I’m sure that you, like every other NBA fan, will have their eyes and ears focused on the Lebron James’ free agent announcement special, aptly named “The Decision” airing on ESPN Thursday night. Fans in potential destinations like Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Miami, and hometown Cleveland will hear “King James” final choice on where he will be playing for the foreseeable future. Will he decide to join his USA Basketball buddies Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer in Chicago, Amare in New York, or make all of this posturing anti-climactic by returning to Cleveland?
With former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh now in the fold with the Miami Heat, alongside D. Wade, could James decide to make it a trifecta and create one of the most potent starting line-ups in NBA history? While it’s still possible, it is highly unlikely. With rumors that Bosh is demanding a full max offer to play with the Heat, both Wade and Lebron would have to take marketably less than full max contracts to make this superpowered line-up a reality. If they somehow convince James to join them, team president Pat Riley will have to work his magic to form out the rest of the roster. With only $16 million left to sign another 7 players, the rest of the Heat would be made up of league minimum players in addition to Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers. While having 3 possible All-NBA 1st Teamers in the same line-up instantly vaults the Heat into the Eastern Conference crown category, do they really have a chance to win a World Title?
Financially, the New York Knicks are Lebron’s best option. With the team already making a statement by signing noted Lebron compadre Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks may be emerging as the front-runner for his services. We all know of the marketablity of a New York superstar. Case in point being Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Eli Manning. The Knicks are also reportedly scouring the league for a top notch point guard to play alongside James and have already tried to acquire Golden State’s Monta Ellis, New Orleans Chris Paul, and San Antonio’s Tony Parker. James has already commented on the amazing possibilities of playing alongside Paul, the universally regarded best point guard in basketball. Something tells me James would revel in the idea of being the new “King of New York.”
Could he decide to step into the enormous shoes of former Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan in the “Windy City?” The Bulls have to be enticing since they give him the best chance of winning now and getting a chance to play alongside a Top 5 point guard like Derrick Rose for the first time in his career may be too good to pass up. Does the recent signing of Carlos Boozer as the starting power forward help to bring Lebron to Chicago? It certainly doesn’t hurt since the #1 priority for James has to be winning titles from here on out. The Bulls already have a few more already in place assets over most other destinations like proven players like Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and standout rookie from last season, Taj Gibson. Ultimately James must chose on whether to be forever compared to the immortal Michael Jordan if he decides to play in Chicago.
Although his close personal friendship with rapper and part NJ Nets owner Jay-Z is well noted, this is business, and while trying to be nice, the Nets have totally struck out in free agency so far this Summer. They have not added any pieces to an existing team that won the least amount of games in the entire league last season. Although they already have an All-Star caliber point guard in Devin Harris and star in the making in 7 foot center Brook Lopez to go along with newly drafted big man Derrick Favors, the Nets have to be near the bottom of Lebron’s wish list this Summer. Surely having a multi-billionaire owner and proven to be able to win coach in Avery Johnson has to help, but the Nets just haven’t done enough to lure Lebron to play in the swamps of New Jersey.
The darkhorse in this whole scenario is Lebron’s original team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the fans all across Ohio holding pep rallies and parades in James’ honor, the hometown family, friends, and fans have to be tugging hard on his heartstrings to keep “King James” at home in Ohio. From a team standpoint, the Cavaliers are very, very good, but can they win a title as currently constructed? After winning the most games of any team in the league the past 2 seasons, James may have taken this squad as far as they can go without bringing in another All-Star caliber player. Surely the Cavs are hinging on if James returns on whether or not to blow up the roster and rebuild with new coach Byron Scott.
While no one knows what is really going on in Lebron James’ head, all we can do is speculate on his future. With that being said, here are my predictions as to Lebron’s final destination:
New York Knicks – 30%
Cleveland Cavaliers – 25%
Miami Heat – 20%
Chicago Bulls – 20%
New Jersey Nets – 5%
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
