Free Agent Watch: So…is LeBron James now in play?

Could Clevelands loss be Chicagos gain?

Could Cleveland's loss be Chicago's gain?

Last night, LeBron James suffered one of the most stunning playoff eliminations in NBA postseason history. The best team in the league — starring the best player on the planet — didn’t make it out of the second round…didn’t even make it to a seventh game. LeBron’s future in Cleveland has never looked more bleak.

All season, I have been steadfast in my belief that LeBron won’t come to Chicago. That, in fact, he would never want to. As much as James admires Michael Jordan, I can’t imagine him coming to the Windy City and playing in MJ’s giant shadow. I mean, LeBron could still conceivably eclipse Jordan’s accomplishments somewhere else, but he would have to win at least six or seven titles with the Bulls to measure up to Mike’s legacy. I don’t see that happening.

And yet…ESPN’s Chad Ford has heard differently:

“Within minutes of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ elimination at the hands of the Celtics, the speculation about LeBron James’ next destination resumed in full force. In the space of five minutes I heard from three NBA GMs via text, e-mail and phone. All three said that based on the information they have, they believe LeBron will leave the Cavs. More surprisingly, all of them said they believe the destination will be the Chicago Bulls. Two said they believe that John Calipari will be the Bulls’ new head coach.”

Ford then received the following information from one GM over the phone: “I think the Bulls are really going to go for it. Look for them to offer the Cavs Luol Deng in a sign-and-trade for LeBron. That will allow them to retain most of their cap space. Then they’ll go after Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh as well.”

Talk about dream scenarios. That would be like winning the lottery on the same day you inherited a gold mine that was sitting on top of a diamond mine that had a huge oil reserve underneath it. Can you imagine a lineup that included LeBron, Wade, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah? Seriously, I just got chills.

But as fun as it is to dream, there are other teams — the Cavaliers, Clippers, Heat and Knicks just to name a few — that all have just as good a shot at James as the Bulls do. And July is still a month and a half away. Literally anything could happen.

Still, when I woke up yesterday, I would have rated Chicago’s chances of landing Lebron at about zero percent. Now? I think there’s a chance.

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162 Responses to Free Agent Watch: So…is LeBron James now in play?

  1. m_nazabal@yahoo.com'
    Max May 17, 2010 at 6:59 am #

    Reggie your right our players are Good. They are what is attractive to any free agent out there. We have a solid squad minus consistent 3 point shooting. The only thing I do not like about Dengs game is his failure to drive and get fouled. I think he settles for to many jump shots. I think a lot of people think that though. Rose is only going to get better. I think he is gonna be the best PG in the league.

  2. abormet@hotmail.com'
    Aaron May 17, 2010 at 1:02 pm #

    ESPN’s Chad Ford
    Several teams have showed interest in Gay

    “With so many teams now under the cap, it’s pretty much guaranteed that at least one club will make a big run at Gay this summer. The Grizzlies have been running a bare-bones operation for the past few years, and it’s unclear whether owner Michael Heisley is ready to break the bank to match a huge offer for Gay. The 23-year-old swingman is a terrific athlete and an accomplished shooter, but his game is a bit one-dimensional at the moment. The Knicks, Nets, Clippers and Wizards have all showed interest.”

  3. Ryan May 17, 2010 at 3:53 pm #

    @ Reggie

    I don’t plan to waste my time on you after this… I said ‘Piece’ to mock you, make fun of you, to show you how idiotic it looks at the end of a post. I didn’t expect you to understand this due to your 4th grade level of intelligence. You might consider taking your own advice with a dictionary – is ‘ligit’ even a word? Maybe you will learn how to spell that in 5th grade? Legit.

    Piece!

  4. bob.edwards47@yahoo.com'
    Boppinbob May 17, 2010 at 7:26 pm #

    Hey Ryan, why do you always have to put people down. Could it be that you do not have anything of value to say? Closing comments with the term “peace” is a generational/philosophical closing. I hope you learn tolerance sometime soon.

  5. felipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    Dj May 18, 2010 at 5:26 am #

    What was that buddy Max?

    Dude, please stop talking to yourself with your made up account people like: trm3 and Aaron (I know it’s you!) so quit it while your ahead (face-ass) lol.

    Anyway max, I am not letting people dreams down, I am just letting them know the truth and for some reason I am pretty sure that Lebron James is not leaving Cleveland and if he does, I don’t see him coming to Chicago as his number 1 choice.

    o0o and Max i mean Aaron lol, that mate be true that some few teams are also interested in Rudy Gay beside the Bulls but, not as much like most teams are interested in Lebron James only!!!

    Meaning, we still have a higher chance of getting Rudy Gay over Lebron James this summer.

    And Max, I will get deported back to your country bitcha!!! lol jk

  6. felipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    Dj May 18, 2010 at 5:30 am #

    @ Ryan & Reggie

    I did not know their was some bad blood between you guys.

    You guys should make-up and be friends just like me and max are lol jk

  7. m_nazabal@yahoo.com'
    Max May 18, 2010 at 7:05 am #

    Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah……you have yet to say anything original in about 40 comments now…..Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah….

  8. Trm378@gmail.com'
    Trm3 May 18, 2010 at 8:08 am #

    Don’t worry Max, DJ and I already started a few threads ago..when I told him to lose his boner he had for David Lee, I also sarcasticly said Aaron Gray could put up the numbers Lee does in NY (Basically saying Lee isn’t as good as many think) but DJ got butt hurt and wanted to point out Lee is an All-Star and Aaron Gray wasn’t..obviously he doesn’t get sarcasm. So I then proceeded to ignore him and look at another thread which he had to follow me to point out that Aaron Gray sucks and shouldn’t be compared to David Lee…so I’ve been there and done that. But u should know that already cause according to DJ were the same person????

    Ahhh, poor rAtard, lol

    Here’s to hopin on a good offseason..Let’s get it done GarPax!

  9. felipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    Dj May 19, 2010 at 6:00 am #

    So what is your point this time Max? I mean Trm3 lol, I thought we already discuss that argument about Lee and Gray, when I mean you look stupid when you said Aaron Gray is better then David Lee. Anyways, who-ever you r Max or Trm3, lets just hope that the Bulls can manage to get a good talented player that can play along side Rose in our SG & PF positions and lets be more realistic this time lol.

  10. mrgar87@live.com'
    Bill thomas May 19, 2010 at 6:01 am #

    I agree with you crazy DJ…

    GO BULLS!!!

  11. m_nazabal@yahoo.com'
    Max May 19, 2010 at 7:24 am #

    Aaron Gray sucks!!! I never made any comment about him!! There you go making shit up again…..

  12. felipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    DJ May 19, 2010 at 7:54 am #

    If you say so buddy…. =)

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