Part Two: An A – Z duo column: Where the NBA’s top free agents WILL sign and why

Posted by Andrew Kristy on July 1, 2010 · 5 Comments 

Today is the day. July 1st, 2010. The day that NBA fans, and sports fans across the world, have been waiting for for literally years. Some NBA teams (*cough* The Knicks) even began preparing for this day as many as two years ago. With all the rumors floating around, one persons guess as to where any of the NBAs prominent free agents end up is as good as the next persons. But while you’re here, check out where we think some of the NBAs top superstar free agents will end up when the 2010 NBA free agency period is all said and done.

David Lee

AK: David Lee can be the cornerstone to any NBA franchise that is serious about winning multiple championships. He’s 27, so he still has 5 solid years (if not more, which is likely) left in his tank. He’s a walking double-double. He doesn’t complain — or at least I haven’t heard or read anything that would beg to differ. And, he instills pride in all of those who don’t look athletic at all. Lee brings consistent play to the table, and if this wasn’t the summer of The Free Agent, he would be an extremely hot commodity. But, I think the Knicks are too enamored with with wooing LBJ that they may have forgot about DLee in the process (I mean, maybe they didn’t completely drop him off the map, but let’s be honest LeBron > David). Lee goes to the Suns because Phoenix looses Amare’ and will be in dire need of a big man.

ZM: There has been a lot of talk about David Lee going to the Nets. But I just don’t see what Lee gains by going to the crosstown Nets when he could stay in New York? Especially if the Knicks can land a big free agent, why would Lee decide to go to the Nets instead? I think that Lee stays in New York & partners with another big superstar the Knicks are expected to reel in.

Paul Pierce

AK: Yeah, so he opted out of his contract. But, Paul Pierce is a Celtic. Boston is still recovering from the beatdown from the Kobe Bryant Pau Gasol led Lakers. Pierce wanted to opt out just so he could torture Boston fans a little more. Isn’t it possible that he wants to take a pay cut to give the Celtics more room to snatch up another piece of the pie? Pierce has been with this team through its roller-coaster ride the past decade (see D. Ainge) and he’s not about to leave now that he’s the soul of a year in year out championship caliber team.

ZM: At first glance, it seems like Paul Pierce just opted out just for the sake of opting out to be honest. But when you put this situation under the microscope, it seems like Pierce might really be considering leaving Boston. He opted out of the $21 million he was due next season just to become a free agent. Pierce will end up entertaining some offers from the likes of the Clippers & perhaps the Knicks or Nets, but in the end, Pierce stays a Celtic. He badly wants to be among the Boston greats such as Bill Russell & Larry Bird, so I expect Pierce to keep that “C” on his jersey as he continues to add on to his legacy in Boston.

Dirk Nowitzki

AK: If Dirk Nowitzki leaves Marc Cuban for a grand payday somewhere else, then it’s a tragedy. I’m sure Mr. Cuban can dish out whatever Dirk wants (seriously) for him to stay in Dallas. The only reason Nowitzki would leave would be for a better shot at a title. Now, we all know the Mavs haven’t exactly gotten over the playoffs hump, but they’re oh so close. But, I think that Dirk has an allegiance to Dallas, so he stays.

ZM: I completely understand why Dirk opted out of his contract with Dallas. As Dirk has said for years and even reiterated this year before the playoffs began, he, like many NBA players, desperately wants a championship ring. Yes, the city of Dallas has been great to Dirk. Yes, Mark Cuban is everything you could ask for in an owner. The only problem though, is that the Mavericks are the Atlanta Braves of the 1990s. They can’t get over the playoff hump. The Mavericks have been to the NBA playoffs nine consecutive years, but only once have they made it to the Finals. That was in 2006, when the Mavs blew a 2-0 series lead against the Miami Heat and went on to lose the series 4-2. The following year in 2007, the Mavericks won 67 games, clinching the first seed in the western conference, only to lose to the eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round. This year, the Mavericks (seeded second behind the Lakers) lost in the first round to the seventh seeded San Antonio Spurs. I understand Dirks frustration. I mean, look what the Mavericks playoff failures have done to the world. In the end though, Dirk stays a Maverick. Jason Kidd & Caron Butler are still there. Perhaps the Mavs bring in another big free agent as well, who knows. But if there is one thing I would count on, it’s Dirk staying in Dallas.

Joe Johnson

AK: Joe Johnson is currently at a tattoo parlor getting inked up. Why? Because he has New York Knick written all over him. Atlanta is an upcoming basketball franchise, but their AAU style of play doesn’t work with Johnson (as shown vs. Orlando). His former coach from the Suns, Mike D’Antoni will be running a run-n’-gun Steve Spurrier type of offense. If The King goes elsewhere (like in this scenario) J Squared gets the opportunity to flaunt his overlooked skills in the Big Apple. Although Johnson may seem like an “afterthought” to Knicks fans, he may fit in better with D’Antoni (gotta look on the positive side, right?).

ZM: Up until about twenty-four hours ago, all signs seemed to be pointing Joe Johnson in the direction of Madison Square Garden. However, everyone knows that this free agency period is changing on a daily, if not hour by hour, basis. With recent reports that Joe Johnson will receive a max salary contract offer from the Atlanta Hawks, I believe that Johnson will remain a Hawk. This is starting to get repetitive, all of these superstars staying where they are, but it’s the truth. Atlanta is where Joe Johnson feels comfortable and the Hawks, who were seeded third in the eastern conference playoffs this year, do not seem to be far off from a championship run. Every year for the last four years, the Hawks have improved their record by at least six wins. After winning 53 games this past season, perhaps the Hawks truly reach a new level this upcoming season & become legitimate contenders.

Amare Stoudemire

AK: I honestly had little to no clue on what I was planning on writing here. Amare’ baffles me. If I was him, I’d want to stay in Phoenix. Also, if I was him I would place mirrors around my driveway, just so that I could watch myself dunk basketballs. But, sadly, I’m not. So, Amare’ heads to Miami to collaborate with DWade and I’m assuming Pat Riley. Stoudemire brings in the powerful, menacing  force that the Heat have been lacking since Shaq, and could push the Heat deep into the playoffs with the help of #3.

ZM: Amidst all this off-season free agency confusion, one thing is clear: Amare wants out of Phoenix. The chances of Amare returning to the Suns next season are about the same as Jamarcus Russell winning NFL MVP next season. And considering Amare is money hungry, no better fit for him than the income tax free state of Florida, where Amare can partner with Dwyane Wade & instantly form one of the best guard-big man combos in the NBA. Sorry Suns fans, but cross Amare off of your mid-summer wish list. He’s as good as gone. Miami is a great fit for Amare both on & off the court.

Chris Bosh

AK: I like Bosh, a lot. He’s so versatile that I feel like he could line up at Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs and score goals. If you watch him play, he’s borderline impossible to guard. That being said, he’s blowing on over to the Windy City. Bosh is the number 2 most coveted free agent (Wade is 3 — multi-talented bigs > multi-talented guards) and I think that he follows LeBron to wherever he goes. I want to see Bosh and James play together for an NBA team and I also think that they want to create a double edged sword together.

ZM: My dark horse destination for Bosh is none other than planet Pandora. No I’m not talking about the radio. I’m talking about planet Pandora, the home of the Avatar civilization. And don’t tell me that Pandora is not a real planet, because that could result in some horrible tragedies. All kidding aside though, I believe Bosh ends up in Chicago. Signing with the Bulls is the move that makes the most sense for Avatar, I mean Bosh. Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah & Chris Bosh are a formidable trio that would have the city of Chicago back on the basketball train again. The Bulls would automatically (on paper) become contenders in the eastern conference. Bosh is 26. Rose is 21. Noah is 25. The Bulls would be competing for NBA titles for years to come. Forget Pandora, Bosh is going to the windy city!

Dwyane Wade

AK: SO many rumors surrounding this man. I think it’s possible that I read them all. After gathering all of the Wade sports-gossip, I’ve concluded that he’s staying in Miami. If he gets Amare’ (this scenario) early on in the signing period, then it’s a lock. His heart is in Miami and I think that he appreciates the fan base he currently has there. Wade is going to get the money wherever he goes, it’s all about who presents the best opportunity to win. However, Miami has a leg up on the competition because it’s been Wades Team. And, if the Heat can snag a big name FA like I think they lure Stoudemire, Wade stays.

ZM: Wade loves the city of Miami. All he wants is a little help on the court, and can anyone blame him? Besides winning one title with Shaq in 2006, Wade has never had a true Robin to his Batman. His best help since Shaq was probably Udonis Haslem. No offense Udonis, but you are not a cornerstone of an NBA franchise. With Stoudemire signing with the Heat, Wade finally has the help he deserves as he tries to reel in a few more titles before his playing days are done. Wade doesn’t want to play in Chicago for obvious reasons. Look at the way Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf ran Phil Jackson & Michael Jordan out of town. You think Wade wants to get caught in that mess? While the Bulls and even the Knicks are both enticing offers, Wade knows deep down that the city of Miami has been & will continue to be loyal to him. Look out eastern conference, Wade is ready to rock with Amare.

LeBron James

AK: We’ve certainly all heard about him. But, I have a funny story about what I heard about LeBron James’ free agent escapades. My sister has a friend who recently went “clubbing” with LeBron (so she says…). And, this said friend got word from one of LeBron’s homies that LBJ is going to Chicago. Now, although that story is probably completely false (but how awesome would it be to go clubbing with LeBron? I’d take a simple handshake, but clubbing…Wow!) it makes sense. LeBron would be able to hang his jersey next to Jordan’s (if he stays true to his current pace and brings back a title, or two), he’d still have a major city to market in, and he’d only be 343 miles away from Cleveland. Now, maybe Cavalier fans wouldn’t appreciate him ditching their team, but they could still feel close to him with LBJ only being a 6 hour drive away. A team with a budding star (Rose), a hustler (Jo Noah), Chris Bosh (in this situation), and LeBron, just wouldn’t be fair.

ZM: I’ve been saying it since August & I’ll say it again: LeBron James will be a New York Knick. LeBron is a diva. He loves the limelight. He loves putting on a show for the fans & there is no bigger or better stage to put on a show than Madison Square Garden. Besides, Kobe in Los Angeles and LeBron in New York just seems fitting. LeBron is a basketball player yes, but do not think that he doesn’t take his career off the court just as serious. Yes, wherever LeBron goes he is going to get massive endorsement offers, but New York City is a city like no other. Picture it now. The billboards in New York with LeBrons face on it. LeBron wants to be more than a basketball player. More than a star. He wants to be a global icon. Sorry, but global icons aren’t recognized in Cleveland. They are seen in New York. On the court, LeBron has the opportunity to do something special. With the help of coach Mike D’Antoni & David Lee, LeBron can turn around one of the NBAs most popular franchises & help the Knicks win games immediately. The lights will shine & LeBron will fit well in his soon to be new blue & orange number six Knickerbocker jersey.

Advertisement

Filed under NBA