Bob Cook

It appears LeBron James was the only NBA star during the offseason who didn’t demand a trade, demand to be traded, or demand he get a say on where he would be traded.

James had reason to demand something this offseason. He got his Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals even though the lineup, other than himself, looked like some scrubs he picked up in Akron on the way to the gym. Entering this season, the Cavaliers look even worse. Forward Anderson Varejao and guard Sasha Pavlovic haven’t made it to training camp because of contract holdouts.

But if James were seething, you’d never know it. Unlike Kobe Bryant, he hasn’t gone on the radio to demand a trade, called his owner an “idiot,” or ripped his general manager or any teammates on a video leaked like a celebrity sex tape. James has acknowledged to reporters that the team would be better if Varejao and Pavlovic were on it, but he’s not inserting his considerable influence into the negotiations. “I’m not signing deals for Andy or Sasha, and I’m not making deals for Andy or Sasha,” the Akron Beacon-Journal recently quoted James as saying.

James’ concentration on improving his jump shot — as ex-pro Eddie Johnson pointed out in his Hoopshype.com blog, James missed his first 60 midrange jumpers in the Spurs series — instead of throwing his weight around would seem laudable and refreshing. James has conducted himself with beyond-his-years maturity and humility since stepping into the NBA at age 18. So it seems logical that James would worry about his own business, and leave the personnel business to somebody else.

However, James might have other reasons he’s playing it cool. Mainly, that it only enhances his considerable leverage with Cleveland to sit tight and wait, to do as my great aunt always told me during games of cribbage: “Breast your cards.” Unlike many of the other players who have demanded trades, James isn’t approaching 30 or the last few years of his career. He’s doesn’t turn 23 until Dec. 30. He’s got time. And he’s got a reputation to protect.

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James won’t say anything about Varejao and Pavlovic because, in a sense, he wins no matter what the Cavaliers do. If the Cavaliers sign Varejao to the six-year, $60 million deal he’s seeking, and if Pavlovic gets the long-term deal he wants, then James at least doesn’t have to worry about the roster turning over for a while. The Cavaliers at least would contend again in the Eastern Conference this year.

But if the Cavaliers don’t sign the two of them — by god, what insane person would give a six-year, $60 million deal to a player whose most marketable skill is flopping? — James might have an even more inferior cast, but he also would have a better shot at getting some serious help in a few years.

After next season, $25 million worth of contracts in the persons of Eric Snow, Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones come off the books. Another $10.8 million would disappear if Zydrunas Ilgauskas decided not to pick up his player option, though in his mid-30s, he may well find that’s his best option.

Those $25 million in contracts would be desirable assets entering 2008-09 for a team who might want to get rid of a pouty star with a long-term contract, such as Memphis (Pau Gasol) or Indiana (Jermaine O’Neal). Or they could open up cap space after that season to sign a free agent such as Elton Brand, Baron Davis, Mike Bibby or Gilbert Arenas. (All have player options entering the 2008-09 season, so it’s possible they could be had earlier if any of those teams want to dump salary or feel they don’t want to lose a player for nothing.)

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