This summer’s free agent class could well be the best ever in any of the American sports.
There is so much potential talent out there this year that even if a team fails to sign their second or third-choice target, the fourth will still be a quality player. For instance, if your third-choice target is Chris Bosh and you fail to sign him, you still have the option of signing someone like Amar’e Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer.
However the depth of the market plays second fiddle to the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade sweepstakes. Everyone wants to know now if they will both opt out of their contracts and where will they go if they do. It seems a formality that both will opt out given the money they can make on the open market and even opting out and re-signing with their current teams is a very realistic option.
In fact, teams are dumping payroll in order to have space under the salary cap to sign one or two superstars.
The New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and the Miami Heat are the teams which look like they will have enough cap room to offer max contracts to two players. Of course the dream for the Heat is to re-sign Wade and bring in LeBron as a free agent but with the salary cap expected to be lowered next year it could be a stretch to partner both of the players.
If Wade and LeBron stay with their respective teams there are still a number of top quality players on the market. Here are the top 10 free agents this summer.
1- LeBron James
Arguably the best player in the NBA, James is the player everyone wants to sign in the summer. He is not even a definite free agent but all signs point to him opting out. He was last year’s MVP and is having another quality year, and will likely win another MVP award. If you know where he is going to end up then you have the answer to the million-dollar question. It is highly possible that he remains with Cleveland but it is also possible that he opts and decides to go play in the Big Apple.
2- Dwyane Wade
Wade has one thing James doesn’t and that is a NBA Championship ring. Wade has openly admitted playing with LeBron would be something he would like but admits it’s a long shot. Miami have a lot of cap room which means they will likely re-sign Wade if he opts out. New York will be a suitor for Wade as they look sign a franchise player.
3- Chris Bosh
It looks as if Bosh will definitely move on from Toronto this year as the team has failed be consistently competitive since he was drafted. Bosh could go anywhere this summer and New York will be one of his top suitors. The question will be if he wants to go to another struggling franchise, but if the Knicks can sign another star, Madison Square Gardens might see Bosh in the Knicks blue.
4- Amar’e Stoudemire
If Amar’e hits the market he will attract a lot of interest from around the league. He is an offensive machine and should be able to return to the form which had him score 25.5 PPG in 2008. He was restricted to only 52 games last season due to eye surgery but is working his way back to being the dominant force he was in 2008. The Suns will desperately want to re-sign Stoudemire who has formed a formidable pick and roll partnership with Steve Nash.
5- Joe Johnson
Johnson has already expressed his desire to test the free agent market in the summer. He leads the Hawks in scoring this year and has helped them become a force in the east. He could re-sign with Atlanta but might earn more money elsewhere. Any team looking for a top quality shooting guard will be keeping a close eye on his situation.
6- Carlos Boozer
Boozer wants to leave Utah for Miami. The question is does Miami want him? That all depends on if they can get LeBron or Bosh. If they do, then Boozer will be looking elsewhere but if they don’t Miami will be phoning Boozer’s agent looking to discuss a deal. However there have been rumours that Boozer’s agent has opened discussions with the Jazz about a contract extension.
7- David Lee
Lee led the league in doubles last season but defensively offers little to a team. He struggles to block shots and averages less than a steal a game across his career. However if you are looking for 16 points and 12 rebounds, Lee is your man. It looks unlikely Lee will stay in New York as the Knicks look to sign LeBron and one other star player in the summer.
8- Manu Ginobili
He is not the player he once was but his experience and winning pedigree make him an attractive prospect this summer. He is the Spurs’ sixth so signing as a sixth man with another won’t be a problem for him. Where he ends up is anyone’s guess but don’t rule out a two-year deal from the Spurs.
9- Tracy McGrady
T-Mac is well known for his injury problems, but he is also well known for the natural ability he possesses. He is one of the premium scorers in the league, and all-time, but he has never been past the first round of the play-offs. So do you sign him to sell tickets? Or do you sign him in the hope his injury problems are behind him and make him part of your contending team and hope he breaks his jinx? The Knicks may have some interest in re-signing T-Mac if the price is right.
10- Ray Allen
He’s 34 and, let’s face it, he’s not the force he once was. However he can still be a useful addition to a team who need scoring. Through 70 games he’s averaging over 16 points a game. But his current three point percentage is 40 points below his career average and that is some cause for concern. Boston might decide to keep him but if he wants to stay with the Celtics he will have to take a substantial pay cut from his current $18.7million salary.
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