DownSwinging.com

On Sunday night, several days after free agent Trevor Ariza verbally committed to the Houston Rockets, the Cleveland Cavaliers made one last full-tilt effort to sign the young swing-man. GM Danny Ferry and Head Coach Mike Brown flew to L.A. to have dinner with Ariza to see if they could change his mind. Not only did the Cavs rig that up, but LeBron James and, newcomer, Shaquille O’Neal both called Ariza to see if they could sway his stance on signing with the Rockets. Then a source close to Ariza claimed that LeBron James, in the phone call, after a question about James’ future with the Cavaliers, said ‘I’ll be there. Of course, I’ll be there.’ For the rest of the day, LeBron and his people were not available f0r comment. The next day, LeBron’s agent said that LBJ never said that. They did admit that the phone call took place, however, which leads me to believe he did say it.

What would be Ariza’s reason to lie here? He has nothing to gain, or in fact lose from saying this. I feel as though LeBron did say that he would be in Cleveland for years to come, but I don’t necessarily think that its true. James is about winning. Even if it means telling white lies to potential teammates to get them to sign for this years Title tilt. Ariza actually suspected as much when his source said, “He thought it was just a recruiting tool, until he signs the contract it doesn’t mean much.” This shows me that Ariza is a smart fella.

To be honest, I don’t really like LeBron’s angle here. Why would you want to lie to a guy so that he commits for 5 years (the length of the contract offer from the Cavs to Ariza), on a deal if you don’t have concrete plans on being there for four of them. If he wants to sign, he’ll sign, but if LeBron does in fact re-sign with the Cavs, it will have been a very stupid basketball move on his part. If he re-signed last summer, for instance, the Cavs could have re-modeled their roster, to perhaps create enough cap room to make a run at one of the other marquee free agents that will be available next summer, either a Dwyane Wade or a Chris Bosh. Instead the Cavs are deliberating on a contingency plan to potentially replace LeBron. For his sake, I just hope he stays, because he wouldn’t exactly be loved in his home state anymore.