PROTECT THE PAINT

The Los Angeles Clippers have created enough salary cap space before the trade deadline that pursuing a max contract player next season is now a reality.

GM Mike Dunleavy made waves this week by shipping Marcus Camby to Portland, making off with $3 million in cash, and dumping the contracts of Sebastian Telfair and Al Thornton.

Hypothetically speaking, the Clippers can initiate a legitimate run at LeBron this summer.

Dunleavy is coming after LeBron this summer. (Credit: picapp.com)

It’s absolutely insane if they didn’t. They have to. There is no doubt in my mind they will. If not, Dunleavy should fire himself again.

If LeBron wins the Championship this year it should assuage the pain of leaving Cleveland.

Why would he remain in Cleveland? He will have appeased a 46-year drought of championships in Cleveland. He will have made his mark in sports history, Right?

Wouldn’t the fans at least forgive him then?

Here are a few factors he would have to contemplate. After all, Money talks. You know what walks.

First and foremost, the remaining Clippers are young and gifted. The exception being Baron Davis, but he can still play, so he remains gifted. They have every position other than small forward (LeBrons’ position) equipped with legitimate NBA starter-grade material:

• Baron Davis, PG
• Eric Gordon, SG
• Blake Griffin, PF
• Chris Kaman, C

Secondly, the global marketing and endorsement opportunities readily available to James in Los Angeles dwarf those in Cleveland. LeBron can grow his global brand in Hollywood, start accepting acting roles in film and television, and make meeting “big wig” Hollywood producers a habitual daily luncheon.

The New York Knicks or New Jersey Nets could try to compete with Los Angeles in this capacity, but their rosters are abysmal compared to the Clippers. I can’t actually fathom I just wrote that, but I did. It’s true.

LeBron claims he is about winning and the money is not most important, but can we really take him at his word? He has made plenty of statements he has later rebuffed. The dunk contest being the most recent, highly-publicized, snubbed promise. Is this just another false promise?

Los Angeles will be fumbling for a new coach this summer which gives LeBron the option of influencing Dunleavy on a decision. Another factor for heavy consideration. Choice of coach? Who would not want that?

So, lets recap shall we? The factors favoring LeBron’s consideration of signing with the Clippers during free agency include:

• James has free reign to hand pick a new head coach. Dunleavy would do anything to swoon James, period.
• A talented young core featuring Blake Griffin whom combined could be the best forward tandem ever.
• Direct access to Hollywood’s entertainment industry and global marketing domination.
• The opportunity to be the King of the Staple Center. Having Los Angeles fans defecting to LeBron does an ego good, and would help squash disputes over who is the best.

Detracting factors detrimental to serous consideration :

• The “Curse of the Clippers.” Season ending surgery is a realistic possibility upon signing. Ask Griffin.
• Donald Sterling, known racist owner who considers winning turning a profit.

If James signs with the Clippers he could draw many Laker defectors into seats. NBA fans in Los Angeles could then polemicize for years about who is better.

I don’t think it will happen, but there are more positive factors outweighing the negative.

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