With all eyes in the NBA on this year's free-agent class which includes a number of marquee players such as LeBron James, D-Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, and the underrated talent of David Lee among others, the next couple of days are guaranteed to be full of excitement and surprises. And if the aforementioned names above aren't appealing enough, those who opted out of their contracts with their current teams include All-Stars Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki. However, both of which are rumored to be close to signing new deals with their respective squads. Small Forward Rudy Gay led off the free-agent frenzy by re-signing a 5-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies worth $82 Million dollars. Days after, it was learned that swingman Joe Johnson had agreed to a 6-year deal worth $119 Million dollars to remain in Atlanta. Both of whom are worth nowhere near the dollars they'll be making if you ask me.
The first big name free-agent to sign elsewhere would be Amar'e Stoudemire who ditched Phoenix to play in the Big Apple as a New York Knickerbocker. Stoudemire's 5-year deal is estimated to be worth $99.7 Million dollars. In the hunt for LeBron who just so happens to be this offseason's biggest attraction, the Knicks are hoping to get off to an early start in impressing the one they call 'King James'. Although Stoudemire is a big man and is someone every player would like to surround themselves around, Chris Bosh is rumored to be James' ideal go-to big man. Rumor has it that James is trying to recruit Bosh to join him in Cleveland. Bosh however hopes to play alongside LeBron anywhere but Cleveland in what would be a sign-and-trade acquisition.
The latest speculation involving Bosh however has him teaming up with D-Wade in South Beach with enough money leftover to acquire another key player. All of which could lead to a lethal All-Star cast if LeBron decides to join them. But that won't be known until James announces his decision via ESPN tomorrow in what will be a live one-hour program starting at 9 PM. Normally I would call LeBron a attention whore for pulling such shenanigans as announcing his decision in front of a live television crew, but considering the money raised will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of America, I won't be too harsh on the guy. Similar to the Knicks, the Bulls are also hoping to impress James by making an early splash and landing center Carlos Boozer.
A few free-agents that don't create as much buzz and hype as they once did, is Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson. Reports are in that Shaq has suitors in Boston, Atlanta and Dallas. Given the circumstances that Boston will be without their starting center Kendrick Perkins for a lengthy period of time, the Celtics would be his best fit in my opinion. Iverson on the other hand wants to return for a final season with a team that feels he could help. But if the 'help' he's referring to doesn't include coming off the bench, I don't see a team taking a chance on him. Beginning last year in Memphis before being shipped mid-way through the season back to Philly and taking a leave of absence due to his daughters health, A.I. refused to come off the bench. Perhaps he would reconsider and be willing to accept the role of a bench player this time around. Then again that may be his only option.
What do you think will be the next big move? (comment below)
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