Can Jay-Z lure LeBron to Nets?

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So in a couple years baby, I'm a bring you some Nets," rapped Jay-Z in a recently released song called, "Hello Brooklyn." And after a big trade last week, the hip-hop star/Nets minority owner is in position to bring LeBron James to Brooklyn, too. The Nets stole headlines from the rival Knicks by trading forward Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for 20-year-old Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. By making the move, New Jersey is expected to be $20-22 million under the salary cap in 2010, when James becomes a free agent. While the struggling Knicks are New York City's longtime franchise, the Nets will get a piece of the Big Apple by moving to Brooklyn, probably in 2011. But in two years, don't be surprised if Jay-Z helps bring his buddy James to a franchise that will be attractive to play for by then.

Boston Globe

Jay-Z, Matt Cardy/Getty Images Jay-Z, Matt Cardy/Getty Images
June 29, 2008  09:59 AM ET

so what they are friends? At the end of the day LeBron needs to do what is right for him not Shawn Carter

June 29, 2008  10:09 AM ET

Is he a minority owner because he's black?

June 29, 2008  10:19 AM ET

Friendship goes only so far. Cleveland will do everything it can to keep LeBron too, and he is an Ohio boy. Also, every other NBA team will make offers. If he goes to the Nets will Bron have a supporting cast?

June 29, 2008  10:24 AM ET

umm yes he will hav a supportin cast of devin harris he gets the pt guard he wants VC he gets the guy that can also carry the load kristic who can free the lane for him cuz krsitic can shoot so he can pull teh defender away from the paint plus Yi will be more experianced as will both williams(s) nd im sure the nets will add another quality player b4 its time to go after lebron

June 29, 2008  10:39 AM ET

Sure with $.

June 29, 2008  10:55 AM ET

the article closes by saying that the Nets will be attractive to play for by then being 2011. Whats going to be attractive? Beyonce on the sidelines in her Sports Illustrated Bikini. I mean come on, Vince Carter and Yi dont sound like an attractive team to me, but throw in 7 foot Lopez from the Draft and maybe you have something going?

What is this writer thinking anyways?

June 29, 2008  11:07 AM ET

Is he a minority owner because he's black?

MrMiyagiJr | 06/29/08, 10:09 AM

LMAO

June 29, 2008  11:19 AM ET

This story is getting old already, and there are still 2 years before it could happen. LeBron isn;t going anywhere. The Boston Globe apparently ran out of Celtic propaganda and decided to try to stir up something else. LeBron isn't interested in chasing the money. He's chasing a championship. And Cleveland is probably closer than New Jersey to making that happen. Speaking of closer, the guy is 20 minutes from everything he's come to know and love--family, friends, and familiar surroundings.

June 29, 2008  11:28 AM ET

Star players need to begin to understand that with maxed out contracts like Lebron will recieve that it is hard for teams to bring in other decent players. The Lakers lucked out because Chris Wallace is an absolute dumb **** but otherwise wherever Lebron goes he will be hogging the majority of the salary cap making it near impossible for that team to acquire role players. Basketball is a team sport and it takes a team to win. Sure Lebron got pretty close but that cavs team got exposed and slaughtered by a balanced Spurs team. In the history of the NBA i do not believe there has been a single one man team ever to win the championship. It all boils down to whether your in for the money or the championship and in todays world more often than not its about the money. Let;s not forget that IF lebron were to take a pay cut he could still make up that "lost money" in his advertising.

June 29, 2008  11:36 AM ET

There's an entire marketing dimension that you guys are missing. You see, the Nets have suddenly gained the attention of a billion-dollar market in China, simply through the trade for Yi Jianlian.
Anyone who knows marketing would do research along the lines of estimating this impact. For example, Tracy McGrady probably gained a huge fan base in China simply because he is Yao's star teammate. Similarly, it would be good to measure the impact Tim Duncan has gotten in France and Argentina, simply by being the leader of the team having Parker and Ginobili.
Now, LeBron already has a global fanbase. If he were to join the Nets, this global impact would increase significantly because of the Chinese market.
On a general note - in the past, I have been a proponent of LeBron James staying in Cleveland, because team loyalty is something that needs to be restored to the NBA. Even with the lure of the Nets, there is value in LeBron staying with his true team.
However, the lure of New Jersey is becoming quite strong, and the impact of LeBron going there is indeed intriguing. The presence of Yi and Carter; the stake by Jay-Z; and the proximity to New York all make it a highly tempting possibility. Hence, I would not be surprised if LeBron gives into temptation and goes there.
- JL

June 29, 2008  11:44 AM ET

After that draft I think Lebron is ready to leave.

June 29, 2008  11:53 AM ET

I think which ever writer dreamed up this stupid non story should be fire immedietly ............

THIS JUST IN JAY Z HAS FANNATON WRITER FIRED WHILE LEBRON JAMES HAS SEX WITH HIS WIFE !

June 29, 2008  12:05 PM ET

I said it yesterday...name me all the superstars in the NBA whose team offered them a max deal and they left for less.......Shaq from Orlando....thats it.. no others.

It worked out well for shaq but it is a path seldom traveled. fact is that Carter will be old and not worth much by 2010. I, like the rest of you, know nothing about yi, as a mavs fan Ilike Devin Harris, and I love Brook Lopez. I give this move about a 12% chance of happening.

June 29, 2008  12:56 PM ET

Cleveland has a couple of problems.First, they have a laundry list of garbage on their squad. They won't be coming close to any kind of championship with what they have right now! Second, the allure of Brooklyn may be too much for James to deny. With a couple of moves you mean to tell me the Nets couldn't put together a formidable roster. The possibilities could be aligning!!

June 29, 2008  01:13 PM ET

Lebron once said he wants to make a billion dollars, and he defiantely won't be able to do that in Cleveland, I can see him chasing the money in NYC. Either way I will still be a Knicks fan draming of a ring in 2011!

June 29, 2008  01:16 PM ET

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. That is what this and all of the "Lebron going to NY or NJ" articles really say and mean at this point. You reporters and wishers are pathetic. Get new shtick and find something meaningful to report on.

June 29, 2008  01:28 PM ET

Yes Cleveland might not have the most appealing roster and I agree they need that one more player, but hey if it wasn't for a 10pt performance from P.J Brown or for Paul Pierce finally doing something in that series in game 7, the Cavs would have beaten the "great" Celtics team and they would have beaten the Pistons for the 2nd straight year to get back to the Finals...so the Cavs are not that far off from a championship, it could've very easily happened this year if it wasn't set up for a Lakers v. Celtics Finals.

Also, this talk about LeBron leaving to go to New Jersey is just pointless, he still has 2 more years on his contract which the Cavs will be in the hunt for a championship both years and secondly, the Nets aren't going to have much if anything better with their roster, also LeBron isn't going to be in it for the money, he wants to win a championship in Cleveland nowhere else, So tired of hearing these stupid rumors and speculating whats going to happen in 2 years.

June 29, 2008  01:34 PM ET

why do new york fans always give themselfs a mulligan when it comes to acting like morons? its becoming a habit of booing the knicks draft picks lately. then come the usa,usa chants. real class guys. do us all a favor, put some glass's on. there is life past your long nose. dont throw stones

June 29, 2008  01:42 PM ET

There's an entire marketing dimension that you guys are missing...<edited for space>...Hence, I would not be surprised if LeBron gives into temptation and goes there.
- JL

Jay L. | 06/29/08, 11:36 AM

That's one of the most interesting analyses of a potential trade situation I've ever read. Nice insights.

 
June 29, 2008  02:13 PM ET

Jay L, I pretty much thought the same thing as eyesWIDEopen when I read your post. Very interesting, well thought out and lots of substance. Good job!

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