<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 26 2008, 12:43 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Feb 26 2008, 12:28 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 25 2008, 06:43 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This is still a pipedream, though. It seems like every year there's some rebuilding team that's positioning themselves for that big splash: the Knicks always seemed to be targeting those big names, the Lakers were supposedly making a run at every up and coming big man over the past few years(Yao, Amare, Bosh), and now the Nets, by virtue of Jay-Z, apparently have the inside track on Lebron in a couple seasons.
But, its all hype and very little substance. Despite all the rumours and speculation, I can't remember the last superstar that, in his prime, left his team through free agency. Tracy McGrady and Gilbert Arenas come to mind, but both players left just before they hit superstardom and their teams were hamstrung financially. Rashard Lewis maybe, but his former team was in cost-cutting mode and he was given a ridiculous contract. Marbury did as well, but he's a headcase and not really all that good when it comes down to it. I'm actually brainstorming out loud here and can't come up with a single player.</div>
This guy use to play for the Magic and left as a free agent
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Wasn't that before the current form of the CBA that has a limit to player contracts? Since then, almost all superstar free agents have re-signed with their old team. I'm not saying Lebron won't leave, but the evidence suggests that its a longshot.
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Yes it was a couple of CBA's ago, but that still didn't make it a frequent occurrence.
The point is that a transcendent player did it before. LBJ has demonstrated that you have to toss convention on its ear when discussing him and his plans.