1. LeBron James, Small Forward
James is obviously the most coveted free agent of this excellent class. His stat sheet is beyond impressive, and he will be able to take any team he joins to the playoffs within one year. Even though LeBron has won the MVP for two consecutive years, his leadership has recently been questioned because of the Cleveland Cavaliers' early exit (yet again) from the playoffs. In order for James to be successful in the NBA, I believe that he must have a running mate that COMMANDS attention because Mo Williams and Shaquille O'neal didn't make the cut. Antawan Jamison's defensive woes were exposed in the playoffs along with Mo's, so I do not expect LeBron to return to Cleveland. My front runner is the Chicago Bulls because of their solid young core of Derek Rose and Joakim Noah, but the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers are other options. A wild card team could be the Dallas Mavericks now that Dirk Nowitzki has decided to test the waters of free agency. Mark Cuban, the owner of the Mavericks, has already been fined $100,000 for LeBron related comments, and he has never been afraid to spend money to build the team he wants.
2. Dwyane Wade, Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade is another spectacular player who is a leader on his team. Contrary to the immense amount of speculation swirling around LeBron James, there is almost none surrounding Wade. The reason? I believe he will stay with the Miami Heat. The Heat have enough money to sign another max free agent (James, Bosh, Stoudemire) who could help put the Heat over the top in the Eastern Conference. Wade is a Chicago native, but if he went there I think that his style of play would conflict with that of Derek Rose. Both of these players are slashers and love to drive the ball. However, neither is a pin point shooter so a drive-and-kick option could be limited. Expect Wade to play in Miami next season, but to also have a max free agent as his running mate.
3. Chris Bosh, Power Forward
Bosh, although considered a superstar, has somewhat flown under the radar during his career in the NBA. He played for the Toronto Raptors, and the small media market did not allow him to be as exposed as a player of his quality should be. Bosh has been widely labeled as a "wingman" to a front-runner of a team to help win a championship. Bosh has been the go to guy on the Raptors, and I don't think that he can win a championship as the leader of a ball club. Don't get me wrong, Bosh is an extremely talented player who is good for a double-double almost every night. However, when a team's main threat is a post player, the team normally does not have much success (Dwight Howard and the Orland Magic anyone?). I believe we will know where Bosh will be playing once we know where James and Wade will be playing because he is most likely to join one of those two and make a run at a championship. There is the possibility that he could join both players in Miami though because apparently the three have talked about joining forces and dominating the NBA for years to come.
4. Dirk Nowitzki, Power Forward
Dirk is a surprise to many on this list. He originally was expected to re-sign with Dallas without much commotion. However, his recent declaration for the unrestricted free agent pool left many to wonder if he has played his last game in a Mavericks uniform. Dallas is comparable to Cleveland in the sense that they have incredible regular seasons but cannot produce come playoff time. Like Bosh, I believe that Nowitzki has to be the second option on a team. He is an excellent shooter and could be a great asset to a slasher like Wade or James. When all is said and done however, I expect Dirk to continue to play for the Mavericks next year, but to have a better second option that Caron Butler or Jason Terry.
5. Amare Stoudemire, Power Forward
Stoudemire has been criticized for his defense and rebounding by Charles Barkley as of late, but his impressive Game 3 in the Western Conference Finals showed why he is a popular player to lure to a ball club. Stoudemire, like Bosh, will look to sign with a front runner so that he can be the second option on a team. He has been dangled as trade bait at the deadline for the past two years, and I believe that if the Heat can't get James or Bosh, Stoudemire will be their man.
6. Joe Johnson, Shooting Guard
Although Johnson has also been recently criticized for his recent playoff performance with the Atlanta Hawks, he is a very good player with scoring potential. He might have cost himself a little bit of money due to the season ending sweep that was dealt to them by the Orlando Magic, but Johnson will be a coveted piece to a contender's puzzle come July 1st. My top two destinations for Johnson are Atlanta and New York.
7. Paul Pierce, Small Forward
Pierce has an early termination option on his contract, but I don't expect him to play anywhere other than Boston. Considering what the Celtics have done in the postseason would you move teams? The thought wouldn't even cross my mind. The resurrection of Kevin Garnett and the emergenge of Rajon Rondo as the BEST player on the Celtics (no that is not a typo) has made the Celtics look young again. Expect Pierce to remain in Celtic green next year.
8. Carlos Boozer, Power Forward
Boozer's situation is a lot like Stoudemire's. He was also mentioned in trade rumors with Miami this past February, and I believe he would be a good fourth option for the Heat. Although I'm not sure where the eccentric power forward will land, I am not going to rule out Utah at this point. Deron Williams has declared himself the best point guard in the league, but apparently he does not recognize the Celtics as an NBA team because Rondo is clearly better. However, Williams is the second best point guard in the league, and if the Jazz can remain healthy for the postseason next year, they could make a run.
9. Ray Allen, Shooting Guard
See Paul Pierce above. No further comment needed for this member of the Celtics. Although mentioned at the trade deadline, if he has a choice I think it will be to stay in Boston.
10. David Lee, Center
Lee has been the go to scorer for the New York Knicks for the past two seasons (although Al Harrington could also make a case). He is an excellent rebounder and also has a pretty good shot for a big man. However, his defense has been called into question. He is a tad undersized to successfully defend some of the more dominant centers in the league, but Lee is a good piece to a championsip puzzle. I see him remaining with the Knicks and possibly luring another player or two on this list to help him out in the Big Apple.
11. Yao Ming, Center
Yao has been plagued by injuries. Fine. He is still an incredible center with his arsenal of post moves and mid range jump shot. If Yao can recover, I believe there will definitely be interest in him but that he will remain in Houston.
12. Michael Redd, Shooting Guard
Redd has also been a frequent victim of the injury bug. I'm going to make a bold prediction and say his days in Milwaukee are over. That's right over. I believe that the Bucks will re-sign Salmons and with all of the young talent there is no need for Redd. If he makes a full recovery he is a good second option for any team.
13. Rudy Gay, Small Forward
Gay is a restricted free agent, and in my opinion, an underachiever. Every year we hear about how the Grizzlies could have a breakout year, and they consistently perform below expectations. The talent is there (Conley, Mayo, Gay, Randolph, Gasol), but for some reason this does not translate into wins. The Western Conference is extremely difficult, but if the Thunder have built up can't the Griz? My gut says Rudy will remain with the Grizzlies, and possibly sign a short contract and test free agency again in a couple of years.
14. Brendan Haywood, Center
Haywood played very well for the Mavericks after he came over in a trade from the Washington Wizards. I believe that he is a pivotal piece in the puzzle for Dallas, and that Cuban will make sure he re-signs with the Mavs this offseason.
15. Luis Scola, Power Forward
Scola has been a solid option for the Rockets in the past couple of years. He is a pretty good defender and an excellent rebounder. Because of the fact that he is a restricted free agent, I expect him to remain with the Rockets as they continue to grow around Kevin Martin and Trevor Ariza.
16. Al Harrington, Small Forward
Harrington is done in New York, especially if a max free agent is going to play for the Knicks. They simply do not have the money to keep both potential players. I am not sure where Harrington will land, however. I'm stretching here, but perhaps Cleveland? If their small forward leaves, the spot will be open and Harrington could be a viable option for the club. Another possibility? Phoenix. Harrington isn't max money, and depending on Grant Hill at the end of this season Phoenix would also be in need of a small forward's services.
17. Richard Jefferson, Small Forward
Quite possibly the biggest disappointment of this past season. He was supposed to bring the Spurs back to the top, but instead never looked completely comfortable in the offense. I don't expect him to stay, and could see teams mentioned above for Al Harrington in his future.
18. John Salmons, Shooting Guard
Wade will be playing for the Miami Heat next season. Done. You can put money on that now. Joe Johnson is a question mark for the Hawks. What does this mean for Salmons? Money. I expect the Bucks to aggressively try to negotiate with Salmons this offseason, but the Hawks could try to pry him away. Because of the fact that Salmons is a wanted man, he could earn a big payday this summer.
19. Roger Mason, Shooting Guard
What a breakout year for Mason! He excelled in the playoffs, and looked like a true option at the shooting guard. Although he is not a prime target for any team, he could be a good signing option for a team in need of a shooter. We all know the Magic love 3 point shooters, and with the recent playoff woes against the Celtics I don't see the same players coming back for Orlando next year. I do think Mason could be an option however.
20. Tracy McGrady, Shooting Guard
The man just wants to play and maybe, just maybe, win a championship or have any sort of playoff success. Who will pay him? No one at the amount he's been earning. However, McGrady could earn a nice salary and play for a younger team offering veteran guidance. Golden State or Sacramento would assure him a role, but the chances for winning aren't there. I think if New York negotiates a deal with him to take a cut, he could stay in the Big Apple and team up with a max free agent to give him the best final shot at winning.
Other Free Agents of Note: Raymond Felton, Brad Miller, Shaquille O'Neal, Derek Fisher, Jermaine O'Neal, J.J. Reddick, Allen Iverson, Josh Howard
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