Stern hopes LeBron picks Cleveland, not N.Y.
NBA commissioner David Stern said of LeBron James, "I hope he stays [in Cleveland]. That's the way the system is designed." Credit: AP
David Stern may believe the Knicks are "heading in a very good direction," as he said last week, but last night he said his hope is that LeBron James isn't headed there with them.
"Hopefully he'll stay [in Cleveland]," Stern said before the Celtics defeated James and the Cavaliers, 104-86, in Game 2 to tie their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 1-1. "That's the way the system is designed."
Stern was referring to the NBA's collective-bargaining agreement, which includes a rule called "Larry Bird Rights" that gives teams more money and an extra year to offer their own free agents.
James has an opt-out clause in his contract that, if he exercised it, will allow him to become a free agent July 1. But if he chooses to sign with another team, such as the Knicks, his first-year salary would be about $16.5 million and the most the Knicks can offer are raises of 8 percent per season for up to five years.
The Cavaliers, by rule of the CBA, can offer 10 percent raises up to six years. James, who Sunday was named the league's MVP for the second straight season, has remained noncommittal about his plans. This summer, several other NBA stars, such as Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh, have opt-out clauses, as well.
The Knicks have more than $30 million in salary-cap space to spend and are hoping to sign at least one, if not two, star-level players.
There is a belief that Stern is concerned about the impact on a small-market team losing a star player. He might also be concerned with perception.
It was 25 years ago when Stern and the NBA were accused of rigging the draft lottery to ensure that Patrick Ewing would go to the Knicks. Stern wants no one to believe he has any influence this time around, either.
