Unless LeBron Told You Directly What He's Going To Do, You Need To Stop Frontin'

Coming into this NBA off-season, the number one question centered on the summer’s #1 free agent.  Where’s LeBron going?
 
I get that question a minimum of five times a day, and my response is always the same.  I have no idea, and quite frankly, neither does anyone else who is speaking publicly on the question.
 
The reason “Where’s LeBron going?” is the number one question this off-season is because, not only will his decision potentially trigger the largest power shift in the league since Shaq left Orlando for LA, but it is also the one question to which no one in the media has any credible inside information.


 foxsportswest.com:  What Will LeBron Do?

Clippers Are Best Choice for LeBron

Coming into this NBA season, the most asked question by fans, media, players, coaches and front office executives was, "Where will LeBron play next year?"  Basically, everybody associated with the game wanted to know where the league's reigning MVP would take his skills for the second part of his career.  And as we continue dwindling down teams through the playoffs, that question still doesn't seem to have a definitive answer.
 
Despite some of the things I have heard in regards to LeBron's decision-making process, I'm not about to act like I know what he will do at season's end.  However, I do believe I know where LeBron SHOULD play next year, if indeed, he decides to leave his hometown team.

foxsportswest.com: Clippers Are Best Choice for LeBron

UPDATE: The Lakers Are On The Clock For Turiaf

UPDATE: Ronny Turiaf has officially signed his offer sheet from the Warriors, but I'm hearing that the Lakers will not match it. It seems $17 million over four years is a bit too much to pay for a guy who averaged less than 19 minutes of action. And in the playoffs, Turiaf's playing time was nearly cut in half. Remember when Phil Jackson called him soft?

So it looks to be so long, Ronny!



My Friend Broderick Turner of the Riverside Press-Enterprise is reporting that Ronny Turiaf has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors, who still have cap space even after doing a deal for Corey Maggette.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has said repeatedly this summer that retaining Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic are his top priorities. Both are restricted free agents, meaning the Lakers can match any offer the players accept. Now we find out just how valuable the Lakers believe Turiaf is to their next run at a title.



By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

Lakers forward-center Ronny Turiaf agreed to a four-year, $17 million offer from the Golden State Warriors, according to two league sources.

Turiaf is a restricted free agent. The Lakers have seven days to match the Warriors' offer.

Turiaf's agent, Mark Bartelstein would neither confirm nor deny the offer from the Warriors.


http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_turiaf_09.47b3657.html

No One Is Putting Blame On Sterling's Shoulders

Mark Heisler wrote a column for today's LA Times basically echoing my earlier post here about Clippers Owner Donald Sterling not being responsible for the departure of Elton Brand. JA Adande also posted a similar take on espn.com.

But I will say this: if bad things keep happening to you, maybe it's something you are doing elsewhere that is leading to such bad luck. The Clippers have been notoriously frugal in their spending habits when it comes to coaches, players, front office personnel, and staff-- although the salaries for the coaches and players have gone up exponentially as of late. But sometimes, it takes a long time to live down your reputation.

But at least Mr. Sterling is trying!

Mark Heisler, LA Times

Gee, why do these things keep happening to the Clippers?

I know what you're thinking, but they didn't lose Elton Brand because owner Donald T. Sterling couldn't be reached or wouldn't come up with the money.

It looks as if they lost Brand because he wanted out, which came as a shock since he always seemed true Clippers red, white and blue.

On the other hand, Brand was a Clipper for seven seasons so even if it was the best time in their history, think how many bad days he saw as opposed to good days.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler9-2008jul09,0,1486527.column

Click here to see what JA Adande wrote on espn.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=Brand-Clippers-080709&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

First Brand, Now Maggette

Quoting Chris Rock's character, "Bony T" in Boomerang, "First the Fat Boys break up, and now this!" Jonathan Abrams of the LA Times is reporting that in addition to losing Elton Brand to a surprise deal with the 76ers, Corey Maggette has agreed to a contact with the Golden State Warriors.

Recently, I had written how significant of a move it was for the Clippers to lure Baron Davis to Los Angeles, saying "Moves like this one don't usually happen for the Clippers. They happen to the Clippers. " And now it seems like it's deja vu all over again for Donald Sterling and company.

Call it karma, bad luck, or fate. The Clippers just can't seem to ever catch a break. And I mean ever!

From Danny Manning and Larry Brown to Shaun Livingston and Elton Brand, if something can go wrong for the Clippers it usually does. In the past, most of the misfortunes were the results of the organization's own mistakes. However, I don't think you can say that about this latest debacle.

Mike Dunleavy and Elgin Baylor were working under the belief that once they landed Davis, EB would agree to accept less money to play alongside Davis. They believed that because that's what sources tell me they were told by Brand and his agent, David Falk. Why would they think EB would go back on his word? He's never done it before.

However, when it comes to contract negotiations-- in sports or otherwise-- a deal is never done until it's done. But looking back on this latest episode of 'Damn, not again!', could this have happened to anyone but the Clippers?

Breaking News: LA Times Reports Elton Brand Agrees To Deal With 76ers

I am as shocked with this move as anyone. I knew Philly was expected to make a serious push for EB, but all the people I had talked to recently said he would re-sign with the Clippers, especially with them being able to offer him an additional 6th season and the total money being so close. It makes you wonder what changed over the last several days.

As you might imagine, the Clippers organization is terribly upset about EB's decision. The team believed it had an agreement with him to stay, and they took him at his word. It just goes to show you that a deal is never done until it's done.

By Jonathan Abrams, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Elton Brand has reached a verbal agreement to sign a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to an NBA source who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on player movements.

The deal is believed to be in the $80-million range and expected to span five years.


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers9-2008jul09,0,7626268.story

LAKERS EXTEND QUALIFYING OFFERS TO SASHA VUJACIC AND RONNY TURIAF

Basically what this means is the Lakers would like to keep both players, for the right money of course. The free-agent period begins tomorrow (July 1st). If either Vujacic or Turiaf agree to a deal with another team, the Lakers can match that offer and retain the player's rights. So now it becomes a bidding war. Is there another team out there willing to pay more than the Lakers for Vujacic or Turiaf?


EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles Lakers have extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, these offers establish the Lakers’ right of first refusal. Restricted free agents may sign an offer sheet with any team, but the Lakers have the ability to match any offer.