Source: Lebron to Stay, but that’s not enough to Lure Trevor Ariza?

by Tommy Dee on July 7th, 2009 at 6:06 am

Via ESPN’s Chris Broussard:

“…Trevor asked LeBron if he would be in Cleveland after next season,” the source said. “And LeBron said, ‘I’ll be there. Of course, I’ll be there.’”

James could not be reached for comment on Monday.

James’ conversation with Ariza was part of the Cavaliers’ attempt to make the free agent swingman the next Hedo Turkoglu, who backed out of his promise last week to join Portland and instead accepted a deal with Toronto.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry and head coach Mike Brown flew to Los Angeles and met with Ariza on Sunday, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation.

Ariza, who had accepted a five-year, $33.5 million offer from the Rockets last Thursday, also received telephone calls from James and Shaquille O’Neal. When James told Ariza he’d be a Cavalier past next season, Ariza was less than convinced.

“He thought it was just a recruiting tool,” the source said. “LeBron definitely said it, but until he signs the contract it doesn’t mean much…

…Sources say several factors led to Ariza’s decision. First, his toddler son lives in Los Angeles with his mother and Ariza liked that Houston was a much shorter flight than Cleveland. Second, Adelman promised him the Rockets would feature him offensively while the Cavaliers refused to guarantee him a starting job. Instead, the Cavs told him he’d be given a legitimate chance to compete for the spot against last year’s starter, Delonte West.

“He wanted to be sure he’d start,” the source said. “That was a big hang-up…”

Non-story.

So what I’ve just been told is that Lebron James told Trevor Ariza that he’s staying in Cleveland and that Ariza doesn’t believe him. Also, he wants to start even if it’s on a bad team and he’ll give up a chance to play with another great player because his mom thinks it’s a closer flight to LA…

Okay, got it.

Lebron, just sign an extension and get it over with.
  • Magik_Trick

    Well, i’ve prepared myself for this, so cant say im surprised at all…

    Wonder who our main FA target is now…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I was being sarcastic Magik…

  • Chris Alvino

    Hey LeBron, prove it!

    Sign on the dotted line and prove it.

    I will not believe anything regardin this guy until he signs a new contract. Then I’ll believe all the rumors, etc.

  • charlie

    If it’s true, the fact is LBJ said it. Whether we or Ariza want to be believe it, he said it. I don’t know why he would tell him that in an effort to sign him to a long term deal and then screw him. That would be pretty messed up.

    Fact remains, Walsh has more than a lot of work to do if he’s going to make this franchise attractive to free agents next off season. I think we all over estimate the power of NYC as an attracting force. There has to be a team in the Garden capable of winning or any of the free agents will think twice about coming. We all know how the city LOVES to knock down its stars when things aren’t going well.

    If Wade says he will leave Miami if the team isn’t a champsionship caliber contender, then why would he come to NYC if the Knicks aren’t either?

    I know I’m getting impatient, but Grant Hill rumors are simply not enough…

  • bmathews77

    This is actually a large reason alot of players aren’t too interested in coming to Cleveland right now. They don’t know if Lebron is going to leave in 2010 or not. Thats why Ferry goes after old players like Shaq, Joe Smith, etc…

    If Lebron really is going to stay in Cleveland he needs to re-sign the extension already so players will want to come to Cleveland to play with him.

  • mikemac

    I may be one of the only one’s, but I really don’t want that prima donna here……fuck lebron james… we can still add plenty without needing him — and we’ll make a run at a title – sooner than most think. We’ll also have our own #23 -by the way ;

  • Mal

    Ive said it before we better not put all our eggs in the Lebron James basket, Donnie W better have Option B through Z ready simply because (1)Cleveland can pay him more money, (2) Lebron has been to the Finals and swept, been to the Conference Finals only to lose game 7, had the best record in the NBA and fell short in conference Finals, so the Knicks better have a team prepared to go to the Finals if he does leave for MSG ala how Ray and KG did moving to the Celtics. I just dont see Lebron wanting to go to a rebuilding team, so the Knicks better field a team that beats the Cavs at least 3 times this season.

  • KBT1615

    “If Wade says he will leave Miami if the team isn’t a champsionship caliber contender, then why would he come to NYC if the Knicks aren’t either?”

    How come everyone says this? If we are a playoff team without a star like D Wade or Bron wouldn’t that make us a contender with TWO Stars.

  • KBT1615

    “Ive said it before we better not put all our eggs in the Lebron James basket.”

    He isn’t there are plenty of Plan B’s C’s D’s that will still make us a VERY good team in the east.

    “I just dont see Lebron wanting to go to a rebuilding team.”

    A team isn’t rebuilding anymore if Lebron comes they instantly become a playoff caliber.

  • charlie

    I agree, but can we will more than 33 games first before we think we’ll be a playoff team? We can lose David Lee and Nate Robinson for this upcoming year and replace them with Grant Hill and…who?…

    I want this team to be good, I soooo do. But, what I know is it wasn’t a playoff team with Lee and Nate, so without them (maybe) DW has his work cut out for him if this team is going to make the playoffs.

  • KBT1615

    we drafted their replacements.

  • charlie

    oh, right, so a couple of rookies are going to lead us to the playoffs…

  • Mal

    KBT1615 lol
    Great mind think alike. That is my spin big time on the whole LBJ issue

  • Mal

    I kinda like what Frank Isola said is we should build a team to beat LeBron and Cavs. Lets trade for carmello and get a few more pieces to add around him, sorta like Denver’s team. We gotta pretty good team we just need an Alpha male to lead us to learn how to win and play defense all out

  • knicksbro

    I agree. Right now, I’d say we have a better team than Lebron’s Cavs last year. We have a lot of talent, and just Lebron coming here would turn us into a very very good team. The only thing we need is a superstar to become great…

  • KBT1615

    you act like it never happened before but thats the point in getting Grant Hill a leader who has been to the playoffs before Hill and Douglas are there to replace the possible talent loss in Nate and Lee.

  • Cammydog0123

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mpga7h

    I thought of a trade so great donnie walsh wont think of it. The knicks want cap space. the rockets need a pg and a big center and dont want t mac. the bulls dont want hinrich cuz of derrick rose. heres a perfect 3 way team trade that works for every team and improves every team. SHOW THIS TO EVERY SO THIS CAN GET AROUND.

  • Mal

    Cammy I think this would be a good move a bonus if TMac can come back resembling his old self after he has rehabbed. Losing Big Eddy contract and somehow lose Jared’s…Brilliant

  • charlie

    I hear what you are saying, but I don’t really see it. Call me a cynic, then. We’ll see what DW does.

  • Cammydog0123

    MAL

    i hate when ppl look at a trade 1 sided. a good trade makes every team better. the knicks get better and lose alot of money. the bulls get better cuz they lose hinrich so rose can run the show and they can dump alot of money meaning signing their hometown star dwayne wade and the rockets get hinrich a good pg and eddy curry if he returns to his old self.