| Newsbreakers |
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| While recent news of players moving to Europe for big dollars has stoked the flames of rumor, claiming it is just a matter of time before the elite of the NBA are facing gigantic financial offers to leave the states and move overseas, the economics of the current situation suggest no such offer is likely to be coming any time soon for players like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, according to ESPN. |
Our View: In an article offering realistic analysis of the situation by Ian Whittell, the recent contract for $20 million signed by Josh Childress is described as a exception to the rule rather than the start of a trend. Whittell notes only three or four European teams are owned by folks that could even consider such an expense. Budgets in the Euroleague last season ranged from $50 million (champions CSKA Moscow) to $3.12 million (Red Star Belgrade) with only six clubs operating at over the $30 million mark. And those figures are for total budgetary expenditure -- not just players' salaries. Olympiacos spent $35.8 million in 2007-08, indicating how much of a jump the near $11 million (pre-tax) the team will pay Childress this year represents. As Whittell asks, is it reasonable to believe a team would pay James $80 million when the entire budget of the biggest spenders in Euroleague was $50 million last year? |
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| As we continue to track the effects of the Mo Williams trade, we are now hearing Delonte West may choose to stay with the Cavaliers by signing his one-year qualifying offer of $2.76 million, a move that would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: With Williams now inserted as the starter and several players in the wings in need of playing time (including Daniel Gibson, Wally Szczerbiak, and West), there is a definitive need to assess his scenario and determine what will work best. Becoming a free agent is a goal, but playing now and proving his worth will help that process, and that may not come in Cleveland. We'll keep you posted. |
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| LeBron James helped the United States completely destroy the Spanish team in the Olympics, 119-82, by pouring in 18 points, dishing seven assists and grabbing four rebounds. |
Our View: This was supposed to be a challenge for the United States, but it wasn't even close. The Americans look like they are well on their way to a gold medal. |
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| Mo Williams states he is 100 percent healthy after undergoing right thumb surgery last May, according to the News Herald. Williams also had sports hernia surgery over the summer. He is also pleased to join the Cavaliers and said, "Change is good sometimes. You’re going to play with arguably the best player in America (James). You really can’t be disappointed about it. Life goes on. It’s a new chapter in your life. I’m prepared to take full advantage of it. I’ll fit in. We know who the leader of our team is as far as ‘The Man.’ We’re all going to roll with him."
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Our View: Williams should hold solid fantasy value as a guard in Cleveland. |
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| Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry says the team is still negotiating with guard Delonte West despite trading for Mo Williams. "This changes nothing on the Delonte front," Ferry tells the Akron Beacon Journal. "We want him back and hope we can reach a common ground." West is a restricted free agent. |
Our View: Do you think West and his agent are buying that line? West can play both guard spots, but Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Wally Szczerbiak all need playing time alongside LeBron James. We're guessing that West will want to find a way to play elsewhere as he heads into the final year of his contract. |
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| Guard Mo Williams was traded to Cleveland today in a three-team trade, according to the AP. Williams will head to Cleveland, Desmond Mason and Joe Smith go to Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee receives Damon Jones, Luke Ridnour and Adrian Griffin. |
Our View: Williams goes to Cleveland to be another scoring option apart from LeBron James. His fantasy value remains solid at point guard. |
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| A person close to LeBron James said the superstar would consider a future move to Europe is he was offered "around $50 million a year," ESPN.com reports. His current contract runs through the 2009-10 season. CSKA Moscow (Russia) and Olympiakos (Greece) have reportedly already contacted James. |
Our View: The European clubs don't have a salary cap, so a $50 million-per-year deal is not out of the question. We're not sure how seriously LeBron would actually consider a move to Europe, but even the hint should cause the NBA front offices to sweat a little bit. |
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| The Cavs have signed Tarence Kinsey, according to the AP. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
Our View: He was brought in for backfield depth, and won't hold much fantasy value, unless he can push for solid minutes at shooting guard. |
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| Greek team Olympiakos may take a run at LeBron James when he becomes a free agent, and because there is no salary cap there, the team could offer him far more than any team in the NBA, according to SI.com. |
Our View: It's doubtful this will happen, but if they offer LeBron $50 million for one year in Europe, could he turn that down? Would you? |
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| LeBron James helped Team USA beat Lithuania 120-84 by scoring 15 points, hauling in four rebounds and passing for four assists. |
Our View: The Lithuanians has no answer for the American team, who blitzed them for a 31-15 first quarter lead and never looked back. |
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