We're officially at DEFCON HOLY CRAP with the LeBron James Decision 2.0.
As he is set to meet with Heat team President Pat Riley in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon, comes news that the Cleveland Cavaliers dealt away a big contract to make salary cap space for LeBron.
This either means they know LeBron is going back to Cleveland, or it means they just took a massive gamble on a guy who might burn them again.
Also, it means Heat fans have a case of the massive dirty pants.
According to ESPN, the Cavs are sending Jarret Jack to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal to clear around $21 million in order to offer James a max contract.
ESPN is also reporting the Cavs are going after former Heat sharp-shooter Mike Miller as well as Ray Allen.
Meanwhile, LeBron is set to meet with Riley in Vegas. Reports say that LeBron's agent, head coach Erik Spoelstra and Dwyane Wade will also attend this meeting.
LeBron James & Rich Paul will meet with Heat contingent of Pat Riley, Arison, & Dwyane Wade at 3:00 p.m. PST confirmed by sources.
— Probasketballdraft (@Probballdraft) July 9, 2014To make matters a little more unnerving for Heat fans, Bleacher Reports' Ethan Skolnick says that the Heat's recent acquisitions of Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger may have been a mistake, if they want to sell LeBron on sticking around.
I spoke to a player who is close to LeBron... He laughed at the notion that Heat's recent moves would impress LeBron.... (1/2)
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) July 9, 2014... (2/2) That player's belief is Miami would have been better off holding cap space to sell LeBron on prospect of something bigger.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) July 9, 2014Add to the mix that Chris Sheridan says a source of his claims LeBron returning to the Cavs is 90 percent done.
Plugged in source says 90 percent chance @KingJames returns to #Cavs, & it'll be announced on http://t.co/UWcnreYIe0: http://t.co/KiulihOSGz
— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) July 8, 2014So it all may or may not be coming down with this meeting with Riley at 3:00 p.m. Vegas time.
Of course, we keep coming back to these few facts:
1. Dwyane Wade opted out of a contract that would have payed him over $40 million -- money he would never make elsewhere. Hard to believe LeBron would still bolt even after his good friend did that. Of course, Wade will be compensated either way. Still, it rings as shady and it's tough to believe LeBron leave Wade twisting in the wind that way. Udonis Haslem also opted out of big money.
2. Other reports conflict with what Skolnick tweeted, saying LeBron knew of the Heat's intentions to sign at least McRoberts.
3. The Cavs ownership publicly blasted LeBron in an open letter, called him a fraud and a coward. Would LeBron go back to that? Most people wouldn't. If he does, he's the most forgiving human person since Mother Teresa. And we're not even sure she'd forgive something like that.
4. And this:
Among GM's, there's still belief LeBron James walks into Pat Riley meeting, lays out his 1-2 year max contract proposal and stays w/ Heat.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 20145. And this:
Cavs planned to make version of this trade regardless of LeBron plans, sources say. Should not be indication any LeBron decision reached.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 9, 2014Either way. Time to start munching on Pepto tablets like popcorn, Heat fans. We're in for a bumpy ride.
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