Kevin Durant's decision to sign a five-year deal to remain in Oklahoma City is almost as stunning as James leaving Cleveland.
View full sizeWhen it comes to self-promotion in regard to signing contracts, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant is the anti-LeBron James.CLEVELAND, Ohio — 1. Not much was made of it nationally, but Kevin Durant's announcement that he is signing a five-year contract extension to stay in Oklahoma City is nearly as stunning as LeBron James leaving the Cavs for Miami. The NBA's leading scorer, Durant has been in the league only two years. He wouldn't have been a free agent until summer 2011. But he signed a five-year, $85 million deal to remain in Oklahoma City through 2016. That's right, Oklahoma City, not a major market.
2. This will be my last "What if . . ." about James, but what if James had done the same -- at any point. What if he gave the Cavs even five full seasons to plan and build a winner? That would have taken the pressure off to win now and chew up salary-cap room by overpaying for veterans from Larry Hughes to Donyell Marshall to so many others. Then the Cavs would not be in this spot with James a free agent and no cap room --at least until he left.
3. Before the 2006-07 season, Dwyane Wade (Miami), Chris Bosh (Toronto) and James all met and agreed to sign three-year deals (with a player option for a fourth season) with their current teams. Carmelo Anthony didn't follow the example, signing for four full seasons (and a fifth-year player option) with Denver. This put Bosh, James and Wade on the market at the same time this summer --and it also put their teams under the gun to win now.
4. Miami gambled that Wade would not go anywhere, telling the Heat's star that they will lose now --but create enough salary-cap room to sign Bosh and/or James. The Heat figured they were more likely to lure James and/or Bosh to Miami --than see Wade leave South Beach. They were right.
View full sizeLeBron James makes his first appearance in a Heat uniform Friday during an event at American Airlines Arena in Miami.5. James seemed so distracted in the Boston series. Some blamed his aching elbow, or something else. Now, it seems the free-agent swirl scooped him up and carried him along. Was he thinking about teaming up with Bosh and Wade? Did he make the mistake of suddenly looking for reasons to switch jobs -- when he still had a job to do? Did he start to think, "As soon as this is over, I'm outta here!" Is that why he lost his passion?
6. At their news conference in Miami, Bosh indicated these three had been talking about getting together for a long time. If James had just told the Cavs immediately after the season that he planned to sign elsewhere, then the team could have moved forward with anything from a sign-and-trade for him to chasing other free agents, even if the Cavs could not offer a maximum contract.
7. Word is that James made his final decision Tuesday, but refused to tell the Cavs (or any other team). Even two extra days may have enabled the Cavs to make a move for free-agent center Brendan Haywood, who signed a six-year, $55 million deal with Dallas. James did the Cavs absolutely no favors on this. His refusal to respond to owner Dan Gilbert's texts and calls in the final week reeks of arrogance.
8. The Cavs will at least come out of this mess with two Miami first-round picks (one being in 2012), and two second-round picks (one in 2011). There may be other parts of the sign-and-trade with James and the Heat. The more picks the better, not only to draft players -- but to be used in trades.
9. It's appalling, but not surprising, that ESPN let Jim Gray put together a deal to have James announce his decision on the network -- then have Gray do the interview. And allow this knowing James is paying Gray. But it got high ratings, which is all ESPN cares about.
10. It was nice to hear Orlando General Manager Otis Smith rip James for leaving Cleveland. He said the "great ones" usually stay with one team, and "competitors" don't leave like James did. This came a day after Magic coach Stan Van Gundy ripped James for everything from the TV show to leaving the Cavs.