http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10061All summer long we've heard that teams are saving up their money for 2010. The Knicks want to clear space for 2010. The Nets are rebuilding for 2010. The Cavaliers and HEAT want to maintain cap flexibility for 2010 so they can keep their superstars and potentially add another pricy piece. We get it, but what's so special about the free agent crop two years from now? We know about LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. They're the guys most teams are hoping to get lucky and land, but who else is part of this stellar class? Who could change teams, and who will stay put? Two years is a long time in the future, but if the papers are going to buzz about it now, why shouldn't we? A lot of dough is going to be slung around two summers from now; let's take a look at who's going to get it.
LeBron James (P) – People can talk about LBJ and the Knicks all they want, but that doesn't really have legs, especially if they are unable to move Zach Randolph before then. Mike D'Antoni certainly would love to have The King anchor his offense, but that seems unlikely. More possible is the New Jersey Nets, who have gone very young and probably will suffer the next few years for a shot at James when he hits free agency. Nets part-owner Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and LeBron are buddies, and that could help lure him farther East, but a lot of people believe James will re-up with the Cavaliers when his time comes. They'll be ready to offer him a boatload of money, and it's still his homestate. Kobe never left the Lakers, Michael never left the Bulls (in his prime, that is), and I don't expect LeBron to leave the Cavs. Dwayne Wade (P) – The HEAT know they have to clear tons of space for 2010 so they can not only keep Wade, but also maybe sign another of the guys listed below. Wade's a pretty loyal, nice guy, but he's also going to sick of playing for a team that can't win. Depending on what happens with Shawn Marion and how Michael Beasley develops, he could become disgruntled and look for greener pastures. But expect the HEAT to do all they can to keep him aboard, even if that means spending a ton of money brining in another star-level player. Chris Bosh (P) – Don't forget that Bosh, Wade, and James all signed short extensions so they'd have the option to move on a few years alter. With that said, Bosh moving probably all depends on how well the Jermaine O'Neal trade works out. If O'Neal comes in refreshed and the Raptors dominate the next two seasons on their way to deep playoff runs, why would Bosh want to leave? If the Raps flop, though, it may be time to move on. Amare Stoudemire (ETO) – Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash are unrestricted free agents that summer, meaning a lot of money comes off the books. Phoenix will throw a truckload of cash at Amare (as long as he's still healthy) and then look to add another piece around him. Replacing two MVP's won't be easy, and nothing is saying Nash won't still have some gas left in the tank, but Stoudemire is the team's cornerstone for the future. He's not going anywhere, especially since he's in control here with an early termination option. He may not wan to test free agency for another year.
There are a lot of other notables in the free agency class of 2010, each of whom will get plenty of attention from teams with money to spend. The "rest," if such an elite group of players can be so plainly labeled, include:
Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Josh Howard (T)
Dirk Nowitzki (ETO)
Tracy McGrady
Yao Ming (ETO)
Michael Redd (ETO)
Manu Ginobili
Richard Jefferson
Shaquille O'Neal
Steve Nash
If you're wondering there's already so much hype about a free agent flurry that's still two years away, all you need to do is take a look at the names who will be involved. A lot is going to be at stake, and teams with money will have a pretty unique opportunity to improve themselves drastically just by signing some hefty paychecks.
