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As of midnight this morning (eastern time), the NBA free agency period has officially began. From July 1st to July 8th, teams are now allowed to negotiate with both restricted and unrestricted free agents. On midnight July 8th, teams will then be able to sign players to contracts. On midnight July 8th, the NBA might be turned upside down (in the east anyway). The greatest prize in the history of NBA free agency is rumored to be heading out of Cleveland, his home town, or is he? Oh yeah, there are also consolation prizes.
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Lebron James: Undoubtedly the youngest, most talented player since Michael Jordan is holding court in Ohio to hear pitches from a select few teams with the cap space to sign him. This is a disastrous blow to both New York and the Los Angeles Clippers, who were hoping to "woo" him with the glitz and glamor that each respective city is known for. Which gives a team like Chicago a great advantage. Not only do the Bulls have nearly enough cap space to sign two maximum free agents, they won't have to gut their roster via sign and trade. They are a young playoff team led by 22 year old Derrick Rose, and 24 year old Joakim Noah. Besides, Cleveland will not comply with a sign and trade (who blames them). Being known for the team that traded Lebron James will haunt them for an entire generation.
Teams most likely to sign James: Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, New Jersey, New York
Dwayne Wade: Just a notch below Lebron in terms of talent, Wade is expected to resign with Miami as he has been dropping hints since his teams playoff elimination. Originally from the Oak Lawn area (south west Chicago suburb), he was rumored to be interested in signing with Chicago. Those rumors were squashed when he made the comment, "Chicago is not known for loyalty, for taking care of their great players. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are not even involved with the organization, so that says something to me about loyalty". With that said, he is expected to resign with Miami, who (barring a trade of Michael Beasley, the no. 2 pick in the NBA draft in 2008) have enough cap space to sign Wade and two other max FA's. Would a team with Wade, Bosh, and Bron be able to coexist?
Most likely to sign Wade: Miami
Chris Bosh: The 6'10" 230lb Bosh has a developed inside and outside game, along with good rebound and passing skills. Not the defensive player Bron and Wade are; though he is the best big man in the FA class. Chris Bosh is unlikely to resign with Toronto, who have not made the playoffs the last two years. Early rumors pointed Bosh to "go where Lebron goes". While it is likely, he has made it known that he won't be taking less money to play next to anyone. There are various sign and trade rumors, the most being from Houston and Dallas (in his home state). Most rumors have him leaning towards Miami, although Chicago is still a strong possibility.
Most likely to sign Bosh: Miami, Chicago, Dallas (sign and trade), New York
Dirk Nowitzki: The 7' German forward/center has played his entire career in Dallas, and it is expected to resign. The reason Dirk has opted out is to get a new contract before a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, which is rumored to restructure maximum salaries with less years and a lower price tag.
Most likely to sign Dirk: Dallas, Cleveland (there are sign and trade rumors involving Lebron)
David Lee: Most NBA inner circles would be surprised with Lee being so high on my list. He had a stellar season in a contract year while playing in coach Mike D'Antoni's fast pace system. The only real knock on Lee is his defense. Strong rebounder, good passer, and a new mid range game make Lee an attractive player for teams lacking such a post presence. Teams interested will depend on where the big three land.
Most likely to sign Lee: any team with cap space that misses out on Bosh
Amare Stoudemire: Would have been higher on my list if not for issues regarding a history of knee problems and eyesight. Amare has owned the paint for the last 6 years, and now developed a mid range game as well. Expected to be pursued by Miami (in his home state), he lacks the low post defensive skills that would have made him a hotter commodity than Bosh. If Miami does not sign Bosh, they will go all out on Amare.
Most likely to sign: Phoenix, Miami, New York, New Jersey, Chicago
Carlos Boozer: The ex Duke power forward is a great rebounder, solid low post scorer (and efficient), yet like the rest of the top tier PF's in this ears FA class, has suspect defense. Due to Utah being over the cap, resigning Boozer will put them in the luxury tax threshold (something Utah is not fond of). They also have his replacement (Paul Millsap) at a much cheaper rate. Almost a sure thing to leave Utah.
Most likely to sign: New York, Miami, Chicago, New Jersey
Joe Johnson: Great scorer, ball handler, defender, passer who possesses exceptional length. His only knock is his ability to score in clutch situations (something Jamal Crawford helped alleviate). Has great range on his jumper (shot 48% from 3pt territory a few years ago while taking 370 attempts), which will be attractive to teams who have premier point guards ala Derrick Rose and Devin Harris. Is rumored to be interested in New York.
Most Likely to sign: New York, Chicago, New Jersey
Paul Peirce: Great all around player who has excellent range, and can force teams into foul trouble with his crafty jumper. Led Boston to an NBA title a few years ago, and is still expected to sign (he is likely opting out to get a new contract before the new CBA). Of all the players, is most likely to return to his current team. There are rumors of course that have him interested in signing with LA (Clippers) as it is in his home state, as they are in need of a perennial all star SF.
Most likely to sign: Boston, LAC
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Lebron James: Undoubtedly the youngest, most talented player since Michael Jordan is holding court in Ohio to hear pitches from a select few teams with the cap space to sign him. This is a disastrous blow to both New York and the Los Angeles Clippers, who were hoping to "woo" him with the glitz and glamor that each respective city is known for. Which gives a team like Chicago a great advantage. Not only do the Bulls have nearly enough cap space to sign two maximum free agents, they won't have to gut their roster via sign and trade. They are a young playoff team led by 22 year old Derrick Rose, and 24 year old Joakim Noah. Besides, Cleveland will not comply with a sign and trade (who blames them). Being known for the team that traded Lebron James will haunt them for an entire generation.
Teams most likely to sign James: Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, New Jersey, New York
Dwayne Wade: Just a notch below Lebron in terms of talent, Wade is expected to resign with Miami as he has been dropping hints since his teams playoff elimination. Originally from the Oak Lawn area (south west Chicago suburb), he was rumored to be interested in signing with Chicago. Those rumors were squashed when he made the comment, "Chicago is not known for loyalty, for taking care of their great players. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are not even involved with the organization, so that says something to me about loyalty". With that said, he is expected to resign with Miami, who (barring a trade of Michael Beasley, the no. 2 pick in the NBA draft in 2008) have enough cap space to sign Wade and two other max FA's. Would a team with Wade, Bosh, and Bron be able to coexist?
Most likely to sign Wade: Miami
Chris Bosh: The 6'10" 230lb Bosh has a developed inside and outside game, along with good rebound and passing skills. Not the defensive player Bron and Wade are; though he is the best big man in the FA class. Chris Bosh is unlikely to resign with Toronto, who have not made the playoffs the last two years. Early rumors pointed Bosh to "go where Lebron goes". While it is likely, he has made it known that he won't be taking less money to play next to anyone. There are various sign and trade rumors, the most being from Houston and Dallas (in his home state). Most rumors have him leaning towards Miami, although Chicago is still a strong possibility.
Most likely to sign Bosh: Miami, Chicago, Dallas (sign and trade), New York
Dirk Nowitzki: The 7' German forward/center has played his entire career in Dallas, and it is expected to resign. The reason Dirk has opted out is to get a new contract before a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, which is rumored to restructure maximum salaries with less years and a lower price tag.
Most likely to sign Dirk: Dallas, Cleveland (there are sign and trade rumors involving Lebron)
David Lee: Most NBA inner circles would be surprised with Lee being so high on my list. He had a stellar season in a contract year while playing in coach Mike D'Antoni's fast pace system. The only real knock on Lee is his defense. Strong rebounder, good passer, and a new mid range game make Lee an attractive player for teams lacking such a post presence. Teams interested will depend on where the big three land.
Most likely to sign Lee: any team with cap space that misses out on Bosh
Amare Stoudemire: Would have been higher on my list if not for issues regarding a history of knee problems and eyesight. Amare has owned the paint for the last 6 years, and now developed a mid range game as well. Expected to be pursued by Miami (in his home state), he lacks the low post defensive skills that would have made him a hotter commodity than Bosh. If Miami does not sign Bosh, they will go all out on Amare.
Most likely to sign: Phoenix, Miami, New York, New Jersey, Chicago
Carlos Boozer: The ex Duke power forward is a great rebounder, solid low post scorer (and efficient), yet like the rest of the top tier PF's in this ears FA class, has suspect defense. Due to Utah being over the cap, resigning Boozer will put them in the luxury tax threshold (something Utah is not fond of). They also have his replacement (Paul Millsap) at a much cheaper rate. Almost a sure thing to leave Utah.
Most likely to sign: New York, Miami, Chicago, New Jersey
Joe Johnson: Great scorer, ball handler, defender, passer who possesses exceptional length. His only knock is his ability to score in clutch situations (something Jamal Crawford helped alleviate). Has great range on his jumper (shot 48% from 3pt territory a few years ago while taking 370 attempts), which will be attractive to teams who have premier point guards ala Derrick Rose and Devin Harris. Is rumored to be interested in New York.
Most Likely to sign: New York, Chicago, New Jersey
Paul Peirce: Great all around player who has excellent range, and can force teams into foul trouble with his crafty jumper. Led Boston to an NBA title a few years ago, and is still expected to sign (he is likely opting out to get a new contract before the new CBA). Of all the players, is most likely to return to his current team. There are rumors of course that have him interested in signing with LA (Clippers) as it is in his home state, as they are in need of a perennial all star SF.
Most likely to sign: Boston, LAC
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Jay-Z doing his best to make that happen.