2010 Free Agency Begins, So Who's Going Where?

"The Biggest Free Agency Class in The History of The NBA" has now officially begun, and has been underway for only two days, and already numerous big name free agents have met with multiple teams. The question now is where will LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and many other big names end up when it's all said and done. With all these reports coming out of team and player meetings, I thought it would be fun to rank the likely hood of each team's chances of obtaining the top free agents services, So let's get to it.

LeBron James F: The King, and Crown Jewel of This year's Free Agency Class

1. Chicago Bulls - While James has yet to meet with the Bulls, I think right now they are the leading candidate to sign him. ESPN has already reported that Dwayne Wade had a second meeting with the Bulls, and is leaning towards signing with them. You add Wade, to a roster already helmed by All-Star PG Derrick Rose, and Joakim Noah, that would be a great nucleus for LeBron to be surrounded by and win a couple championships with. It would also really be a tough offer and team for LeBron to turn down.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ah yes I'm sure many of you maybe surprised by this but, I think Cleveland is right there with Chicago to keep LeBron in his hometown. The Cavaliers like the Bulls have yet to meet with LeBron but, they will talk to the him tomorrow about staying home. The Cavaliers just hired Byron Scott as there new head coach which definitely helps there chances of retaining James. Scott is the exact type of coach LeBron wants to play for, you add that on top of LeBron being loyal to his home team, and the Cavaliers chances continue to grow. Also there's a little guy out there named Chris Paul who maybe on the trading block, Paul's former coach Scott is now in Cleveland, and one of his best friends is LeBron James. If by some way the Cavaliers can pull of a trade for Paul, LeBron will have to think really, really hard about staying put.

3. New Jersey Nets - Apparently the New Jersey Nets meeting with LeBron went fairly well, which is a plus for the them. A billionaire owner with a desire to win, one of your best friends as a co-owner(Jay-Z), a coach who has been to the finals, and the team eventually moving to Brooklyn. That is a lot of positives there for the Nets in there hunt for LeBron, and on top of that you add a young group of players led by Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, and recent draft pick Derrick Favors to play with. If the Nets can add one of the other top free agents such as Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Amare' Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, etc..., I think the Nets have a serious chance to add LeBron to there team.

4. Miami Heat - With the recent developments of Dwayne Wade reportedly leaning toward the Bulls, Miami's chances of getting LeBron are becoming slim. If Wade stays in Miami to me they are the front runner in the race for LeBron. A roster lead by Dwayne Wade, and say Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, or Amare' Stoudemire would look real good to King James.

5. New York Knicks - There presentation and meeting with LeBron apparently didn't go as well as the Knicks Executives thought it did. Plain & Simple the Knicks roster is garbage, ya the thought of playing in New York, and MSG, and winning a title there is great but, when your supporting cast is horrendous that thought is just a mere dream and not reality. If the Knicks can sign Amare' Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Dwayne Wade, or Chris Bosh maybe LeBron considers coming but, as of now Knicks fans should just hope for a duo of Stoudemire, and Johnson to come to the Big Apple.

6. Los Angeles Clippers - There pitch sounded pathetic, and there meeting was shorter than any other team that has met with LeBron so far. There owner Donald Sterling wasn't even in attendance for the meeting which is just another negative for the Clippers. They also basically tried selling LeBron on business opportunities, and location which I think clearly LeBron could careless about. I think LeBron was just being courteous by meeting with the Clippers, and I would be stunned if he ended up there.

Dwayne Wade G: The Second Superstar

1. Chicago Bulls - Before today I would have had Chicago #2 in the running to get Wade but, due to the recent reports that Dwayne Wade met with the Chicago Bulls for a second time today, and is reportedly leaning towards signing with the team, I got Chicago as the front runner now. With Chicago already having Derrick Rose, and Joakim Noah on there team, Wade would have a solid core to win with now. Add to the fact that Wade is a Chicago native, the thought of playing at home for Wade I'm sure is enticing to say the least. If Wade were to sign with Chicago it would then leave the doors open for the Bulls to go out and get Chris Bosh, and LeBron James, which is even more of a case on why "Flash" will end up in his hometown.

2. Miami Heat - Wade has said he wants to stay with Miami, and has been very vocal about trying to gather other free agents to come join him there. With that being said the Heat currently only have two players under contract, and it's said that Wade isn't sure the team can build a championship contender around him, with the allotted cap space they have obtained. If Miami can go out and sign any two of the top free agents, I think Wade stays.

3. New York Knicks - Wade came out of his meeting with the New York Knicks saying "It was a good meeting, it was a real good meeting and I will say I'm intrigued,". I think if the Knicks can get a commitment from Amare' Stoudemire who is scheduled to fly out to New York tomorrow and hammer out some details on a max contract with the team, then I think there chances sky rocket on landing Wade.

4. New Jersey Nets - All the benefits of playing with the Nets that I mentioned before with LeBron, are all the same here with Wade. A owner willing to spend money, a great coach, and a young core of players to play with are all very intriguing things to say the least. I think like the Knicks, if the Nets can get a commitment from another big name free agent who can then help recruit Wade to New Jersey, I think the Nets will be in pretty good shape of acquiring him.

Chris Bosh F - The Missing Piece

1. Houston Rockets - I really think Houston is the dark horse, and current front runner to land Bosh. Houston's meeting with Bosh was said to go well, and was presented to Bosh in high-tech fashion on a iPad. Bosh has constantly said he wants to be a #1 option wherever he goes, and in Houston he will be able to be that, Bosh is also a Texas native which helps Houston's case. Also add to the fact if healthy he can play alongside an All-Star C in Yao Ming, and a supporting cast led by Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, and Luis Scola. I think Bosh fits perfect in Houston, and can turn them into a contender who can win championships right away.

2. Chicago Bulls - Chicago could easily be considered the favorite to get Bosh due to the fact of Bosh's close friend, and fellow free agent Dwayne Wade reportedly leaning towards playing for the team. In Wade's second meeting with the Bulls it was said that Bosh was also in attendance for the meeting and was being sold on the potential of playing alongside Wade, and LeBron James. If Bosh can go to Chicago and play with Wade, LeBron, Derrick Rose, and Joakim Noah it's going to be very hard for him to pass on the Windy City.

3. New Jersey Nets - Bosh's meeting with the Nets according to his official twitter was "very good", Bosh also said about the Nets presentation that "These guys really know how to sell a franchise". I know I sound like a broken record here but, for Bosh regarding New Jersey it's the same situation that LeBron and Wade are in. A owner that's willing to spend, and wants to win now, a coach who's been to the finals, and a young, potential filled supporting cast to play with. If the Nets can add one of the other top free agents to play with Bosh, there chances of signing the big man increase drastically.

4. Miami Heat - Not much to really say on this one if Miami can keep Dwayne Wade, then they probably are the favorite to add Bosh to there team.

5. New York Knicks - The Knicks meeting and presentation with Bosh was according to him a "impressive one". Again currently New York's roster is garbage, and if Bosh was just to commit to them he would be making a grave mistake, and be in a much worse situation than he was already in, in Toronto. If the Knicks can somehow get a commitment from Amare' Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Dwayne Wade, or LeBron James I think Bosh would heavily consider joining them but, it has to be at least one of those four I think before Bosh commits to playing in New York.

6. Toronto Raptors - Sorry Raptors fans there is zero chance you retain Bosh. If I were one of you I would thank Chris Bosh for his seven years of hard work, and dedication to your team. It would really take an absolute miracle or Chris Bosh hitting his head on something for him to remain a Raptor.

Since I've gone on long enough I'm just going to give some quick predictions if you will on where some of the other top free agents will end up.

Dirk Nowitzki - He's staying in Dallas no question about it.

Amare' Stoudemire - Well one thing is for certain STAT's days in Phoenix are over. Right now I would heavily favor the Knicks as his new team but, if for some reason he doesn't end up there I would give the Heat, and Bulls both good chances of acquiring his services.

Joe Johnson - Johnson was offered a max deal by his current team the Atlanta Hawks and has said to be leaning towards accepting the offer. If he doesn't I think Johnson will end up with the Knicks or Bulls, and I wouldn't count out the Rockets or Mavericks either.

Carlos Boozer - Basically where Boozer ends up really depends on where Chris Bosh, and Amare' Stoudemire whind up. I fully expect Boozer to end up with the Bulls, Heat, Nets, or by a long shot his current team the Utah Jazz.

David Lee - Lee is pretty much a lot of teams Plan B of sorts. I think Lee is most likely going to end up with the T'Wolves but, I also think he will heavily consider the Heat, Nets, and Bulls.

Ray Allen - I think Allen will stay put with the Boston Celtics especially with Doc Rivers coming back to coach the team, and Paul Pierce re-signing with the team. If Boston doesn't want to pay him expect the Heat, and Cavaliers to make a serious push for him.

So that is my take on where this year's top free agents will end up, now let me hear yours. Remember I'm just a 18 yr old kid who's an avid basketball fan giving his take on this subject, I'm no insider just a fan. Looking forward to the next couple of days to see where all these guys will end up playing, and calling home. The wait if finally over, there's decisions to be made, and one thing is for sure, The landscape of the NBA as we know it can easily change dramatically within the next couple of days.

Blog – 1 year, 7 months ago by MMAInsight to Basketball. 665 views.