Time now for James to pay up

As the clock ticks toward free agency, LeBron James insists it's all about winning.

To some extent it would be if James sacrifices $30 million by signing somewhere other than Cleveland.

But let's challenge James to a higher-stakes game of fantasy basketball, Financial Division, just as we should every free agent in any sport who says it isn't about the money.

James insists he will choose a team based on the best chance to win NBA titles rather than on money, geography, cash, museums, dollars, hot chicks or big bucks.

Well, folks, there is a way to prove it beyond a doubt.

First, though, let's review all the incentives I propose to entice James to sign here:

Rename the United Center the James Center; rename the team the Chicago LBJs; let him fire Tom Thibodeau; surrender Derrick Rose to the Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade deal for him -

Finally, Jerry Reinsdorf could promise to move the Bulls to James' hometown of Akron, Ohio.

OK, so those few hundred miles would be going too far, but it has reached the point where clubs are prepared to go to the ends of the earth to land the so-called King.

This week James can return all the favors by sacrificing more of the free-agent money due him for a better chance to become the champion he claims to be intent on being.

The Bulls are positioned with approximately $30 million of salary-cap room, enough to sign one player to a maximum contract and another to a bit less.

In the name of winning, James could take the bit less so the Bulls could flatter Chris Bosh with the prestigious max.

Seriously, didn't James say he is all about winning? That means he isn't all about money, right? Sharing the cash to share a title would be fitting, don't you think?

James shouldn't stop there, however, considering he already has enough money to purchase the entire NBA if he doesn't earn another dollar in his career.

What James really should do is offer to accept whatever the league minimum is for a seven-year vet - maybe a couple of million lousy bucks - so the Bulls would have more cap room to add, say, Joe Johnson.

The starting lineup on opening night would be forwards James and Bosh, guards Johnson and Derrick Rose, and center Joakim Noah.

Hey, a King's ransom is only money, and James did say he's about collecting victories rather than dollars. Heck, there's enough endorsement money in Chicago to make up $100 million anyway.

So, big fella, demonstrate that, for a change, not being about the money means that it really isn't about the money.

Why should it be unrealistic for a professional athlete to put his money where his proclamations are? Doesn't he expect ownership to ante up for championships?

NBA players didn't blink when the Lakers' Jerry Buss exceeded the salary cap to win a title but cringed when Reinsdorf refused to pay the NBA luxury tax on high payrolls.

Meanwhile, few NBA players in their prime willingly take a smaller contract for a bigger shot at a championship.

Well, by placing a huge dollar value on it, James would demonstrate how much of a priority winning really is.

Yeah, I know, that's fantasy basketball, Financial Division, but it's still fun to ask LeBron James how much he would pay for a ring.

mimrem@dailyherald.com