Flynn as opposed to Wade/Bosh.)
Robbie – he’s free in 2012, I believe.
If it can be confirmed that the Cavs are aggresively pursuing Flynn as we speak, it can only mean one thing… they know that they have to do something drastic at this point to keep LeBron. There is no other reason why they would all of a sudden be pursuing this so frantically today.
I like the Flynn move, we need to get Scott a quick point guard who distributes.
Another nail in the coffin boys, get ready to burn your ‘James’ jerseys tonight…
http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/lebron-james-plans-weekend-party-in-south-beach-201087
@5 — I’d also rather the Cavaliers not try to do something for the sake of doing something. If it’s a move that they know for a fact retains LBJ, so be it, but enough of the desperation stuff. If the Cavaliers have to blow it up, well, we’re used to that sort of thing, aren’t we?
Al Jefferson too? Maybe? Hopefully?
With those two guys (and hopefully Hickson unless he goes), it would be a nice few guys to rebuild around. I just don’t understand why Minnesota, who is also rebuilding, would give up those assets, unless Rubio is definitely going to be there
I also think it would help the current situation of the Cavs to help keep LeBron. Its not Wade and Bosh, but its two young, promising players
@8) Is he that big of an idiot to plan a party in South Beach and not think it would get noticed before his decision?
1) I wouldnt put it past Us Magazine to make that up. First time I’ve ever looked at their site, it worked!
2) I would be stunned if LeBron jumped the gun like that
3) I would be even more stunned if LeBron did anything to take away from his climactic announcement tonight
Dogs and Cats… living together… mass hysteria
Stinkfist,
“to help keep LeBron”
I like to think that his mind is still open, that, somehow, he’d still be mulling it over DURING the interview.
“Well, there is that young buck Johnny Flynn, young buck, young Buck, hehehe.”
@j-dub,
that us weekly report makes no sense… if he’s gonna be in ny all weekend for melo’s wedding, how’s he going to be in south beach also? i call shenanigans
No rumor that Lebron is planning a big weekend bash at Put-in-Bay?
Scott – We’re all free in 2012
Narcissistic Man
Enjoy these last nice moments
Blowback you will feel
/Haiku Therapy’d
“Scott – We’re all free in 2012”
The Mayans accurately predicted the end of the world as Chris Bosh joining LeBron, Wade, and Bosh on the Heat. hahaha
…Paul not Bosh
/punchline ruined
Sign Flynn then put him together with a package to get Chris Paul?
@RobGoBlue
latest from windy:
Timberwolves GM David Kahn: “Jonny Flynn is not being traded.”
so to answer your question…. no.
Can the Cavs trade their Bird Rights to James?
If so, could they do it today to some team with a better shot of getting him with the Bird Rights?
Maybe they could get a pick or something?
Anyway, are Bird Rights a thing you can deal?
It also could mean the Cavs know the writing is on the wall and are already looking to dump salary and rebuild.
I will read Ecclesiastes today.
Perspective is overdue.
Conspiracy theorists: any way this Miami story (which literally popped up overnight out of the blue) is a planned rumor “float” in order to gauge the reactions out there? I just cannot believe that for as quiet as everything surrounding this decision has been, that all of a sudden things have changed that much. Maybe this is being used to throw everyone off the scent and then make the announcement that much more shocking? he would come off looking more like a “savior” in this instance.
Also, i agree with recent comments from posnanski….would he really have an hour long special to destroy Cleveland?? It just seems odd….
just_another_matt
I’m sorry, but you must pick a number.
I just soothed myself with a similar piece on SI (Ian Thompson).
@ 24: I agreed until today that it not only seems willfully cruel but would also self-destructive to his “brand” to dump us on national television. Today getting the sinking feeling that maybe he’s just that tone deaf, that it’s the attention, stupid.
Haven’t seen here that Windy has also reported this morning that LeBron’s telling his insiders he’s Miami bound.
Talk me off the ledge. Tell me why I’d ever let an athlete put me on one.
Matt #2, that was a good article…..that is a very “soothing” piece! Also interesting was the excerpt of what he wrote back on Nov 6. Very Nostradamus-ish (well….potentially).
“Can the Cavs trade their Bird Rights to James?
If so, could they do it today to some team with a better shot of getting him with the Bird Rights?
Maybe they could get a pick or something?
Anyway, are Bird Rights a thing you can deal?”
That’s effectively a sign and trade.
Not sure on Flynn and even if true it seems like to little to late. Now if Al Jefferson were somehow involved that’d be different but I doubt it.
New Orleans doesn’t need another PG they already have a nice young duo. That’s probably why CP3’s name is even being mentioned.
Anyways no LBJ and it’s time to rebuild. Maybe the Cavaliers will get it right with their next try.
Thoughts?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/07/08/lebron.miami/index.html?eref=sihp
I guess it’s possible, but I’ve been so angry today, I’m not even sure how I would feel. I don’t know how we could welcome him back after all the crap.
Doesn’t a sign and trade require the up-front consent of the player?
I’m imagining something riskier than a sign and trade:
where the team that ends up with the bird rights thereby becomes more appealing to the player but would have no more security that he will sign than the team that gave up his bird rights had.
@Matt#2
Ah, then no. Bird Rights are only transferable along with the contract.
EZ
Thanks.
Haywood’s out. do we trade for Dampier and use him in a trade with NO? please?
Just heard on wknr Paul just joined LRMR
Lyon, thats nuts. Any other day, I may not think anything of it. Today, all these plots and stories are pulling me so many different directions
This is like being drunk and jacked on caffeine at the same time. I dont know whether to get pissed at bad news or get excited over good news. I need Christopher’s calming insight
Anxiety + self-loathing for being manipulated = very bad cleve. sports day. Worst since … Mesa in ’97?
Not funny, LeBron. No, I am NOT smiling. Absolutely not funny.
Anyone want to guess tomorrow’s headline?
“Lebron Murders Cavs, We Are All Witnesses”
WFNY,
Please use your influence in the blogosphere to begin a campaign in the state of Ohio, and beyond, to donate (and match or exceed) the amount of money that, He-Who-Shall-Henceforth-Not-Be-Named (Lebron James), has donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
There is no reason that he should be allowed to use his access to the media conglomerates of our nation to salve the pain of the sin he has committed against the good people of Ohio or to implicate the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in that same sin.
It would be just and right if those of us with the means donated to the same charity with an amount they can afford. Not one of us has the means that He-Who-Shall-Henceforth-Not-Be-Named has, but there are more of us. Our voices should be heard. The people who will continue to LIVE in Ohio should support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ohio.
I will make the first contribution of $200.00.
WFNY, just tell me where to send it.
I urge all other WFNY posters to ask the same question of our moderators.
[…] to fill in the shoes vacated by Carlos Boozer. This inquiry came not long after the team had been looking at point guard Jonny Flynn, though it appears that Chris Grant was promptly told that the second-year player was not on the […]