The greatest free agent class of all time (LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, and Dwayne Wade) started at midnight tonight where players can start officially negotiating with teams and sign starting July 8. There have been countdowns on ESPN and other media outlets. The calculus of the LeBron has changed because of teams dumping salary, making trades, and pulling out all the stops. LeBron will be hosting the Knicks and Nets at a neutral site in Ohio.
I have long believed that LeBron would have stayed in Cleveland if he won a championship. He didn't and lost in the second round to the Celtics, on my birthday no less. That changed the entire equation. LeBron knows he doesn't have the pieces to win as Shaq is too old and the other players don't step up. Cleveland fired former NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown and GM Danny Ferry. Changing executives is okay but not for the sake of change. Who's next? Tom Izzo correctly passed on the coaching job as he wasn't sure or didn't think LeBron would stay in Cleveland.
There are many theories about where LeBron will go as the Heat, Bulls, Nets, Knicks, and other teams vie for his services. Chris Bosh is reported to travel with LeBron as part of a "Dream Team" package. This story is too fluid to comment on that. This is what I would tell LeBron.
LeBron, Thanks for the call! What is most important to you? Is it winning a championship, fame, fortune? You would already say fame and fortune so I would say winning a championship is key.
Heat: Dwayne Wade is great and Bosh is too. South Beach is great and there is no income tax. But who else do they have?
Bulls: There is a great nucleus there with Noah and Rose. You can play with Bosh but you have a rookie head coach. You would also be chasing Jordan's ghost and have to deal with colder winters.
Knicks: Great city and arena but what team? You need role players like David Lee but the Knicks don't have enough to sign you, Bosh, and David Lee. What about other positions? Andy Rautins was a good draft choice but is only a rookie.
Nets: Yes, they are playing in Newark now but will be in Brooklyn in two years. They have a billionaire Russian owner with eight model girlfriends. Jay-Z is one of your closest friends and a minority owner. A successful young coach who has a ring as a player and had a good run in his first coaching job with the Mavericks. They have lots of young talent and you are in the largest media market.
If you want to be a billionaire immediately, ask Mr. Prokhorov for a stake in his mineral companies. Maybe even a portion of the YES Network. Mr. Prokhorov is going after Bricks fan with a 225 foot by 95 foot mural in the shadow of Madison Square Garden. Photo of Jay-Z and Mr. Prokhorov with “blueprint for greatness” courtesy of the New York Times.
Bottom Line: I would sign with the Nets and bring Bosh or Joe Johnson with me. The Nets give you a chance to win a championship and become a billionaire.
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The Tank's Fearless Predictions: The only certain thing I can say is that Chris Bosh will leave Toronto, maybe in a sign and trade. Houston is in the running for trading for the Dallas born Bosh.
This calculus is affected by other free agents who might be involved in sign and trade deals like Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, and Amare Stoudamire. If they do, the amount of combinations grows exponentially. Who can trust Carlos Boozer after he burned the Cavs in 2004?
If the Knicks can’t sign LeBron, they go to Plan B and sign Joe Johnson.
Posted by The Tank enjoying the Greatest NBA Free Agent class of all time.