July 1 Predictions

[Jeff]

so how do you think it will all shake out for the big name free agents and teams with lots of cap room?

1. where will James go?
2. who will be most stacked?
3. who will get left out of the race?

if you listen to W. Wesley, it sounds like it will be LeBron and Bosh going to Chicago

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtQEBmiUwWOdtjC9fKQoGhy8vLYF?slug=aw-lebronfreeagent062510

To listen to World Wide Wes, LeBron will never look back on Cleveland. “He’s up out of there,” is the way he tells it to people, but LeBron’s Akron crew has to tsk-tsk such public talk because they all live in Northeast Ohio, and maybe always will. “We’re going to Chicago,” William Wesley tells people, “and Chris Bosh(notes) is coming, too.”

I think that leaves Miami with Wade, Stoudamire, and maybe Rudy Gay

I think both the Knicks and Nets get left out of the party for the most part and have to settle on the leftovers

[Drucci]

LeBron and Bosh to Chicago makes a lot of sense if they want to win a championship (or multiple ones) but I still have a hard time seeing LeBron play in Chicago, in Jordan's shadow. With that said, he has already stated that he would wear #6 so it leans towards Chicago too.

I think LeBron and Bosh go to Chicago, Stoudemire and Joe Johnson to Miami, Rudy Gay to NJ, and then every team fills out their roster with role players willing to take discount prices (especially in Chicago).

And to think that Thibs will probably coach a starting 5 of Rose/role player/LeBron/Bosh/Noah... wow, scary.

[Jeff]

the only thing I wonder about with JJ going to Miami is if he and Wade can share space since they play the same position - I suppose JJ could shift to SF but I think he's a better fit at SG

[misha]

All this free cap space and almost all of it in the east. Lakers are most probably will coast to the finals next year again from the sleepy west. Lebron the Clippers anyone?

[Cman]

1. James stays in Cleveland
2. Heat will be most stacked (Dwade and Boozer)
3. Losers: Tie -- The New Jersey Nets/ Toronto Raptors
(Bosh to Knicks, Joe Johnson stays in ATL, Amare stays in PHX)

[Papatrichs]

I predict that the top tier guys stays put and the rest will be topsy turvy.

[slamtheking]

during the season I thought for sure NJ had the inside track for Lebron (the move to Brooklyn would have been a huge selling point) but I think he ends up in Chicago now.

Call me crazy but I think Bosh lines up with Wade better than he does with Lebron.  

Chicago lands Lebron and Amare.  Miami keeps Wade, signs Bosh and Gay (after trading Beasley to the C's for Sheed's retiring contract).  Knicks get Joe Johnson and Boozer because they're a marquee franchise but I think they'd be a much better fit in NJ with Lopez.  In the end, most of the teams under the cap will be left with none of the big name free agents and will throw too much money at players that don't deserve that much.

Ray stays in Boston.  Dirk stays in Dallas.

[feckless]

1. James stays in Cleveland
2. Heat will be most stacked (Dwade and Boozer)
3. Losers: Tie -- The New Jersey Nets/ Toronto Raptors
(Bosh to Knicks, Joe Johnson stays in ATL, Amare stays in PHX)

sounds right to me--good job

[PosImpos]

To Miami: Wade, Amare
To NY: Joe Johnson, Boozer
To Chicago: LeBron, Bosh
To NJ: Rudy Gay
To Cleveland: Nobody!

[Donoghus]

I've been pretty adament the past year that Lebron is returning to Cleveland.  I'm waffling a bit now (Chicago is gaining steam) but not quite ready to let go off the return to Cleveland bit.

If Lebron remains in Cleveland, then Miami will be the most stacked team.  They'll resign Wade and nab either Bosh or Amare.  My thinking is that it'll be Bosh.

If not, Chicago is going to be loaded.  They'll get Lebron and then nab either Boozer or Amare.

Knicks are going to get left out in the cold.  They'll throw a max contract at Johnson and overpay lesser tier FAs. 

[Drucci]

I have a hard time understand people who think LeBron is going to stay in Cleveland. What are the advantage for him of staying put, aside from financial advantages? The only reason he would stay in Cleveland is because they can offer him his biggest contract, but that's it. This team has no future.

[PosImpos]

I have a hard time understand people who think LeBron is going to stay in Cleveland. What are the advantage for him of staying put, aside from financial advantages? The only reason he would stay in Cleveland is because they can offer him his biggest contract, but that's it. This team has no future.

If LeBron stays in Cleveland, it means he values loyalty over anything else - including winning a championship.

LBJ is not winning a championship with Mo Williams, Andy Varejao, and Antawn Jamison as his supporting cast.  I think he knows that.  He'll be playing in a different jersey next season.

I almost feel bad for Knicks fans.  Almost.  This time next year they'll be die hard fans of Boozer and Joe Johnson, though.

[feckless]

"If LeBron stays in Cleveland, it means he values loyalty over anything else - including winning a championship.

there is no guaranty of a championship anywhere and loyalty is a positive value>

[indeedproceed]

Chicago: Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh
New Jersey: LeBron, David Lee
New York: Amare, Ray Allen
Miami: Carlos Boozer, Wade

[mkogav]

1. where will James go?

I have always felt that LBJ would resign w/ Cleveland for three years. Cleveland would have to make a S&T to get another premiere player. This is the rub. I just don't see it. Hickson & West's contract won't get either Bosh or Amare.

Therefore, I am going out on a ledge and saying LBJ will end up with the Fakers. Why? Because I feel doom in the air.

2. who will be most stacked?

Fakers and Miami (Wade + Bosh + JJ or PP?)

3. who will get left out of the race?

The Cavs and Knicks.

Chicago will do ok if they don't get LBJ. JJ wants to go there and maybe Boozer.

Mk