Does anyone else think that this big free agency class is going to be a lot less exciting due to players getting together and moving somewhere as a team. I mean, Lebron, Bosh, Wade, Amare, Dirk etc.....you have to think they will all be talking with each other and trying to do some sort of package deal. I could see both Bosh and Lebron going to NY......or maybe Amare and Lebron, or Dirk and Lebron......or Wade and any of the PFs.... It just seems like maybe for the first time ever, teams are going to be played instead of the other way around. Maybe it will break down to where they all go their seperate ways, but for some reason, I doubt it. DD
It's overrated. Only Bosh, Joe Johnson, and maybe Amare are switching teams. LeBron is staying in Cleveland Wade in Miami I think Dirk will still end up re-signing with Dallas.
Not if you are a team like the Rockets who are trying to get just one of them, and they are not really available. DD
I was kind of surprised about Dirk leaving, but i think he'll end up staying, wanting a bigger contract... The Rockets need a bigtime signing, but I just don't it'll happen...I hope I'm wrong, but just don't think so...LJ, he's going somewhere other than Cleveland, IMHO...
Dunno, but maybe THIS is true, and Dirk will resign with the Mavs with reduced pay depending on the Mavs' adding a good player this offseason.
I doubt they're all talking to each other asking but who knows. My 2 cents on things: LeBron James stays in Cleveland or goes to Chicago Wade stays in Miami. One of the PFs(Boozer, Bosh, Stoudemire) sign there with him. Dirk stays in Dallas 50/50 on Joe Johnson leaving Atlanta. If he does, not sure where he goes, maybe New York. Could maybe see one of the PFs go to New Jersey, not sure which one. Mark Cuban makes a "big" trade. Not necessarily for one of the FAs. Rockets also somehow, someway come out of FA(S&T) with someone, not sure who.
The thing that intrigues me the most about this offseason is: Who is going to make the first move? Which free agent is going to sign a contract first that sets off the reaction? Most people would say Lebron James and that signing would determine where Wade goes, and where Bosh goes, and subsequent to those signings the lesser free agents will be picked up by teams to fill gaps in their rosters. Alternatively, teams could start to plug holes in their roster first... at least those that are not looking to get Lebron/Wade/Bosh. But I think all free agents will be waiting to try and join these 3 guys at their new teams. I think this free agency period could see a lot of delay in the main action... I think the major signings will occur towards the end just like the frenzied trades that take place close to the trade deadline.
I am with you, DD. It's like playing in the playground, and the three best guys say, "We're a team, and the rest of you can team up whatever way you want." It takes all the fun away.
It may be overhyped, but it is not overrated because we don't really know what's going on between those guys. The only one of those players I am pretty sure will stay is Dirk. All the other top guys may stay of may leave, but they are at least considering leaving.
I Think ego's will protect teams from this situation. Once the GM's start pitching woo and and some players fell like 2nd fiddle they will be open to other teams.
I've got a bad feeling that LeBron will lure Bosh to go wherever he is going. Bosh, to me, seems like a follower, not a leader. The guy in grade school that gets the new pair of Jordans or gets the new haircut just because everybody else in the school has it and he just wants to fit in. Wade, on the other hand, seems like he will not be pushed around by LeBron. Actually, it should be the opposite for him. Wade has a ring, LeBron doesn't. He is higher on the totem pole if you ask me. I rank these as the most important to the least important notable free agents. 1. Wade 2. LeBron 3. Bosh 4. Amare 5. Dirk 6. Johnson 7. Boozer 8. Gay
Boozer and Wade team up in Miami, I think Lebron stays in Cleveland, if not there then he goes to Chicago, Amar'e ethier goes to NY and underpreforms due to not having Steve Nash, Dirk re-signs with Dallas, Bosh gets sign and traded, possibly to Houston, Rudy Gay ethier goes to Clippers or New York(in New York he gets payed lebron type money), New York waives David Lee, thinking they can get Lebron+Bosh or Wade, David Lee then signs to another team(not sure who) and is significantly overhyped
I predict Boozer will screw some team like he did to Cavs, maybe Miami: 1. Boozer gives verbal commitment (a near max contract) to Miami to pair with Wade 2: Wade signs extension with Miami 3: NY fails to sign any top FAs 4: NY offer max to Boozer and Gay 5: Miami cannot offer max to Boozer because they used some money on other role players 6: Boozer signs with NY
True But I meant all of those teams that were preparing for 2010 will be let down if they thought they were getting LeBron or Wade. I forgot about Boozer too. I think he is likely to leave Utah too.
Good thread to talk about. This summer is gonna be really exciting, tust to follow it and see where guys go. And you may be true, those guys may want to join one team together. Especially LeBron who is probably tired of losing and wants another star near him to win his title. For NBA fan it would be even more attractive. But for Rockets' fans (fighting for Bohs) not so much.
I honestly could not blame the players for doing what is in their best interests, but it does sort of screw the rest of the NBA. What happens if Lebron decides he will take a Max deal to play in Chicago, if they do a Sign and Trade for Bosh? Man, with Rose, Bosh and Lebron.....yikes ! DD
I think you're blowing this way out of proportion. How is it screwing the rest of the NBA? Every year Free Agents have their list of teams they want to go to and teams that they don't want to go to. Only difference is it seems like their are more marquee names in the free agent pool this year.
I expect to see some player collusion. We've seen it before. They may build a powerhouse, but I don't think it could be anything that would imbalance the league. The CBA does a good job of keeping a level playing field.
