NBA Rumors: Should the Top 12 Free Agents Stay or Go?

Now, the real fun begins!

The NBA Finals gave us a classic match-up between two storied franchises. The series was an instant classic, even if you can see better basketball played at the local Y on any given weekend than what you saw on display during Game Seven.

We got to witness Artest's redemption, Bryant's ascension and the Celtics' frustration. 28.2 million people, the total number that watched the deciding Game Seven, can't be wrong. This was an amazing series.

Now that it's out of the way however, the real fun begins.

Never in the history of the game has it's championship almost been an after-thought.

If this Finals match-up wasn't Lakers v. Celtics, the lead story in several cities would have had nothing to do with the game.

No, the lead story would have been the most talented crop of free agents available, ever.

Even the instant classic that was purple and gold against green wasn't enough to completely mute the free agents murmurs.

Sure, the series was front page news, but the second page often led with, "Wade is hosting a summit," or "Geffen wants to buy the Clippers to bring James to L.A."

The 2010 free agent smorgasbord is plentiful with enough to go around for everyone. Assuming of course that you can afford it.

With the feeding frenzy set to begin soon, lets take a look at the top 10 free agents and where they should play next year.

If you happen to be one of the top 10 players listed then this should make things so much easier for you.

No need to thank me, just being a good fan!

12 - Luis Scola

16.2 pts 8.2 reb
Restricted free agent

Argentina was long known for its beef and its soccer before it's basketball. The emergence of quality players from the second-largest South American country, however, has made basketball an Argentinian passion.

Scola is a stereotypical hard-nosed Argentine player. His 16/8 came at starters minutes so he would have to find a home where he will get the touches he needs.

What makes Scola so special is that he gets those touches on his own; no need to run plays for him, he will find the ball on his own!

In some ways, he is Dennis Rodman-ish without the drama or wedding dress.

Scola should force the Rockets' hand by signing an offer sheet with someone, anyone. The Rockets will do well to match it.

Scola stays.

11 - Rudy Gay

19.6 pts 5.9 reb
Restricted free agent

He is young, he averaged close to 20 points in the Association last year, and he played for an exciting and surprising team last season. In any other free agent class, Gay might have been the headliner.

In 2010 he comes in at No. 11.

Gay strikes me as a bit of a tweener. Not in regards to his play, he is a classic 3, but more in regards to his demeanor.

He sorta feels like a young veteran to me.

His numbers are great and have been consistent throughout his three years in the Association, but is he a go-to guy? No. He is a tweener. Not worth a max contract or anything close to it, but a great piece to the right puzzle.

The key will be finding that right puzzle.

The Clippers are in need of a small forward, but have their eyes on a bigger prize. As good as the Grizzles were last year, finishing 40-42, it makes sense for Gay to dip into the free agent market and try his luck elsewhere.

If he picks wrong, he will be young enough at contract's end to recover. Someone will sign him to an offer-sheet and depending on the amount, the Grizz may not match.

Gay goes.

10 - David Lee

20.2 pts 11.7 reb
Unrestricted free agent

This guy is a solid basketball player.

Can you name another player who gets more out of his frame than this guy? The list of players that had great NBA bodies but played basketball like Carl Lewis sings the national anthem are plentiful. Benoit Benjamin, Michael Oliwakandi, Yinka Dare, and on and on.

David Lee is exceptional in that if you looked at him and were told he was putting up 6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds for his team you wouldn't bat an eye.

You might even be impressed that the NBA-short center, who comes in at 6"9", was actually able to wrestle away that many rebounds from the league's centers.

David Lee, in 2010, averaged 20.2 points and 11.7 rebounds.

His Knicks are in a state of flux, however, and aren't quite sure how to deal with their center. Unless the dust settles soon in the Big Apple, I see Lee leaving town.

What did this season's NBA final four teams all have in common? Studs and/or hard-nosed players at the five.

No one has a harder nose than Lee.

Leaving basketball mecca would be difficult, but imagine Lee with the young guns in OKC. How sad a state must the Knicks be in when their best player would actually be better off in Oklahoma?

Lee goes.

9 - Yao Ming

Did not play in 2009-2010
Player option

There is no denying the impact this giant has had in the NBA. He has opened up the game to millions in his native China and has proven to be a reliable and solid player.

That is, when he plays.

Ming missed all of the 2009-2010 season with a bum foot. The only reason Ming is rated so low is because there is no telling if he can be the player who averaged 19/9 in his first seven NBA seasons. Nearing 30, which for most is basketball death, is also a concern.

A player option for $17.7 million is a steep price tag for the center, but Ming exercises it much to the delight of the Rockets. Ming has grown to be the face of the franchise and a marketing dream.

Ming stays.

8 - Paul Pierce

18.3 pts 4.4 reb
Player option

The sweet jumper, the smart defense, the NBA championship, heck, even the wheelchair, all exemplify Paul Pierce. The kid from Los Angeles has grown to be Celtic royalty.

The sting of the Game Seven loss to his childhood favorite team no doubt still stings, but Pierce now has to decide if he will exercise his $21.5 million dollar option or not. That's right, $21.5 million.

At 32, Pierce is on the downside of his career, so the chance of someone offering more than the Celtics are on the hook for in 2010-2011 is unlikely. Of course, Pierce could decline the option making him an unrestricted free agent.

That's not going to happen.

Look for Pierce, and the bulk of the Celtics team that came within one quarter of an NBA title in 2010, to return.

Pierce stays.

7 - Carlos Boozer

19.5 pts 11.2 reb
Unrestricted free agent

Sometimes numbers don't tell the whole story. There have been some players in the Association who put up good numbers, but weren't good players.

Boozer is a unique talent that puts up good numbers, is a heady NBA player and by all accounts, a good teammate.

Utah is home to amazing scenery, great skiing and the home of the best duo in the history of the NBA in Stockton and Malone.

Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer came close to mirroring the effectiveness of Stockton/Malone but don't look for a Williams to Boozer car dealership in Salt Lake City, like you can find for Stockton/Malone, anytime soon.

Boozer bolts.

6 - Amar'e Stoudemire

23.1 pts 8.9 reb
Player option

He is listed as a power forward, but he plays center for the Suns. He has a decent mid-range jumper and a classic post up game. Stoudemire is an above average player, no doubt, but is he a maximum contract player?

No.

That won't stop someone from offering Stoudemire, who performed well against the Lakers in this season's playoffs, top money. He won't get that from the Suns.

Stoudemire has said he loves Phoenix. He can always visit.

Stoudemire goes.

5 - Joe Johnson

21.3 pts 4.6 reb
Unrestricted free agent

Johnson is a scorer. He has led his team on a steady rise from the cellar inching towards the penthouse. He is inching closer to 30 but has the look of a player who won't face a meteoric decline after the big three-oh like some have.

He reportedly turned down a four-year, $60 million dollar, contract extension from the Hawks last summer. Was that the right move? Johnson is about to find out.

Johnson, like some in this free agent class, has a choice to make between money and a chance to win. In an ideal world, a player could pick a team that offers both. Few get that choice, but Johnson does.

The Hawks will do all they can to keep their starting shooting guard and they show no signs of ending their streak of four straight seasons of improvement over the year before. That is, of course, if they can retain their core.

Consider this core retained.

Johnson stays.

4 - Dirk Nowitzki

This one is the easiest call of the bunch.

Great team, great owner, great city and a chance to finish your career with the team that drafted you. That's the biggest no-brainer in the history of no brainers.

Nowitzki stays.

3 - Chris Bosh

24 pts 10.8 reb
Player option

Another easy one. As certain as Nowitzki is sure to stay with his team, Bosh is sure to depart his.

The key for Bosh will be finding the right team. Or, will the Raptors take that choice from him, in a sense, by orchestrating a sign and trade?

My guess is the Raptors work hard to get something for their All-Star player before the July 1st free agent bonanza begins.

Whether the Raptors ship him somewhere or Bosh decides for himself after declining his player option, there is no doubt Bosh will be paid in American dollars during the 2010-2011 season.

Bosh goes.

2 - Dwyane Wade

26.6 pts 4.6 reb 6.5 ast
Player option

Well, this is almost getting boring now.

Wade deserved the MVP award in the 2009-2010 season that went to LeBron James.

No player did more with less than Wade. Assuming you don't have an address near or around Miami, can you name five other Heat players besides Wade?

Exactly.

He is an outstanding offensive player, an above-average defensive player, an NBA champion and shares that in-game intensity that MJ and Kobe Bryant seem to have in common.

Wade is amazing, so is Miami.

Even with that team in shambles, he won't leave. Wade no doubt will work hard to recruit help, but regardless of how that goes, he stays.

1 - LeBron James

29.7 pts 7.3 reb 8.6 ast
Player option

Did you know James was a free agent?

Mhm, he is.

James has it all, amazing offensive skills, defensive intensity that you rarely see from the Association's elite players and very marketable demeanor. He has the whole package on the court but lacks the crown jewel, an NBA Championship.

The Association can market a loser only so far.

Ouch, sorry LeBron, but I have to call 'em as I see 'em. If the two-time NBA MVP wants to stay on his lofty NBA perch, he has to bring home a ring. Simple as that.

Much has been written about James desire to find a home where he can launch a global marketing campaign.

That is so much bunk. In today's day and age, you can be a viral global YouTube hit after recording your uncle getting hit in the nuts with a hacky-sak in your backyard in Kalispell, Montana.

Forget global domination LeBron, go to a winner! Win, and global domination will come.

So, what teams are best suited to give the King his best chance at a ring? The Cavaliers, Bulls, and Clippers. In order of best chance to win, from best to worst, the list would look like this, Bulls, Clippers, and Cavaliers.

Sorry Akron, James goes.