Cavs 2010

Real GM Reported today:
Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert conducted a candid interview with the Plain Dealer this week and touched on the possibility of LeBron James leaving Cleveland in 2010.

"The truth is, I just don't even think of that that way," said Gilbert when asked what he thinks his franchise would be worth without James. "This is a long-term investment. We want to make the Cleveland Cavaliers a perennial champion and contender. We want people to be part of the franchise for long periods of time if they fit our culture, no matter who they are, whether it's LeBron or anybody that contributes.

"I haven't really gone through and literally said that if our superstar weren't to be here what would [the franchise value] be the next day because in the one-in-a-million chance that that would happen, that wouldn't be the time you would be evaluating that anyway."

Gilbert also touched on how the franchise is run and why it will remain an attractive place for James.

"Everything's philosophically driven. We just say, 'Look, if we can create the best environment, the best franchise, a winning franchise in a city that I think loves its sports teams, then we're in the best chance and opportunity to not only keep our greatest people but to attract others.' . . . To me, it'll take care of itself."

But honestly... what else is he going to say? "I think he's leaving and we're not going to do anything about it?" Of course not.

What else are they gonna say? LeBron, ever the politician, has been saying the right things all season long while sprinkling in some hints each time he plays the Knicks. However, it is telling how strongly the Cleveland media feel about 2010.

In his column, Marc Berman uses the fancy word literati and wonders "Is the Cleveland literati in denial? If James bolts, their city becomes irrelevant again."

TERRY PLUTO (Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist): "I'd say it's 80 percent he stays, 20 percent he goes. Of the 20 percent, it's only 10 percent he goes to New York. I know it's hard for people in [New York] to believe, but this guy actually likes Cleveland and Akron. ... Unless the Cavaliers' organization falls apart, odds are overwhelming he stays."

TOM WITHERS (Cavaliers beat writer, Associated Press): "James' chances of winding up in New York hinge on how the Cavaliers do in this year's playoffs. For James to be considered among the game's greats ... he must win multiple NBA titles, so he'll need to be with a team that has a reasonable chance every year. James is not going to join a team that has to rebuild around him. ... Despite his riches, he's not going to leave $25 million on the table just to play in a big market."

MARY SCHMITT BOYER: (Plain-Dealer Cavaliers writer, author of several Cleveland sports books): "I am sure of two things: 1. He's an astute businessman; and 2. He is very, very tied to the Northeast Ohio community."

MIKE SNYDER (Sports director, WTAM Radio): "There's a 90-percent chance that LeBron will remain in Cleveland. ... As long as the Cavaliers continue to make every effort to surround him with the best supporting cast, he can have it all."

While the Knicks were wheeling and dealing at the trade deadline "[trading] away three paperweights for two guys who should be terrific fits in Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo system," the Cleveland Cavaliers missed out on chances to upgrade their roster and show LeBron they'll do whatever they can to get a dynasty built.

ESPN's Chad Fords analysis of the Cav's lack of movement:
"It sure sounded as if the Cavs were poised to add another important piece to LeBron's quest for a title. There was lots of interest in Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract, but the Cavs couldn't make a trade. We wonder whether all the talk we've heard from Cleveland and elsewhere about the value of expiring contracts was true. Cavs GM Danny Ferry wasn't the only guy unable or unwilling to move an expiring contract."

Now I'm not saying the Cavs should have made a deal just to make a deal. Perhaps no good trade came around. But the Knicks had VERY difficult and specific trade parameters- they needed to match their players ridiculous contracts (to make the trades work), and only trade for players that do not extend beyond 2010. With those as the rules -and every GM in the league knowing the Knicks bound themselves to that- to give up Tim Thomas and end of the bench garbage, for Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox, Donnie Walsh showed us all that he continues to know what he wants and, more importantly, how to get it. Very impressive. And if you think LeBron isn't seeing and taking note of what Donnie is doing, you're nuts.