The 2010 free agency period begins in the NBA on July 1st. That is not stopping me from making a list of where I think the top-8 free agents (in no particular order) will end up. Unfortunately, this doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where I think they should end up, placing some guys in places that may or may not be very attractive depending on who you talk to. So, with that being said, here is my list:
James and Rose on the same team? Come next season, it's a distinct probability
Lebron James
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
New Team: Chicago Bulls
Analysis: This one is becoming a lot more clear as the days get closer to free agency, in my opinion. I think ‘Bron has been eying this move down for quite some time. Not necessarily to Chi-Town, but out of Cleveland in general. Yes, I know he’s from Akron. Yes, I know he’s the King of Ohio. This means absolutely zilch to this point now as he has put himself in a position to bounce from one Central Division team to another (especially amid this report that came out today). And the idea of following on in Jordan’s footsteps could entice the guy, rather than deter him from signing with Chicago. What does all of this mean? Well, I’m sorry to say Cleveland fans, but I think Lebron will be a Bull come July.
Chris Bosh
Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
New Team: Chicago Bulls
Analysis: Bosh out of Toronto is a given. There is absolutely 0% chance that the guy is wearing a Raptors jersey again. That being said, I think his most attractive option would be to play with Lebron James in Chicago. I referenced a report above that said an NBA exec has already come out and said Lebron and Bosh to Chicago is a “done deal.” Not sure if that is entirely accurate, but for an exec to come out and say something that bold (unnamed of course because free agency hasn’t officially started) tells me that this story may have legs. I’m buying it. I think Bosh and Lebron will be teammates this upcoming season. Imagine those 2 teamed up with Rose, Noah and Taj Gibson. I’m telling you, this team might be scary good.
Dwyane Wade
Previous Team: Miami Heat
New Team: Miami Heat
Analysis: I think D-Wade is the 2nd most attractive free agent out there behind King James. I know he could go anywhere he wanted and get a max-contract. The problem is I don’t think he wants to leave South Florida. Wade is in dire need of some help and, because of this, it is obvious that he has thrown out feelers to anyone who would listen that he could leave if not given what he wants. I just don’t see him following through with those actions, especially now that the possibility of James-and-Bosh-in-Chicago is becoming an even stronger possibility. He loves Miami and he loves the Heat organization, and I think he sticks it out and re-ups with the team that drafted him 5th overall out of Marquette, especially since I believe the next guy on the list migrates his way.
Carlos Boozer
Previous Team: Utah Jazz
New Team: Miami Heat
Analysis: Remember last year when the talk was that the Jazz and Heat were on the verge of agreeing to a trade that would send Boozer to South Beach? Me too. Remember how that didn’t come to fruition? Me too. This time around, I think the guy gets what he wants. Boozer still lives in Miami with his wife in the off-season with their 3 children and I believe the opportunity to play at home and with the best player in the NBA not named Bryant or James is too enticing to pass up. It is because of this that Boozer pulls the trigger and inks with the Miami Heat. A team of Wade, Boozer and Beasley, who I still think is going to become very good in this league, could be a real tough out come playoff time.
Joe Johnson
Previous Team: Atlanta Hawks
New Team: New York Knicks
Analysis: Joe Johnson has not been secretive when discussing the New York Knicks; they have emerged as the front-runners to secure his services this upcoming season. That being said, don’t expect Atlanta to go down without a fight. They are a very good team that doesn’t want to give up their superstar. The problem is they have a new coach in Larry Drew and the attraction of living and playing in New York might be too glamorous for Johnson to pass up. This reason is the selling point for him, I believe, and this is why Johnson will be donning a Knicks jersey next year.
Amare Stoudemire
Amare in New York seems like a safe bet
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
New Team: New York Knicks
Analysis: So, James and Bosh in Chicago, Wade and Boozer in Miami, and now Johnson and Stoudemire in New York? Yep, 3 teams knocking out the top 6 free agents is what I expect to happen. Amare staying in Phoenix has never been a very realistic possibility I thought, even though Alvin Gentry did a very nice job with him this past year. But with Mike D’Antoni (Amare’s old coach in Phoenix) running the Knicks offense and Joe Johnson signing on to play for New York (an ex-teammate in Phoenix), I don’t see Stoudemire passing up the opportunity to re-unite with those 2. Amare to New York might be a sure-thing.
Dirk Nowitzki
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
New Team: Dallas Mavericks
Analysis: This one was a lot closer to call than I had originally believed. It’s not so much that I think Dirk wants to leave Dallas, but I’m not sure that A) he’s sold on what Dallas has right now regarding a deep playoff run (they are probably the most disappointing team in the NBA come playoff time) and B) he has probably pondered, “What would it be like to re-unite with ex-teammate Steve Nash in Phoenix?”. I know this sounds somewhat far-fetched, but seeing Nowitzki and Nash playing together again would be awesome. And if Amare leaves, that would free up the cap-space for Phoenix to go out and get a Dirk Nowitzki. Personally, I like plan B better than plan A (I’m a Rockets fan, remember?), however, in the end, I don’t see Dirk bouncing out of D-Town.
David Lee
Previous Team: New York Knicks
New Team: New Jersey Nets
Analysis: I would have said Lee to the Nets is a done deal if they hadn’t gone and drafted Derrick Favors. Also, I would have said he re-ups in New York if the Knicks hadn’t gone out and got Amare. I even could have said Lee to Oklahoma City, Portland or Washington. Maybe Toronto? Nah, in the end I stuck to my gut and said Lee still signs with New Jersey. I know they selected Favors with the 3rd pick, but Favors is only 18 years old and is far from NBA-ready. Also, Lee is incredibly comfortable in New York and has built his life around the N.Y. lifestyle. If you have to leave, the best place to go is New Jersey if you don’t want to venture too far off the beaten path. This is Lee’s best alternative and this is what I think he does.