By: Kevin Plaza
At 12 am this morning, NBA teams will have a chance to change the direction of their organizations, reverse their fortunes, bring fans back into their buildings and begin to build a championship contender. Tonight, NBA free agency begins. Teams will be wheeling and dealing, throwing years and dollars at different players. Some teams might not be able to afford to bid on the huge superstars, but these teams have plans. If plan A doesn’t work then you revert to plan B, then plan C and you can go down the list of different plans. Many teams have been planning and making moves for years in order to be players in this summer’s free agency frenzy.
The free agent class will be the biggest and best in NBA history. With players like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudemire, David Lee, Joe Johnson and Ray Allen, this class is foaded with talent beyond belief. There are rumors about many of these free agents meeting up and discussing moves to the same possible destinations. With teams like the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers having enough cap space to sign two or in some cases three of these free agents, countless rumors are flying about where these players will end up next season. Well your questions will be answered starting tonight.
Keep reading to see a quick breakdown of the top 5 free agents and where they possibly might end up.
LeBron James
James is in the conversation as the best player in the NBA with Kobe Bryant and another player on this list. He is big, physical and could be the fastest player end to end in the NBA. He instantly makes a team of bums a playoff contender and if he has a strong postseason, that team could be a contend for a championship. Although I would love to see him sign with my NEW YORK KNICKS, I do not think that is going to happen. I see LeBron signing with the Chicago Bulls or staying put in Cleveland.
Dwayne Wade
Mr. Wade is also in the conversation with Kobe and LeBron of the best player in the NBA. He has already won a title, has great scoring ability but is often injured because of the way he plays. He takes the ball to the bucket like nobody in the NBA. Wade gets fouled and hit hard more often then anyone in the league as well. I do not see any way that Dwayne leaves Miami and the beautiful weather.
Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh in my opinion is the best big man available in the free agency pool. He is a double-double waiting to happen. Bosh has a good scoring touch around the rim, excellent low post moves and a desire to win, even though he never has. He would be the perfect compliment to other free agents like Wade, James and Joe Johnson. I see Chris Bosh landing in one of three places, New York with LeBron, Miami with Wade or Chicago with Derrick Rose and if and only if LeBron signs there.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk is tall and lanky, he can score from the outside or inside. Although I do not see Dirky Dirk leaving Dallas, I also do not see him as a main player on a championship team. He needs a wing man. He needs to find a place where he can team up with another star to really have a chance as a championship. He is not tough enough to be the main player on a team. I see Nowitzki staying in Dallas and Mark Cuban bringing a star to him.
Amar’e Stoudemire
Amar’e is a beast. The guy has toughness built into him. He will get the ball in the basket at any means necessary, just don’t ask him to take a outside shot. He is a good defender, a solid rebounder and and excellent scorer that when coupled with another star, like a lot of players in this free agent class, will have a chance winning a championship. I see Amar’e staying in Phoenix or going where ever LeBron goes.
On a personal note, I have been told for the past three years that in the summer of 2010, the Knicks organization will sign a few of the top free agents and be able to finally play meaningful games. Right now, from what I have been reading and researching, the possibility of the Knicks getting anyone of the big three of LeBron, Bosh and Wade is slim to none. That is definitely not what I wanted to hear.
Just a quick note to Donnie Walsh, if you don’t make a big splash with one of these free agents, there are going to be many fans calling for your heads. So Donnie it’s time to get your pen and contracts ready and make some moves because the NBA and New York need the Knicks to be relevant.
