Post#20 » by RJM » Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:52 am
Lebron James - Leaves Cleveland and either signs with New Jersey, New York, or Chicago. He's done in Cleveland. Aside from Miami (where he could team with Wade and become the next MJ-Scottie duo), New Jersey would be the ideal situation for him due to their young growing talent (Harris-Lopez-#3 Pick-talented bench). He would be able to slip right into the SF spot and potentially bring someone like Joe Johnson (if NJ drafts big) or Carlos Boozer (if they go with Turner somehow). That team would definitely be a dangerous team in the East if that happens.
Dwyane Wade - Remains in Miami and recruits Chris Bosh to come to town. Joe Johnson possibly takes a paycut, but that's borderline pipe-dream status. Former Laker Pat Riley is a BEAST at constructing contenders, and Wade-Bosh is an awesome duo to build around. He gets the job done, Wade stays, and we likely see them in the Finals next year.
Chris Bosh - See D-Wade
Amare Stoudemire - After all this talk of him going to Miami, Riley passes on his uncertain future and he opts to sign with the Chicago Bulls alongside Ray Allen. With D-Rose, Noah, Deng, and Johnson locked in, the Bulls become a Top 4 team again in the East, echoing the days of Jordan and Pippen. A lineup of Rose-Allen-Deng-Stoudemire-Noah could do some damage in the East.
Dirk Nowitzki - Stays in Dallas/Signs in Phoenix and reunites with Steve Nash. It could go either way here IMO.
Carlos Boozer - He's really up in the air right now. If Amare signs in New York, Booz becomes a Bull. If Amare signs in Chicago, Booz becomes a Knick or Net. I suppose it would have to depend on what happens with Lebron in this situation. Ideally, I could see Boozer landing in Chicago where he said he'd like to go from the beginning of last summer. A Rose-Allen-Deng-Boozer-Noah lineup isn't too bad, especially considering the Bulls have sorely needed a post presence since Elton Brand.
Joe Johnson - Has a variety of options here. I highly doubt he returns to Atlanta unless he's in another uniform. Joe may either follow Lebron wherever he goes, team with Amare/Boozer in either Chicago, New York, or New Jersey, or join Wade-Bosh in Miami as the third major piece, albeit at a bit of a paycut.
Ray Allen - May very well leave Boston, especially since he now sees that the team will deteriorate very quickly, and his championship has already been won. Ray may seek greener pastures elsewhere, and the Chicago Bulls have sorely missed a long range threat since Ben Gordon and John Salmons departed. Ray can still put up 20 a game, and I see Chicago going hard after Ray's services as well as the services of a legitimate low-post threat. Joining the Bulls alongside an all-star caliber PF would catapult the Bulls into contender status. Again, Rose-Allen-Deng-STAT/Boozer-Noah is NOT a bad lineup to field next season if you're Tom Thibideau.
David Lee - Could either sign with the Nets or remain in New York depending on what happens to the legitimate Power Forwards in the market. Face it, I'm just not convinced that he's a legitimate 20-10 threat. Everyone's stats are inflated under D'Antoni, and it doesn't help that NY sucked last season. That being said, Lee's still a great rebounder and would fit in nicely next to Brook Lopez.
Jermaine O'Neal - Really put up a stinker of historic proportions in the First Round this season, but will still get a decent contract as those struggles could be attributed to a recently hyper-extended knee sustained shortly before the Playoffs began. I could see him signing with the Knicks and starting for them almost immediately on the condition that they are a legitimate contender. I would say that he re-signs with Miami, but he'll likely ask for far too much money than what Miami will offer (veteran's minimum) and then leave.
Tracy McGrady - If I were a Mitch Kupchak, I'd go after this guy. He's not the dominant scoring threat that he used to be, but he'll be an awesome cog in the Bench Mob's rejuvenation! T-Mac's a SF that can run the offense well at that height (something PJax has always loved) and can coexist well with just about anyone. He'll know his role here, and we'll be sure to have scoring off the bench. What else would we do with part of our MLE? This guy needs to get out of the 1st round! Plus, his minutes won't be staggering so we won't have to worry too much about him breaking down.
Shaquille O'Neal - If anyone gives him more than the veteran's minimum, I'll be shocked. He likely goes to Dallas and orchestrates Dampier's departure for some more talent. Mark Cuban's likely going to bring Shaq in, jettison Dampier, and retool this Mavericks roster to show Dirk yet again that he wants to win. Dallas is likely the place for Shaq once Mitch hangs up the phone laughing and Lebron demands that Shaq not sign with whatever team he's on.
Brad Miller - At this point will become a veteran's minimum signing. It's likely that he re-ups with the Bulls or even seeks out Lebron. For all we know, he could land in Miami or even New York to help shore up their front line once their major signings are settled. Brad could honestly go anywhere, and could end up on just about any team outside of Chicago.
Allen Iverson - Likely....well I really don't know. Call me when his attitude relaxes.
