The NBA As We Know It Is About To Turn Upside Down, Or Is It?

When the clock strikes midnight on Thursday, all hell is going to break lose in the NBA with the most anticipated free agents up for grabs. 

Team owners and general managers will be meeting with players on their knees and checkbooks open.  After everything I have read in the past weeks it is still pretty unclear where these guys are going to end up, but I figure – what the hell? 

If the “experts” at ESPN can play these guessing games, why not JOCKpost?  Here are some of the most notable free agents and where it would make sense for them to go. 

#1)  Lebron James

Out of all the free agents, Lebron is the biggest mystery.  I’m not sure if he has become a huge douche and likes all the media attention surrounding where he is going to go, or he really has no idea where he wants to go. 

The fact that he is having franchise executives come meet him and sell the idea of why he should play for their team, leads me to believe he has no clue what he wants to do.  

With the firing of Mike Brown and Danny Ferry, the Cavs are a complete mess right now.  Does Lebron really want to return to a team that has to start over with a new coach, GM, and new supporting cast? 

Cleveland is going to have to make some major guarantees if James is going to consider returning.  Mainly, pick up another top tier free agent. 

The Cavs did not want Amare this last season, so it is safe to say you can rule him out.  The only player I can see being compatable with Lebron of the free agents is Chris Bosh. 

The rumors out early this week of James and Bosh hooking up in Chicago were quickly squashed by Bosh’s agent.  They have to consider that option when you have a possible starting lineup of: Noah, Bosh, James, insert random role player here, and Rose. 

I know Bulls fans will blast me for this, but that is a better starting five than Jordan ever had.  Having said all that, I see Lebron sticking to his roots and staying in Cleveland, with the Cavs finding a way to bring in Chris Bosh to start all over again.

#2)  Dwayne Wade

Miami loves them some D-Wade and there is no way he is going to leave.  Everything that I have read so far points to Wade trying to sway players to come to him, rather than he go to them. 

The Heat have a major bargaining chip with their location and young supporting cast.   All the organization has to do is bring in Bosh or Stoudamire. 

Amare has made it pretty clear he wants out of Phoenix the past couple seasons, and the fact that he owns property in Miami could be a sign that the Heat are his first choice.   Whether it is Bosh or Stoudamire that sign in Miami, look for the Heat to be a contender again next season. 

#3) Chris Bosh

I think I have made it pretty clear of Bosh’s options from the above two free agents.  To keep it short and sweet; if he does not team up with Lebron in Cleveland or Chicago, look for him to join Wade in Miami.  

#4) Dirk Nowitzki

If you think Mark Cuban is going to let Dirk leave Dallas you, my friend, are insane.  Nowitzki is the face of that franchise and has been for 12 years now. 

Dirk can have whatever he wants in Dallas thanks to Cuban and he would be insane to leave that situation.  Of the teams that can afford a max contract I really don’t see a better situation than Dallas. 

Granted, they are getting old but the addition of Caron Butler last season was a glimpse of how good this team can be. 

Shaq has already spoke out that he wants to play in Dallas, not that Dirk gives two s**ts about Shaq, but with the Mavs most likely be losing Brendan Haywood to free agency, and they will need a strong presence in the middle. 

Look for Dallas to reload with some good role players to surround Dirk, and they will challenge Kobe and the Lakers next season for the Western Conference Championship. 

#5) Amare Stoudamire

I really believe Stoudamire will end up in Miami. 

Amare has never really struck me as the greatest team player so I could also see him going to a big market team where he will be the man.  In this case his number one option would be New York. 

Not only, would he be their savior if no other big names are signed, but he would be able to rejoin Mike D’Antoni.  The Knicks have been planning for this off-season for a while, so if they do not get two big names this year, they will plan for the 2011 class that includes Carmelo Anthony.  Could we see a homecoming for Mello in the future?

#6) Joe Johnson

Johnson is pretty much going to have to sit around and wait for everyone else to make their moves.  I think he would be a great pick-up for Chicago if they do not land James, Bosh, or Wade. 

The Bulls could also sign a David Lee or Carlos Boozer to join Johnson.  While that is no Lebron/Bosh combo it is definitely enough to make the Bulls a contender. 

The new owner in New Jersey has made it pretty clear he is ready to win now.  So look for the Nets to make a big push for the Johnson/Lee, Johnson/Boozer combo if they can’t land Lebron (which they won’t). 

#7) David Lee/Carlos Boozer

I am putting these two together because they are pretty much the same player.  Boozer has stated he will give Utah the first shot at him, but if that doesn’t tickle his fancy he will look elsewhere.  Lee pretty much just wants out of New York. 

He is way too valuable of a player to be wasting his talent there.  I think one of these two will be paired with Johnson in Jersey or Chicago, while the other settles for signing with a mediocre team. 

#8) Darko Milicic

Working at the Citgo.

Seriously, check out the list of free agents.  It’s like a fantasy draft orgasmablastula of stupendous proportions.

2010 unrestricted free agents (by team)

Atlanta Hawks: Jason Collins, Joe Johnson, Randolph Morris, Joe Smith

Boston Celtics: Ray Allen, Tony Allen, Marquis Daniels, Michael Finley, Nate Robinson, Brian Scalabrine, Shelden Williams

Charlotte Bobcats: Raymond Felton, Stephen Graham, Larry Hughes, Theo Ratliff

Chicago Bulls: Joe Alexander, Devin Brown, Acie Law, Brad Miller, Ronald Murray, Jannero Pargo, Hakim Warrick

Cleveland Cavs: Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Lebron James, Shaquille O’Neal

Dallas Mavericks: Brendan Haywood, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Thomas

Denver Nuggets: Milik Allen, Anthony Carter, Joey Graham, Johan Petro

Detroit Pistons: Kwame Brown, Ben Wallace

Golden State Warriors: Devean George

Indiana Pacers: Luther Head, Earl Watson

L.A. Clippers: Steve Blake, Rasual Butler, Drew Gooden, Steve Novak, Travis Outlaw, Brian Skinner, Craig Smith

L.A. Lakers: Shannon Brown, Derek Fisher, D.J. Mbenga, Josh Powell

Memphis Grizzlies: Steven Hunter, Jamaal Tinsley, Marcus Williams

Miami Heat: Rafer Alston, Carlos Arroyo, Yakhouba Diawara, Udonis Haslem, Jamaal Magloire, Jermaine O’Neal, Savlik Randolph, Quentin Richardson, Dwayne Wade, Dorel Wright

Milwaukee Bucks: Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey, Luke Ridnour, Jerry Stackhouse, Kurt Thomas

Minnesota Timberwolves: Brian Cardinal, Darko Milicic, Sasha Pavlovic, Damien Wilkins

New Jersey Nets: Tony Battie, Trenton Hassell, Jarvis Hayes, Kris Humphries, Chris Quinn, Bobby Simmons

New Orleans Hornets: Ike Diogu, Sean Marks

New York Knicks: Jonathan Bender, Earl Barron, Chris Duhon, J.R. Giddens, Al Harrington, Eddie House, David Lee, Tracy McGrady

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Ollie, Etan Thomas

Orlando Magic: Matt Barnes, Adonal Foyle, Anthony Johnson, Jason Williams

Philadelphia 76ers: Rodney Carney, Francisco Elson, Allen Iverson

Phoenix Suns: Louis Amundson, Jarron Collins, Channing Frye

Portland Trailblazers: Travis Diener, Juwan Howard

Sacramento Kings: Sean May, Ime Udoka

San Antonio Spurs: Keith Bogans, Matt Bonner, Ian Mahinmi, Roger Mason

Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh, Amir Johnson, Rasho Nesterovic, Patrick O’Bryant, Antoine Wright

Utah Jazz: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver

Washington Wizards: Earl Boykins, Javaris Crittendon, Josh Howard, Shaun Livingston, Mike Miller, Facricio Oberton, James Singleton