Loyalty or Legacy?

"If you stay in Cleveland, you will find peace. You will find a wonderful woman, and you will have sons and daughters, who will have children. And they'll all love you and remember your name. But when your children are dead, and their children after them, your name will be forgotten..If you go elsewhere, glory will be yours. They will write stories about your victories for thousands of years! And the world will remember your name. But if you leave Ohio, you will never come back...for your glory walks hand-in-hand with your doom. And I shall never see you again. "

- Adapted version of Thetis' speech in the movie Troy, as if told to LeBron James.

Thursday starts the saga some have waited years to see unfold. Thursday is the day the true courting of LeBron James and the other members of what I will call "The Mercenary Six" (Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire, and Joe Johnson) begins. While the futures of the other five are headline-worthy in their own right, Free Agency 2010 starts and ends with where the man known as "King James" ends up. We've heard day after day that he's leaning here or leaning there. There's been months of roster-shuffling and money-shifting. There's all of these reports about LeBron's character, his personality, and all these quotes and inside sources from people claiming to know LeBron's intentions but are mostly only looking out for their own interests. Writers, bloggers, reporters, and fans alike are fighting to be the one who gets the first scoop on LeBron as if they were staking out right field waiting on Roger Maris' 61st home run.

LeBron's decision comes down to what kind of message he wants to send to fans both in Cleveland and outside of it with his newest career move. Will he choose to be loyal to his hometown, the town that has had his back since he was just a mere high school prodigy? We've heard for years about LeBron's infamous loyalty. Will that be on display in these next coming weeks? Or will LeBron finally decide that enough is enough and chase greener pastures and more worthwhile accomplishments outside of Ohio? It's the question that's been asked for two years and, while everybody and their mother has spent the opening days of this summer doing their best campaign pitch, we know that the true contenders for "The Akron Hammer" are a small, chosen few. So, here's a list of contenders, the message LeBron sends by signing with them, and what "The King" can expect if he decides to dot the I's and cross the T's.

THE FAB FOUR

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: He's loyal.

What He Can Expect: For a team that can ill-afford to lose the biggest star the city of Cleveland has seen since Jim Brown, the Cavs don't seem like a team that understands the severity of losing their franchise player. For one, unlike teams like New Jersey and Chicago(the other big contenders in the LeBron Sweepstakes), the Cavs don't have a coach OR a GM right now. Maybe those are spaces they feel like they can fill after LeBron's signed, sealed and delivered since no respectable coach or GM is going to come to Cleveland if the team has to rebuild post-LeBron. Still, that kind of uncertainty doesn't exactly help their chances of keeping LeBron. Right now, the dream scenario from a coach/GM standpoint is luring Phil Jackson away from L.A. and hiring recently-fired Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard. Phil Jackson is the best of the possible candidates and probably the only one that will convince LeBron that Cleveland is serious about winning titles. You aren't getting LeBron with Byron Scott or Brian Shaw or Jeff Van Gundy as your head coach...especially when Chicago hired the league's hottest coaching prospect in Tom Thibodeau. Pritchard, meanwhile, helped rebuild Portland from "The Jailblazers" to a legit contender in the much-tougher West. He's a significant upgrade over anyone Cleveland's had since 2003.

Plus, as sad as this might be, the Cavs may actually be WORSE than they were following their elimination at the hands of Boston. Shaq is gone. Big Z is probably gone. I don't see a team giving up anything legitimate for Mo Williams and/or Delonte West and the playoffs exposed Antawn Jamison as a bad fit as LeBron's #2. On top of that, Jamison plays the same position as Chris Bosh, who has pretty much said his first choice is to go where LeBron goes. I hate to break it to you, Cleveland, but your city isn't exactly a hot bed for potential free agents. You think Bosh is passing up South Beach or Times Square to play in a rust bucket town like Cleveland?(Side rant: I don't feel too bad for Cavs fans if and when LeBron leaves. Yes, this is a stomach punch the city doesn't need but let's face facts, most Cavs "fans" were merely LeBron fans. 90% of them will root for whoever LeBron plays for and the other 10% will either stop caring about basketball or kill themselves. I don't feel sorry for a fan base that's only interest in basketball was hitching its wagon to LeBron James.)

Likelihood of LeBron signing: 20-1

New York Knicks

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: He wants to be a global superstar.

What He Can Expect: It would risky for LeBron to go from the pressure of winning a title in a small market like Cleveland to the heightened expectations of the Big Apple. By signing in New York, LeBron will be attempting to become the Jay-Z of the NBA: a star who is not only interested in being the best at his craft, but becoming a worldwide entity. New York offers LeBron the chance to be a household name in places that probably have never seen a basketball. It's the biggest sports market in America. It also gives LeBron the worst chance of the top four contenders to win a title. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Knicks fans, but your team sucks. David Lee is your best player and he has one foot out of the door. Even if you turn Lee into Chris Bosh, it's a two-man show. The ghost of Isiah Thomas(as I mentioned in the draft review) haunts this team. The bad trades, horrible contracts, terrible draft picks(both made and traded away) has turned this team into a high-profile cellar dweller. LeBron only signs here if he decides to say "I'll give up being the game's greatest winner in exchange for being a Michael Jordan-like endorsement whore". That's the only reason he comes to MSG. Do you really see LeBron winning a title with a starting five of himself, Bosh, Eddy Curry, Toney Douglas and Danilo Gallinari? You think LeBron finds that enticing after spending the last 8 years carrying the Cavs on his back? Get real.

Chances of LeBron signing: 10-1

Chicago Bulls

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: He wants to rebuild the Bulls dynasty.

What He Can Expect: Critics keep using "MJ's shadow" as a reason LeBron will steer clear of the Windy City. If that's your best excuse, then you don't have an excuse. LeBron has been groomed to be "Like Mike" since he picked up a basketball. He wore the #23 his entire career for Christ's sake! If LeBron was put off by being in Jordan's shadow, he wouldn't have waited until now to change his number to 6. The fact is, with their recent maneuvering, the hiring of Tom Thibodeau, and the presence of point guard Derrick Rose and forwards Joakim Noah and Luol Deng(assuming they aren't dealt in exchange for Bosh in a sign and trade) make the Bulls the most enticing offer for King James. There are reports that LeBron's already leaning towards Chicago, and really, the only way he passes this up is if the Bulls suits does something to piss him off or he gets absolutely wowed somewhere else. Chicago, as much as it pains me to say it, makes the most sense for LeBron is he's as determined to be a champion as we are lead to believe. Thibodeau's focus on defense is right in LeBron's wheelhouse. The only real drawback to the Chicago scenario is that both LeBron and Rose are ball-dominant and, while Rose is the type of guard that makes his teammates better, it remains to be seen if a young star-in-the-making like Rose would be willing to take a backseat to a guy like LeBron. Regardless, many insiders seem to believe the Bulls are a James Johnson trade away(or a Deng trade away) from getting a guy like Bosh or Joe Johnson to come join LeBron(or some combination of "The Mercenary Six") to come to "The House That MJ Built" and, if or when that happens, Chicago becomes the team to beat over the next 5-6 years.

Likelihood of LeBron Signing: 3-1

New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets

The Message LeBron Sends By Signing: He's loyal.....to his buddy Jay-Z.

What He Can Expect: The Nets, in my opinion, are in a better position than the Knicks to get LeBron. They have an aggressive new owner in Mikhail Prokhorov. They have two decent All-Star quality young pieces in guard Devin Harris(if he isn't traded) and center Brook Lopez. They have another potential star in 3rd overall pick Derrick Favors and they have cap room to add LeBron plus one. Also, unlike the Knicks, the Nets haven't mortgaged the next couple year's worth of draft picks in foolish trades(Knicks gave Houston a first in 2012 and offered to swap in 2011, for the rights to free up some cap space). A Lopez-Favors-LeBron-Joe Johnson-Harris starting five may not be as good as what Chicago can offer but definitely bests what Cleveland and New York have. Plus, while he'll spend a year or two in the Garden State, eventually he'll be moving to Brooklyn and hitching his wagon to Jay-Z and becoming the type of Roc-A-Fella star Jay tried to make with Memphis Bleek and Amil. So he gets to play in a big market AND become a marketing piece with a proven brand. The catch is that he'll be playing for Avery Johnson, who is not nearly the big time coach that many make him out to be.

Likelihood of LeBron Signing: 12-1

THE LONGSHOTS

Miami Heat

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: He's OK with taking a backseat in exchange for a title.

What He Can Expect: Somehow, people have it in their head that, if Miami can move Michael Beasley, the Heat will have room for three of "The Mercenary Six". If that's true and the Heat can finagle a Bosh-Wade-LeBron trifecta, then Miami becomes the belle of the ball in the NBA and the next 5 or 6 titles go through South Beach. The problem for LeBron will be the detractors who will say he needed to piggyback D-Wade to put rings on his finger. Does LeBron really want his legacy to be the Pippen to Flash's MJ? LeBron was groomed to be the most dominant force the NBA has ever seen. By signing with Miami, he's basically admitting that he can't lead a team to the promised land and that years of hype as "The Chosen One" was nothing more than exactly that: hype. Still, winning inevitably erases all the negativity that surrounds a big star(Right, Kobe?) and if LeBron wins a few rings and helps build a dynasty in Miami, that's a hell of a lot better than trying to be his own man and failing miserably in Cleveland and New York. Still it comes down to a matter of pride and I just can't see LeBron, at 25, admitting that he can't spear-head a championship team.

Likelihood of LeBron Signing: 30-1

Los Angeles Clippers:

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: He's desperate.

What He Can Expect: A blown ACL or two......just kidding....sort of. I've never been one for curses or bad omens but clearly karma comes around every so often to roshambo the Clippers. We saw it with Blake Griffin last year. This team just can't win for losing. L.A. would be the kind of big market that would pique LeBron's interest, but he would a. be sharing an arena with Kobe Bryant(who has five rings and is in position for a couple more) and b. would be accepting huge money from a well-publicized racist in owner Donald Sterling. That's a public relations nightmare for LeBron(although, if bashing Rihanna's face in didn't keep Chris Brown from a performance at the BET Awards, then I can't see how linking up with the NBA's David Duke will kill LeBron's credibility). Still, a Kaman-Griffin-LeBron-Eric Gordon-Baron Davis starting five with 2010 rookie Al-Farouq Aminu and DeAndre Jordan off the bench is a respectable team, if they can get the right guys in the front office and on the sidelines and manage to avoid the black cloud that has surrounded this team for decades, then this becomes a solid location even with Kobe as a roommate. LeBron, however, doesn't seem like a guy who would take money from a scrupulous dirtbag like Sterling just for the sake of getting paid and, eventhough Sterling is certain he'll land LeBron, I'd say LeBron has as much of a chance of coming to L.A. as Biggie's casket.

Likelihood of LeBron Signing: 50-1

Dallas Mavericks

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: He wants to get PAID.

What He Can Expect: LeBron's arrival in Dallas would require a sign-and-trade, which means the Mavs will have to part with the likes of Erick Dampier, Caron Butler and highly-touted point guard Rodrigue Beaubois. That still leaves Dallas with Brendan Haywood, Dirk(who opted out, but will probably re-sign if LeBron comes. Although, if Dirk looks like he's testing the market, this immediately becomes a huge story in and of itself), Jason Terry and Jason Kidd's corpse. Now, Mark Cuban can sell the Mavs better than any owner or marketer can sell anything, but it would be a hard sell that a team led by Dirk and Kidd(one, a playoff choke artist, the other a choke artist of the domestic abuse variety.......oh, and an aging point guard without a jumper to speak of) can give LeBron the kind of supporting cast required to build a dynasty. Nowitzki, in his best season, couldn't get out of the first round and was at the forefront of a Mavs team that choked away the NBA championship to D-Wade's Heat. Kidd, meanwhile, has made a career of coming up short and, even in his prime, couldn't pry a championship from the Lakers and Spurs, respectively, while with the Nets. Plus, Kidd is an infamous coach killer. His presence almost guarantees front office uncertainty. You really want LeBron around that kind of environment? The plus side is there's no sales tax in Texas, making that extra $30 mil LeBron would make in a sign-and-trade that much sweeter, but if wealth is LeBron's ultimate goal, he can certainly make his share of coin in New York.

Likelihood of LeBron Signing(or agreeing to a sign-and-trade): 40-1

Boston Celtics

The Message LeBron Would Be Sending: If he can't beat 'em, he'll join 'em.

What He Can Expect: It's the scenario that doesn't get much talk but should. With Rasheed Wallace retiring, Ray Allen a free agent, and Paul Pierce eligible to opt out, the C's can, theoretically, wave bye-bye to those three and go hard after LeBron and pair him with the NBA's newest rising star, Rajon Rondo, and the rotting cadaver known as Kevin Garnett. No Pierce, 'Sheed, and Shuttlesworth sets "The Big Three" ablaze but Boston fans will let that go if it means getting a all-time great in his prime like LeBron. It makes sense for Boston, too. Allen is washed up. Pierce is getting there and Wallace is not playing another NBA game. You can trade in three over-30 year old marquee names for LeBron and midlevel free agent X. Plus, you can sell LeBron on being a part of the greatest NBA franchise in the history of the game, a legit team builder in GM Danny Ainge and a bonafide star in Rondo, who proved he can carry the team when the chips are down. KG might be finished but the presence of LeBron lightens the load for "The Big Ticket" and may add another year or two to those balding wheels. Also, KG's trademark midrange jumper will keep him out of the paint and allow LeBron to bulldoze his way to the basket(something James couldn't do with Shaq's large physique clogging the paint).

The key, of course, is Pierce opting out. With the new CBA bringing uncertainty, agents are trying to lock down big, long-term deals for their clients now instead of waiting til next year when money will be tighter. Pierce is represented by the same agent as Tyson Chandler and word on the street is Chandler is planning to opt out for that very reason: to get his money now, while he still can. If Dirk Nowitzki is willing to opt out of a good situation in Dallas, you can definitely tell that there is some unrest among the NBA's best players as to whether they can still get the kind of money they are accustomed to. If there's a dark horse in the LeBron sweepstakes, it's Boston: a team that managed to come within a few baskets of an improbable title run and has made an even more improbable transition from "The Big Three" to a young team led by Rondo. That transition, however, gets closer to reality by signing LeBron James.

Likelihood of LeBron Signing: 25-1

NBA Free Agency Primer

You may have heard this at least once between now and the last two years but this summer's crop of NBA free agents....well, it's pretty stacked. In an effort to apply some blanket coverage on the subject so we aren't boring everybody with a weekly "Where's LeBron going?" piece like so many of the major news sites are going to(I'm looking at you, ESPN!), I've decided to weigh in on where I think the big name SHOULD go(keyword: SHOULD...I don't want people saying "Well, I thought you said LeBron's going to New York!"). So here's my take on this summer's spending spree and I (just me, personally, I can't speak for Gabe) can assure you that, with both of us covering NBA teams for ProSportsBlogging this summer(Gabe on the Spurs, myself on the Wizards, that this will be the last time you hear about this before free agency kicks off July 1st.

1. LeBron James(Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers, as if you didn't know)

Breakdown: I shouldn't have to give you King James' resume, so I won't. The last few weeks, LeBron's been picked apart more than Heidi Montag on the surgeon's table. He went from winning his second MVP and being a sure-shot to taking home his first ring to, all of a sudden, a Karl Malone clone who will never win the big one because he lacks "killer instinct" after getting eliminated by the Celtics. Then came the report that James' mother may or may not have had "the relations" with LeBron's teammate Delonte West. With the early exit, everyone has now had extra time to give their take on LeBron's offseason plans.

Where he SHOULD go: A friend of mine asked me "If your mother slept with your co-worker, would you leave for another company or stay and have him fired?". I chose to leave. If LeBron stays and gets Delonte exiled, everyone will know it was because of this alleged incident with LeBron's mother and, not only will it add more fuel to the fire, it will give legitimacy to the story.

That's why LeBron should reunite with his good friend Jay-Z and go to the New Jersey Nets. The Nets give LeBron the opportunity to play in New York(albeit a couple years from now). Yes, I know, so do the Knicks, but here's what the Knicks don't have: a top three pick in a decent draft, a good supporting cast, aggressive ownership and the chance for LeBron to pick his own coach. If LeBron goes to the Knicks, he'll have 30 times the pressure to win a title than he did in Cleveland. Knicks fans care about championships. They are also, and I know this is going to get me in trouble, the most fickle fans in the NBA. The longer it takes LeBron to deliver a ring, the more likely fans will turn on him. It happened with Patrick Ewing. It happened with the Yankees and A-Rod. New Yorkers are impatient(Yes, I know, so are New Jerseyians...but that's only during midday traffic).

In New Jersey, he gets a new owner dying to prove himself. He gets Devin Harris and Brook Lopez PLUS whomever the Nets take at #3(be it Wesley Johnson of Syracuse or Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech). The Knicks gave away their lottery pick to Utah and, right now, they only have David Lee as a known commodity. Plus, the Nets have the money to bring in a second big name. Does Lopez-Favors-James-Joe Johnson(or Ray Allen)-Harris sound better to you than Eddy Curry-Lee-James-Joe Johnson(or Ray Allen)-Chris Duhon to you? I thought so. As for the other destinations? Look, if LeBron goes to Miami and wins a ring with D-Wade, the knock will be that he needed Wade to carry him. In New Jersey(or New York), LeBron gets to be his own man. Cleveland had a chance to give that to LeBron and they blew it for seven years. The Clippers? They have a young nucleus, but nothing proven beyond always-fat, always-hurt point guard Baron Davis. Plus, he'd be sharing his home court with Kobe and will be playing for a notoriously cheap owner. So LeBron, start looking for houses in the Garden State and take my advice and stay the hell out of South Orange.

2. Chris Bosh(Current team: Toronto Raptors)

Breakdown: When Bosh was taken 4th overall back in 2003 after just one year at Georgia Tech, "experts" loved his potential but thought he would need a year or two to grow. Turns out they were wrong. Bosh has been an instant double-double machine, has been remarkably healthy and has shown off a KG-like mid-range stroke with his quick left hand. Recently, Bosh gave his list of five teams he'd like to join this summer(Lakers, Raptors, Heat, Knicks and Bulls. Although, the Nets were added later on). As soon as Bosh named L.A., Lakers fans started getting into a tizzy about "Avatar"(meaning Bosh, not the movie) coming to L.A.

Where he SHOULD go: The only way Bosh is going to L.A. is through a sign-and-trade and we've already read this story before. There was talk early in the season of a Andrew Bynum-for-Bosh trade but that eventually simmered and it was believed that it was a rumor floated by Lakers coach Phil Jackson to motivate Bynum. While the Lakers gives Bosh the best chance at a title, it also gives him the worst chance at playing time and touches. In L.A., Bosh would be a third or fourth option behind Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest. Plus, there's the presence of Lamar Odom. Bringing in Bosh would not only be a disservice to Odom and Gasol(as it would be a more expensive, bigger name that requires a decent amount of shots) but it would minimize Bosh's star power. Bosh isn't the type of big man who can carry a team by himself(as seen with his stint in Toronto). He's similar to where Gasol was prior to the Lakers trade out of Memphis: A star-quality big man, who is better served as a number two on a contender.

That's why Bosh should head to Miami and link up with Dwayne Wade. The Heat haven't had a legit big man since Shaq and 'Zo left. If the Raptors can talk the Heat into a sign-and-trade, perhaps a deal for troubled scorer Michael Beasley and guard Mario Chalmers would suffice(and if not, you still have Bosh/Wade/Beasley/Chalmers plus one more)? That would free some space for Miami to re-sign Wade, bring in Bosh and then sign a lower level role player like Mike Miller or Raymond Felton. The Heat are a top five team in the East with just Wade and his bumbling gang of four behind him. Bosh gives them another weapon. I know Bosh wants to wait on LeBron and sign wherever he goes, but what if LeBron somehow goes back to Cleveland? Unlike LeBron, Wade has a ring and has proven he can get to the Promised Land by putting a team on his back. However, like LeBron, Wade can't do it all by himself forever. He needs a sidekick and that's a role Bosh is built for.

3. Dwayne Wade(Current team: Miami Heat)

Breakdown: All "Flash" has done since entering the league in 2003 is win a championship, single-handedly keep Miami basketball alive, and become perhaps the best basketball player in the Eastern Conference. What Wade has managed to do with the Heat is nothing short of breathtaking. He made them a playoff team in his rookie season, then made them a title winner with Shaq a year later. Except, you don't hear much about Wade because all the talk has been about LeBron since the two entered the league. Whether Wade is better than LeBron is another debate for another day, the fact is, he's one of the game's 3 or 4 best players in the league and he's on the market.

Where he SHOULD go: Unless there is someway to orchestrate the Wade-LeBron-Bosh triumvate in New York like some had whispered about, Wade should stay in Miami. Yes, the Heat haven't been as aggressive in building a team around Wade as the Cavs were with LeBron or the Lakers were with Kobe, but at least Wade has the memory of winning a title in Miami to fall back on. Wade knows he's good enough to make the team a dangerous playoff team on his own, but the Celtics series proved that Wade needs some help. Could he find it elsewhere if he can get Bosh or LeBron or Boozer to tag along? Sure, but Wade has too much pride to ride someone else's coattails. He needs to be the alpha dog. In a class this deep, he can find one, whether it be Boozer or Bosh or Amare Stoudemire. He gets to work under one of the game's great minds in team president Pat Riley. Riley knows what is needed to win. You don't have that luxury in some of these other places.

Wade needs to stay and be the face of the franchise but only under the condition that his re-signing is paired with the signing of another big name. If he's willing to take less money to make the Bosh-Wade-LeBron trio work in Miami(far-fetched, but still), then fine. If he's willing to accept a big man like Boozer or Avatar to patrol the paint? Great, but Wade should only come back AFTER he puts pressure on the organization to make some whole sale changes. If he signs early, and the Heat make no other moves, then Flash is stuck without the luxury of having an opt-out clause like he did this season. Wade's managed to be a billboard star without the flashy lights of the Big Apple. He doesn't need the Knicks to make him a phenomenon. He just needs to win and he can do that by finishing what he started in South Beach.

4. Amare Stoudemire: (Current team: Phoenix Suns)

Breakdown: Like Bosh, many thought Amare needed some seasoning going from high school to the pros before he developed into a genuine beast. Like Bosh, they were wrong. Stoudemire has been a monster inside since Day 1. He's also been very unlucky. The Suns couldn't win the big one despite years of having supporting casts that would make LeBron salivate. Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw....the Suns have had the components to win titles. They just couldn't get over the hump. Over the last couple years, Amare's wore out his welcome and that has resulted in his name being involved in trade talks the last two seasons. The final straw may be his recent no-shows in the Western Conference Finals, where the Suns have been dominated inside by the Lakers. Those lackluster performances have led to reports that Amare's not coming back to the desert this summer....

Where he SHOULD go:......nor should he. While micro-fracture surgery has robbed Amare of being the athletic freak he once was, he's still capable of being a terror on both ends of the court. In Phoenix, he plays in a high-octane offense that is more geared toward scoring than defense(even with Alvin Gentry being more defense-oriented than predecessor Mike D'Antoni). Also, Phoenix has done favors to Amare's ego by letting trade rumors circulate for two seasons without anything being done on that end. The Suns were expected to be rebuilding at the beginning of the season, but shocked the world by being title contenders. That run can't go for much longer. Steve Nash is reaching the twilight of his career and his aching back can only handle so much punishment. Beyond that, even the role players are getting old. Grant Hill is pushing 60. Leandro Barbosa's getting up there. Amare needs to go to a young team where he can be the veteran and be able to show his skills on both offense AND defense.

My pick? The Washington Wizards. Look, teams aren't going to seriously consider Amare until after Carlos Boozer and Chris Bosh are signed. Amare's a Lexus. Boozer's a Mercedes and Bosh is a Ferrari. You're not going to consider buying the Lexus if the Benz and the Ferrari are still on the lot and will only cost a few bucks more than the Lex. When the Wizards won the lottery and the chance at John Wall, they made themselves a bit more attractive to free agents. D.C. is a solid market. Wall is the type of point guard that can make Amare look good. Flip Saunders is a proven coach(three straight Eastern Conference Finals with Detroit prior to coming to Washington). I know Amare's a Florida boy and going back home to the Heat would be a nice homecoming, but is he higher on Miami's priorities than Bosh or Boozer? I don't think so. A Wall-Stoudemire combo could make the Wizards at least a playoff team and make Amare a bigger star and, as the team grows, they become players in the East(After all, if Cleveland loses LeBron, that's one less team at the top of the conference).

5. Carlos Boozer: (Current team: Utah Jazz)

Breakdown: Like Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer has been the subject of trade talk for the last couple of years. The breakout and subsequent big re-signing of fellow forward Paul Millsap made Boozer expendable, but nobody was going to trade for a guy who may jet at the end of the season if things go awry. Now, Boozer's a free agent and he can bring his services as an inside rebounding bully to a contender and the Jazz can launch the Millsap Era in Utah. For all of Boozer's dominance inside, the knock on him is his lack of durability. That might hurt him in the market(especially with Chris Bosh also a free agent), but teams would be crazy to completely write off Boozer because he's a little frail.

Where he SHOULD go: For Cavs fans, Carlos Boozer is "the one that got away". Since Boozer left Cleveland after his rookie contract was up, the Cavs have been relentless in finding a suitable replacement....and they've failed miserably. Antawn Jamison is nice, but he's nowhere near the inside presence that Boozer is. You have to wonder if LeBron is thinking that same thing. Carlos Boozer could have been the sidekick LeBron needed to be a title contender and the front office let him walk.

So why not a reunion? If LeBron signs with New Jersey, as I suggested he should, he should talk the suits into bringing his old buddy Boozer with him. That would allow the Nets to shift their focus to Wesley Johnson in the draft(or trading the pick, if need be) and gives the Nets a ridiculous inside combo with Boozer and Brook Lopez. Like the Knicks, the Nets spent much of the last few years cutting payroll so they can make moves this summer. Right now, they may be lined up for two big signings. Yi Jianlin is a nice outside shooting threat at power forward, but he's not starter-calibur. You bring in Boozer, who's the type of physical banger the Nets haven't had since Derrick Coleman and it frees up Lopez and it gives guys like Devin Harris(or LeBron, if he signs) alot of options. Again, with the Cavs potentially losing LeBron, that's one less team at the top. Could a Lopez-Boozer-LeBron-Wesley Johnson-Harris combo at least be a 6 or 7 seed in the East? Sure, especially with the right coach. Boozer will flirt with Miami and maybe even the Knicks(though I don't think he's a good fit in that offense) but with returning to Utah no longer an option, it should be Boozer(not Bosh) who waits to join LeBron wherever he goes.

6. Joe Johnson(Current team: Atlanta Hawks)

Breakdown: He was left for dead after the Celtics gave up on him being a star and sent to Phoenix. After breaking out with the Suns, he found greener pastures in Atlanta and made the Hawks a contender before too long. After a Eastern semis sweep by Orlando, Joe Johnson may have played his last game for the Hawks. Johnson is a big guard who can run the point, or even play the 3(and maybe some 4 in the right situation). He's like a veteran version of top prospect Evan Turner(though without Turner's upside).

Where he SHOULD go: The Hawks are already paying Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford and will eventually have to pay Josh Smith and Al Horford. With attendance in the ATL always suspect, you don't know if they can afford to give JJ the money he wants(or keep him for long, if they do pay him). Plus, with Mike Woodson out and new owners coming, there's a new regime coming to town. Johnson doesn't need to be a part of that.

Signing with the Knicks reunites Johnson with his own Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni. Mike D. knows what Johnson can do and Johnson knows he can excel in that offense. I know Joe Johnson isn't the name Knicks fans were hoping for with the recent salary purge, but you have to be realisitic and realize this Knicks team doesn't have the players to entice a guy like a LeBron James. Bringing in Joe Johnson is a nice start and if you can also bring back a former popular Knicks center by the name of Marcus Camby, then I'd be happy.(The other option, Knicks fans, might be trading for Gilbert Arenas.......) Johnson could be a point forward type or be the scorer. He could also try to team with LeBron somewhere but my bet is LeBron's going to take his time before deciding to leave home or not. Johnson can be a star in New York, and unlike in Atlanta, he won't have to worry about playing in half-filled buildings(although if free agency doesn't go as planned, you wonder if Knick fans will boycott going to the Garden).

So those are this year's Big Six. There are a couple of other notables available this summer. Here's some quick hit thoughts on them:

* I think this summer we wave goodbye to Shaq, AI, and T-Mac. Shaq mentioned returning to L.A. and that very well could happen, but I think Shaq proved this year that his heart's not really in it. If Shaq couldn't get in shape to try and win a ring for LeBron, what makes anyone think he'll be fit to team back up with the man that he couldn't co-exist with in his prime: Kobe Bryant? Iverson could play a couple more years in Philly but, with Evan Turner coming, minutes are going to be hard to come by and you wonder if the Sixers will even want to bring back "The Answer" because of that. As for McGrady, it's time he listens to his body and hangs 'em up. He could probably con the Clippers into overpaying him so he can play 30-40 games a season for them. McGrady isn't washed up. He still can be an elite scorer. It's just his knees have went to mush and, with his style of play, they aren't going to get any better.

*I suggested Marcus Camby go back to the Knicks and I think either New York or a return to Denver makes the most sense. The run in Portland was nice but, with Oden and Przybilla coming back, there's no room for "The Camby Man". Like T-Mac, Camby is always an injury risk and you wonder how much is left in the tank, but guys like Camby will always have a spot in this league because every team can use a shot-blocker/rebounder who isn't a team cancer(just look at Theo Ratliff). Camby isn't going to be a sexy signing for anyone but he may be the move that wins a playoff game or two for a contender and the Nuggets can sure use some more defense after getting humiliated by Utah in the playoffs. Another sleeper choice for Camby? The Oklahoma City Thunder, who need a big man and should have made the trade for Camby this winter anyway.

*The other "big" name is Celtics guard Ray Allen. Allen was almost foolishly shipped to Boston with Celtics savior Rajon Rondo last year and Allen was on the block for most of the first few months. In typical Allen fashion, Ray has heated up during the playoffs as the smell of new money has flared through his nostrils. The man once known as "Jesus Shuttlesworth" has gotten up in years and the C's may be better suited to look elsewhere for a big-time shooter(as they saw with the 'Sheed signing, some people just lose interest when they get old and overpaid). With the team getting older, they can't afford to hog up more cap space with aging talent. If they decide to move on with their starting shooting guard, Allen could look to a team like New Jersey(who desperately need a shooter), Washington(if they can get rid of Arenas), or Phoenix(who can use someone to take the load off Nash).