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LeBron James source says Cleveland Cavaliers still have the edge

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With rumors popping up and then being shot down routinely, one thing remains clear though all of the chaos surrounding LeBron James' free agency: the Cavaliers are still the frontrunner.

A source close to James told The Plain Dealer Tuesday morning that James still considers the Cavs to have the edge in re-signing the two-time Most Valuable Player. This is based not only on the fact that the Cavs can pay him $30 million more than another team over the next six years, but also that it is James' home.

James will host a series of meetings in the Akron area starting Thursday at 10 a.m. when the New Jersey Nets are scheduled to make the first presentation, a source said. Nets new Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov is flying to the U.S. just for the meeting before immediately flying back out. Then the New York Knicks are expected to present their case followed by a series of other suitors that could last much of Thursday and Friday.

The Cavs and likely a new head coach, which the team hopes to hire in the next two days, might also meet with James. While there have been reports that the Cavs are close to hiring Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, a team source said Tuesday morning that the Cavs have not made an offer to Shaw or other leading candidate Byron Scott.

After all the meetings, according to sources, James is expected to make his decision over a period of several days. Until then, James does not plan on committing to anything.

Over the last several days there have been a series of stories from newspaper and websites that have linked James to the Knicks, Bulls and Heat. Various denials then followed. Late Monday, ESPN reported that James met with fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade over the weekend in Miami.

But sources close to James have told The Plain Dealer that James was in New York over the weekend and did not travel to Miami. It is possible that Wade, James and Bosh all spoke on the telephone about their options and plans as they hit free agency. All three are represented by the same agency.

Wade and Bosh's agent, Henry Thomas, told the Miami Herald that the three did not meet in Miami


http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... cleve.html



Brian Shaw poised to be Cleveland Cavs coach, but deal not done yet

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Brian Shaw may be close to becoming the Cavaliers' next head coach, but it is not done yet.

According to sources, Shaw had a positive interview with the team Monday and early today and he emerged as the frontrunner to replace Mike Brown. Shaw has impressed the Cavs with not only his focus on defense and knowledge of how the triangle offense would work with LeBron James, but also his confidence in dealing with players because of his 14-year history in the league.

But Cavs sources said this morning that Shaw had not been formally offered the job and was not close to finalizing a contract with the team.

AOL Fanhouse and the Los Angeles Times reported that Shaw was close to accepting the job. The Times quoted Shaw's agent, L.A.-based attorney Jerome Stanley, as saying Shaw was close to an agreement.

The Cavs want a coach in place by Thursday, the start of free agency, and it is likely they want to make the decision today. The signs point to Shaw being that man.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... level.html

The #Cavs have extended Jawad Williams a qualifying offer of $1.02 million, making him a restricted free agent. Today was deadline.

Brian Shaw contacting potential assistants, looking for experience with triangle offense. Looks like he'll bring to #Cavs if deal finalized.
http://twitter.com/PDcavsinsider

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Cleveland Cavaliers in contract talks with Byron Scott as head coach


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The LeBron James' free agency chase, now in full effect, might end up having nothing on the drama of the Cavaliers' coaching search.


As the start of free agency arrived, the Cavs were in talks with Byron Scott to become the next head coach, team sources said. The negotiations were ongoing, but there was no deal yet in place as of late Wednesday night.

Complicating matters was that Scott was with family in Arkansas and unreachable for part of the day, which slowed the process.

After having positive meetings with Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw on Monday and Tuesday, things took a turn. Make that another turn.

The Cavs appeared to be moving in the direction of offering Shaw the job, even to the point where Scott's agent had e-mailed news outlets congratulating Shaw on getting the job. Shaw was also talking to potential assistant coaches.

However, according to sources, the Cavs never formally offered Shaw the job and were still in organizational meetings to make a final decision. After those meetings, the Cavs contacted Scott's representation to open contract talks.

Shaw's agent, Jerome Stanley, told media outlets Wednesday night that Shaw pulled his name from consideration. He said that Shaw was concerned about making a decision on the job before LeBron James decided on re-signing with the team.

But it was Stanley who told several news outlets Tuesday that Shaw was close to accepting the Cavs' job even as the team made it clear that no offer had been formally made. Stanley's premature comments to the media could have caused some tension within the organization.

One of the issues the Cavs had with Shaw was that he had never been a head coach at any level, although they were impressed with his knowledge and confidence. It is believed Shaw had pitched bringing the triangle offense to the Cavs.

If the Cavs can close the deal with Scott, they will be getting one of the candidates they had high on their list when Mike Brown was fired on May 24.

Scott is known for building strong relationships with his star players and having a commanding presence in huddles and on the sideline. He has 10 years of head coaching experience and twice led New Jersey to the NBA Finals. He has a combined record of 352-355 and 33-24 in the postseason with the Nets and Hornets.

Scott has a strong relationship with Hornets' star Chris Paul, who is very close to James. It is unclear whether James will be swayed in his decision if the Cavs can finish off the deal with Scott.

James has purposely stayed out of the coaching search over the last month and declined to speak directly with candidates. Scott told Yahoo Sports earlier this week that he was interested in the Cavs job with or without a commitment from James.


http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... ntrac.html

Rumors riguardanti giocatori:

Sometime today the Cavs are expected to contact Brendan Haywood. There is a chance of a double sign-and-trade to Dallas with Shaq.

Cavs also expected to contact shooting guards Ray Allen, John Salmons and Mike Miller at some point on July 1.

Also, expect the #Cavs to contact forward Al Harrington. OK, that's all the stuff I've been holding based on sources. Discuss.

The Cavs obviously will have interest in Chris Bosh & Amare' Stoudemire, but likely would not get serious unless they re-sign LeBron.

Windhorst via twitter

Marcomax wrote: Rumors riguardanti giocatori:

Sometime today the Cavs are expected to contact Brendan Haywood. There is a chance of a double sign-and-trade to Dallas with Shaq.

Cavs also expected to contact shooting guards Ray Allen, John Salmons and Mike Miller at some point on July 1.

Also, expect the #Cavs to contact forward Al Harrington. OK, that's all the stuff I've been holding based on sources. Discuss.

The Cavs obviously will have interest in Chris Bosh & Amare' Stoudemire, but likely would not get serious unless they re-sign LeBron.

Windhorst via twitter

Ma avrebbero lo spazio per due big? non mi risultava...ma tu sei sicuramente più informato sulle questioni salariali di cui ammetto di essere un pochino ignorante..

theref86 wrote:
Ma avrebbero lo spazio per due big? non mi risultava...ma tu sei sicuramente più informato sulle questioni salariali di cui ammetto di essere un pochino ignorante..

No, nemmeno uno se non si rifirma LBJ. Naturalmente sono situazioni da S&T.

Spazio non ce ne sarebbe, ma Delonte West e Mo Williams mi sembrano con un piede già fuori dalla porta.

According to a source, Byron Scott has agreed in principle to a three-year contract to coach Cavs. WIll be announced later.
Windhorst via twitter

Onestamente, penso sia una delle peggiori scelte potessimo fare, anche se non c'era molto sul tavolo.

Volendo vedere il lato positivo, Scott pare sia in ottimi rapporti con Chris Paul, quindi hai visto mai...

Scott non è assolutamente uno dei miei allenatori preferiti, anzi... però secondo me è un pò troppo bistratto. Ha raggiunto 2 volte le finali Nba, la stagione 2007/2008 con gli Hornets è stato veramente notevole.

Allenatori di livello chiaramente superiori liberi in questo momento(o che si sono accasati da poco) non c'è ne sono . L' unica altra via percorribile sarebbe stata scommettere su qualche assistente e tra questi l' unico che avrei personalmente gradito sarebbe stato Shaw che però si è autoritirato dalla corsa. Ma anche su di lui ci sarebbero stati parecchi ? oltre a quelli derivanti dall' inesperienza come capo-allenatore.

Non proprio uno dei miei preferiti ma se non erro, e spero di non aver capito male, mi pare sia gradito a LeBron, no?

TheChosenOne wrote: Non proprio uno dei miei preferiti ma se non erro, e spero di non aver capito male, mi pare sia gradito a LeBron, no?

Sembrerebbe di si.