So in case you weren't aware, the best basketball player in the world (sorry, Kobe fans) is going to be a free agent this summer. Then again, if you are a basketball fan and you weren't aware, you were probably living under a rock these past two years.
Yes, LeBron James is the headliner of arguably the best free agent class in professional sports history. There are other prizes to be sure -- Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and more -- but the real prize is LeBron. And because we're talking about LeBron James, who has not expressed any real hints about where he'll sign this summer, there's been a ton of speculation about where he'll end up. Hell, there's been speculation that he'll end up with the Lakers, of all teams. This despite the Lakers not having cap room and already having Kobe Bryant on their team.
Who does have a chance at LeBron? A whopping eight teams -- New York, Miami, Chicago, New Jersey, Washington, Sacramento, the LA Clippers and Minnesota -- have enough cap room to sign James to a maximum contract. Four of those teams -- the Knicks, the Wizards, the Clippers and the Bulls -- traded away either important players or major assets at the trade deadline in order to create more cap room to sign James. We obviously cannot forget about James' current team, the Cavaliers, who are the only team that can offer him a six-year contract regardless of their cap situation (not to mention that they're also the best team in the NBA and are based near James' hometown). Finally, there are the teams that have assets for a possible sign and trade arrangement, like Dallas and Houston.
In other words, this is going to be crazy. There will be a lot of rumors and we're going to do our best to track all of them here. But before we get started, allow me to offer some random odds on where LeBron might sign, keeping in mind that a) this is all speculation, and b) we're still four months from LeBron becoming a free agent.
Cleveland: 2-1
New York: 6-1
Miami: 6-1
New Jersey with John Wall: 10-1
LA Clippers: 12-1
Dallas (in a sign and trade): 10-1
Houston (in a sign and trade): 15-1
Chicago: 20-1
New Jersey without John Wall: 25-1
Washington: 40-1
LA Lakers:1,000-1
I'm sure those odds are way off, which is why this will be fun. Gentlemen, start your engines!
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Chicago?
What I’m surprised about is the fact that the number change isn’t bringing up the fact that LeBron doesn’t want to be compared to Jordan. If that’s the case, why on earth would he go to Chicago or would Chicago even be in the running to land him this summer? Another thing to consider with New Jersey which would add two more odds in New Jersey moving to Brooklyn in a season or two and with John Wall (5-1 minimum). New Jersey with our without John Wall and with no move to Brooklyn (never).
by Alex Goldstick on Mar 3, 2010 3:32 PM EST reply actions
I thought the reason he changed numbers is because he admired Jordan
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Mar 3, 2010 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
He changed numbers because “he admires Jordan” aka he can’t have his own legacy if every time someone looks at the number 23 they think of MJ and not LBJ. Secondly, the Nets are rebuilding this year, not next year. Plug a superstar or two into that lineup and they are immediately contenders in the east.
by Alex Goldstick on Mar 4, 2010 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
Miami should not be that high
I don’t think that Lebron wants to share the spotlight with Wade. I think he wants the team to be his not his and Wade’s team. Although I do think he would be willing to sign on a team with Bosh.
Also I don’t think NY has a good a chance at him as people think. Sure NY has a lot of money and could probably sign him and Bosh, but then it would basically just be him and Bosh at that would basically be your team (ok I guess you can throw in Gallinari). I think that if Lebron decides to leave it will be because he thinks he has a better chance at a championship elsewhere. I don’t think NY even with an additional super star offers any better a chance at a championship then Cleveland does.
And I know a lot of people will laugh but I think the Clips make the most sense out of any of these teams. The clips will have the most complete team, he will have an all star at point in Baron, another all star in Kaman, a future all star in Eric Gordon, and the number one pick Blake Griffin at power forward. This much more then any other suitor could offer Lebron. And that doesn’t even count that Lebron would likely get his choice of head coach (and who would say no to a chance to coach Lebron).
So my final odds for where Lebron would land:
Cleveland 2:1 (still the most likely choice)
Clippers 8:1
New York 10:1
Miami 10:1
New Jersey with Wall 15:1 (why would he go to a rebuilding team)
Dallas sign and trade 15:1 (as good as it sounds I just don’t see it happening)
Houston sign and trade 20:1 (what could Houston offer realistically)
Chicago 20:1 (more likely that Wade signs here then Lebron)
New Jersey 50:1 (Lebron wants a championship now)
Washington 50:1 (I don’t think he wants to get involved in the mess and there isn’t much of a team left)
Lakers Bazillion:1 (Only possible way this happens is if Kobe leaves and I don’t see that happening)
" Baron for the win, BINGO!!!! The Clipers Win, The Clippers win!!! "
Ralph Lawler
by bestclipfan on Mar 3, 2010 3:57 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
houston cud offer
ariza, 1st rounder (the one they cud swap with NYK), Hill, plus other stuff i guess
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Mar 3, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
The Rockets have
Some cap room, two really high draft picks from the Knicks and young talent (Brooks, Budinger, Hill). They have assets.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Mar 3, 2010 5:51 PM EST up reply actions
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