Where's LeBron going? Probably nowhere

Loyal reader Jeff Brown sent me the following link to a Bill Simmons column on ESPN's Page 2. If I may quote from Jeff's email:

Team LeBron is making everyone think they have a chance at LeBron in 2010 so multiple teams clear cap space and weaken themselves competitively in the short-term (like Detroit did) ... which inadvertently gives Bron a better chance to win a title over these next two years! It's devious and hilarious. I love it. I would do the same thing. Can't you see Worldwide Wes whispering to Dumars, "Yeah, LeBron loves Detroit, he could totally see himself there, you should kill your 2009 chances so we can maybe sign with you."

From http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/storypage=simmons/081126&sportCat=nba&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos2

...

The Cavs' chances are increasing for a title this season and next, as we watch teams falling all over each other to arrange their salary caps to make a run at "The King" even though the Cavs can offer him a considerably higher salary than any other team.

Which reminds me, I'm surprised that our loyal hometown hero, C.C. Sabathia, has not yet inked his foregone conclusion contract with the Tribe. I guess he and the Tribe are just making the other teams expend unnecessary energy, in order to wear THEM out and increase the Tribe's chances
in 2009 and beyond.

Jeff (I think) is just joking about CC, but it is truly interesting what's happening with all this talk about LeBron in New York. I don't think anyone's saying there's NO chance LeBron won't sign with a team in a bigger market, but the national media generally seems to have no idea about the salary cap rules that would allow the Cavs to sign or trade for another big name, THEN sign LeBron to a bigger contract than anyone else can offer.

LeBron is far from the main thrust of the column. Simmons also holds forth on who the main contenders are this season, and our Cavaliers are in his top three. (They also seem to be in the "general consensus" top three, from what I have seen.) They've certainly been impressive thus far, and have to be considered legitimate.

Will LeBron be a Cavalier after his current contract expires? I don't know, but I think so. In any case, there's not much point worrying about it right now.