Thursday at 12:01 a.m. EST, various NBA players including LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will become free agents, opening up what could be the biggest class of free agents in the history of the NBA.
James, 25, is coming off a 2009-2010 campaign in which he averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. The 6’8” small forward completed his seventh year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing in the second round to the Boston Celtics.
Interested teams include the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
Bosh, the 6’10” power forward from Toronto, ended the 2009-2010 season averaging a double-double with 24 points and 10.8 rebounds. Those averages give him a double-double for the second straight year, and his third in four years.
Many teams are interested in Bosh, including the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. However, the only way the Lakers could acquire Bosh is through a sign-and-trade since they are over the salary cap.
At 28, Wade is the oldest of the big three free agents. Born and raised in Chicago, rumors surfaced as early as 2008 that Wade was going to move to his hometown Bulls. However, ESPN has reported that Wade would prefer to stay in Miami if he can win.
The 6’4” guard scored 26.6 points last season, bring his career scoring average up to 25.4 points per game.
After those three sign contracts, teams with salary cap space available will be chasing multiple All-Star free agents, including Amar’e Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns, Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz, Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.
The New York Knicks have the most salary cap room, with enough for two maximum salary players if they refuse to resign any players heading towards free agency. That would include letting 27-year-old PF/C David Lee go to free agency. Lee, a 6’9” fifth-year player from Florida, averaged 20.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game last year under Head Coach Mike D’Antoni.
The Nets, Bulls and Heat each have enough for one maximum contract, with extra money to go after other free agents. The Heat could have enough for two, but the only way that would happen is if Dwayne Wade actually does opt out of his 2010-2011 player option.