Hoops

LeBron wants max salary, no matter where

Apparently LeBron is acting independently of Wade and Bosh.

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11170322/dwyane-wade-chris-bosh-unsure-lebron-james-plan

The ball is in Pat Riley's court: he's running out of options with Lowry and Gortat off the board and Wade and Bosh potentially asking for combined starting salaries of $25+ million.

@johnno, I can see LeBron guarding a point guard like Parker, but I don't see him playing point, or guarding guys like Kyrie, Rose, Wesbrook and Co.

They would be too quick for LeBron and although he has awesome skills, he would struggle to play point IMHO.

But Spinner, it isn't easy being 6'8", a super athlete, possessing the skill to dunk over 7 footers, run like a deer, jump like an antelope and move like a cat...

Yes, they have a lifestyle you obviously envy, but if everyone could do it then it wouldn't be special, just as not everyone can be a doctor mate!

You seem to want utopia, good luck with that...

The 'superstar model' can work, particularly with a perpetually undervalued player like LeBron. Wade and Haslem were always overpaid, and amnestying a proven role-player like Mike Miller to bring in Oden, Beasely and Lewis was downright foolish from Miami's owner.

Wade overpaid? The guy has been a gun & only now is slowing down.

Yes it is obscene on face value that one sports person is paid millions of dollars @Spinner, especially when you look at it from your perspective.

But take into account some important facts before you get too angry about it mate.

Not all successful sports people get great media jobs after they retire, they will need the money for the rest of their lives and their families.

Many come from poor backgrounds, not blessed with educations and if not for their skill in sport may be on the unemployment line.

What's better, having LeBron pay 100,000's in tax or taking benefits from tax payers?

The sporting window is so narrow, doctors can earn more over a 40-50 year career than a hooper in 5-10 years, also one bad injury and it is all over!

Just some of many points you should take into account perhaps...

On Lebron specifically, I got the impression he was simply saying to clubs other than Miami, not to bother calling unless they had the max on the table?

For Miami, he may still take a little less than the max if he sees what that money is buying in terms of talented help.

I really don't see him leaving Miami. They can afford to pay him the most and they can go over the cap to resign him, Bosh and Wade once they have brought in some help.

I think he waits to see who Riley can attract and if he's happy with the upgrades he sees, he'll have a handshake agreement to sign once the others do.

I think Tiger Watcher and Anon are arguing different points really. Tiger Watcher is absolutely right that Lebron is worth the max to an NBA franchise.

But Anon and others are, correctly in my view, arguing that it is inequitable that so much money is spent paying players to play a sport.

Or, put another way, would society be better off if NBA owners chose to spend more of their vast fortunes helping those in desperate need, instead of paying sportsmen $20 million per year contracts?

Check out Q16 & 17 if interested:

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q16

VC Fan, it's because the NBA's recent collective bargaining agreements have been ridiculously complex:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salary_cap#National_Basketball_Association

I can't give you a straightforward answer, as it varies from player to player depending on numerous factors and there are always exceptions and loopholes.

Have any of San Antonio's players actually taken a pay-cut?

Mills, Diaw, Green, Belinelli, Baynes, and Ayres were either discarded by previous teams or not seriously considered for a roster spot. They are all capable players that are probably payed at their 'market value': not to be confused with the value they add to a team.

A few years ago, Duncan was earning $20+ million. His current contract has him earning an average of $10mil a season - currently being 38 years old. Maybe he could've earned more elsewhere, but low 8 figures isn't exactly small change...

Ginobili was drafted as a 27yo, and Parker was relatively unknown when drafted, both of whom had to earn their place on the team. They have been fairly injury-prone, but could have certainly made more elsewhere. How much more though? Parker is also up for another sizable contract at 32yo: again, probably at his market value.

Kawahi Leonard is an interesting one, although I think paying him the max as a RFA could definitely be justified.

The Spurs do a great job of avoiding overpaying players, and making use of the talent they have. The idea that they have all taken 'pay-cuts' is a little dubious.

The 'superstar model' can work, particularly with a perpetually undervalued player like LeBron. Wade and Haslem were always overpaid, and amnestying a proven role-player like Mike Miller to bring in Oden, Beasely and Lewis was downright foolish from Miami's owner.

LeBron has somehow become a more elite all-round player and carried the team while ownership penny-pinched: he owes the HEAT nothing.

I too think he deserves the max.

He has to be target number 1 for Miami.

Arrison and Riley have to say to Wade and Bosh "were offering you this much..take it or leave it".

Wade came out and said he is testing FA, but its pretty deep FA class - I can't see any other team willing to offer Wade more than what the Heat would. (especially given there are young talents out there like Parsons, Bledsoe etc).

My point is that lose Lebron and you can kiss goodbye to the championship (hell maybe even goodbye to the playoffs).

Lose Bosh/Wade and keep Lebron and you still have a bit of cap space to go out and get someone like Lowry or Gortat plus an older vet like a Marion type.

Not really related, but NBA Players also get a per diem payment when they are on the road.

Think its like $107 per day or something. So if you go on the road for 7 days you get $750.

That is the equivalent to a tax free income of $39k!

Heard that Kyle Korver never touched his salary and used his per diem payments - I mean its easy not to spend $107 each day when they're already been provided with 5 course meals and everything like travel is paid for.

Actually, you also have a "jock tax" as well.

NBA players get charged tax for every state they visit and play a game at. Crazy I know.

e.g. California 10% tax. Played there 5 times in the season, you would pay 5 days worth of tax.

I know there are allowances if you travel with the team, but don't play (i.e. no tax is charged)

@Tiger Watcher that's an interesting view point actually, we don't really appear to know that much about the taxation structures in the States, certainly it isn't mentioned that much.

Not really a level playing field is it...?

NY would have been odds on IMO.

Big market, glitz and glamour, Madison Square Garden, Phil Jackson.

But to bad they have Amare and can't get rid of his contract - $23m next season FFS!

Can't amnesty either as I think they used it on Billups a while ago?

I would not be surprised if Lebron went to PHX. Not a big market team but imagine him alongside guys like Dragic, Bledsoe and a legit Center like Len.

Another question to consider: how much does Lebron want to go to the West? (which is why I thought NY if they could afford it).

The West is just too tough - a team would have to get acclimated to Lebron and a new style (whereas teams like OKC, LAC, MEM, SPURS will largely have the same personnel and style)

seriously does ANYONE really need to earn this much, take a look at the world guys its way bigger than you!!!

Interesting isn't it, I wonder if the Spurs model is better than the one super champion player model?

He is super, no doubt, but which of the top NBA franchises can afford him and what players will they sacrifice to get him?

Remember, one player be it a champion can be beaten by a champion team...

Oh, and his pay cut could buy the whole NBL, seriously I doubt he needs the money!