Yes, it’s time to move on. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t inform Knicks fans of just how close Lebron to NY came to happening.

The days leading up to the “Decision” were very hectic, and multiple sources who I’ve talked to over the past few weeks have filled me in on just how close James came to playing for the Knicks. In fact, his people, most notably Maverick Carter, were pushing New York tremendously contrary to pretty much every report that was made throughout the process. Ultimately, a source tells me, Lebron decided against the advice of his team and “decided to play with his friends.”

“Lebron’s team realized that NY was the fit and they were pushing him hard there. James had basically decided and contacted Amar’e Stoudemire to tell him to get ready,” the source said. “In the end, Lebron  went over the heads of his team and chose Miami.”

On the Saturday before, we reported that the Knicks’ had a third meeting with Lebron’s people in Ohio. Two of the three were reported elsewhere, the third was immediately refuted. That meeting that including Scott O’Neil and Glen Grunwald was to iron out the numbers and finalize a deal to NY. When the Knicks finalized a deal for Amar’e Stoudemire Monday they had their first max player set, setting the stage to add another in James who seemed excited at the notion.

“I’m telling you that Amar’e swore Lebron would be a Knick 48 hours before the decision,” another source added.

To take it a step further, a source with close ties to Madison Square Garden told me a week after the decision that “employees were informed that Lebron was going to be at MSG Wednesday (July 7th) in the afternoon” and to “keep their mouths shut.”

Lebron never showed. (more…)

RicBucher

Ric Bucher

@RicBucher: Never tweeted LeBron was in Mia. A source said he was. Passed it on to the mothership. Made a 2nd call, told he was in Akron. Killed report.

Jul 8, 2010 @ 05:03 AM from web

Now let’s sit back and wait for 9:00pm, when we’ll hear it directly from LeBron …

Via Hoopsworld:

Whenever there is a vacuum of information, rumors begin to surface. When it was reported that LeBron James would be waiting until the conclusion of his Akron basketball camp on Wednesday to make his decision, it gave the basketball world several days to churn out different scenarios and rumors and nobody seemed to be on the same page.

But in the last twenty-four hours, there have been lot of rumblings indicating that James could be leaning towards New York and reviving the Knicks with Amar’e Stoudemire.

Several sources indicated that James’ advisors Maverick Carter and Randy Mims could be travelling to New York on Wednesday and sources have hinted that James will be joining them for the trip. Sources also said that Carter and Mims have been picking the Knicks’ brains for details and information on their salary cap and free agent plans over the past few days.

Trying to confirm and again have been unsuccessful. But we’ve noted several times now that Maverick Carter will be in NY Wednesday. If the report is true, it would appear we could know why.

Stay tuned.

To me, Chris Bosh has always been the key to this whole thing. Reports are coming out that the Cavs and Raptors are talking sign and trade.

But when has this not been the case? It hasn’t been the case because  it was reported earlier that Bosh to Miami was a “done deal.” In this game there is no such thing.

Ultimately, it comes down to this. If Bosh wants major money he has to accept a sign and trade. In order for him to go to Cleveland, there has to be a salary match, meaning the Cavs strip themselves of players on their roster. Are the Raptors really pumped about a Jamison/Mo Williams situation for example? Maybe if Isiah Thomas were running them (sorry Zeke)…but logically I can’t see that. Do the Raptors want Michael Beasley? Not from what I’m gathering.

What about the Nets? Interesting. They are a possibility. Can Bosh and Lebron end up in Newark? Again, that’s a big wild card still in play.

Chicago? Well, if the Heat strike out with a big can Wade stay in South Beach?

Again, with Amar’e out of the mix, the market on bigs now has a brighter spotlight. It’s Bosh’s move…as it’s always seemed to be.

Also, for a great article on the Amar’e/Bosh debate, head to CBSsportsline…

PDcavsinsider

Brian Windhorst

@PDcavsinsider: Also, can confirm several reports of a rift between Wes Wesley & James camp. Wes was indeed pushing Chicago, I'm told.

Jul 6, 2010 @ 03:12 AM from TweetDeck

The idea that Wes has been boxed out of the inner circle is something that has been talked about for the last week or so. People I’ve spoken to have said similar things about Wes pushing Chicago. I’ve talked to another person who said that Maverick Carter will be in town Wednesday. I can’t say for sure if it’s for personal reasons, or for a meeting with either the Knicks or Nets…will keep digging.

The key to this whole thing as been the decision of Chris Bosh. Do the Cavs have what it takes to deal with Toronto? Does Bosh get paid and head for Ohio? Or does he head to South Beach with Wade? Does he join Wade in Chicago?

The best move for both he and Toronto would be a sign and trade to Houston. Bosh is from Dallas and he’s made it clear in NY that he’s a kid from the South. It seems all signs i’m getting indicate that the Bosh/Wade team in South Beach is far from a given.

Where does that leave NJ? Would Bosh consider teaming with James in NJ for less than the max?

Again, all these questions have answers. And things will start to unravel once Chris Bosh makes his decision.

From Ian O’Connor (ESPN-NY):

The great free-agent class of 2010 turned out to be a two-man class, and Amare Stoudemire does not have a desk in that room. He is not LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, and no, he is not a true max-out player or $100 million asset, either.

But you do know what Amare Stoudemire is, right?

A hell of a catch for the New York Knicks.

In fact, if Stoudemire can persuade James or Wade to join him, he will represent the smartest signing the Knicks have ever made.

First domino has fallen.  Maybe Amar’e can send LeBron a NYK cap to wear during the Nike camp in Akron.

More from Ian O’Connor (via Twitter) –

Ian_OConnor

Ian O'Connor

@Ian_OConnor: #Knicks hope this becomes Escape to New York deal w/ DWade & #LeBron racing each other to Garden w/ both afraid of being stuck alone

Jul 6, 2010 @ 03:38 AM from web

From Bill Madden (NYDN):

George Steinbrenner turns 80 Sunday, coincidentally at the same time LeBron James is about to make up his mind which city he’s going to anoint with his world-class basketball talents. And even though The Boss’ roar and bombast have been muted by steadily advancing dementia, this July 4 confluence of events got me thinking about what might have been had Steinbrenner gone through with that deal to sell the Yankees to Cablevision back in 1997 – in which he was to remain general partner of the Bombers and also oversee all operations of the Knicks and Rangers.

Imagine if Steinbrenner – the old George, that is – was the one pursuing LeBron for the Knicks?

I almost forgot that George started out in Cleveland.  Maybe that should tell LeBron something.

Best wishes go out to the Boss and the Steinbrenner family.

There’s been back and forth over whether the Knicks are better off with Amar`e or CB4, and many leaning toward Bosh refer to reports such as these.

But as Bill Simmons said on Twitter, “I like Chris Bosh, but him holding up LeBron and Wade is like Don Cheadle standing in the way of Ocean’s 11 being made.”

From Frank Isola of the Daily News:

“On the first official day of the free agent recruiting period, the Knicks finally get their face-to-face meeting with LeBron James, a franchise player if ever there was one, as well as a young talent who has told close associates that making New York City his home for the next six years appeals to him. Knicks president Donnie Walsh didn’t throw away two seasons just for the right to one day have lunch with James…If James elects to re-sign with Cleveland or joins Chicago or Miami, the Knicks feel they can still bolster their club via free agency by re-signing David Lee and adding Memphis small forward Rudy Gay, Milwaukee point guard Luke Ridnour and even Washington shooting guard Mike Miller.”

SI.com

“…But the recruitment of James, Johnson and a big man is a more inspired and promising idea. By dividing its cap space equally among three elite recruits — another idea floated on behalf of Miami — the Knicks would pay starting base salaries of $11.5 million each to James, Johnson and the power forward. That amounts to a salary cut of $5.3 million per year compared to the max salary each player could receive from another market.

Including bonuses, each can player can earn an average salary of $15.7 million over a five-year contract, the source said…”

Interesting. And those are quite aggressive pay cuts. I was under the impression that pay cuts are bad for the rest of the league, from a players association standpoint, but according to Larry Coon they are not (thx @araia24).

LarryCoon

Larry Coon

@LarryCoon: It is what it is. They''re not going to tell player what he should/shouldn't sign RT @araia24: even though it effects the average salary #?

Jun 30, 2010 @ 04:08 AM from TweetDeck

Still think there would be an issue, but I’ll defer to the Professor.

The “bonuses” SI speaks of appear to be what are known as “unlikely” bonuses, which kick in if the Knicks were to make the playoffs and beyond.

Ultimately they could have the advantage because the Bulls and Heat both made the playoffs last year. But I don’t see how they  can manage $4million dollars in incentive bonus.

Still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing as it appears on the surface the Knicks are playing their cards right. Feel free to add your thoughts below.

Check out Mr. Coon’s offering on Max cap space this morning.

Thanks, as always, to Big C.

Discuss…The NBA could void a deal they thought was already brokered? Interesting.