2010 NBA Free Agency: Separating Facts from Rumors about LeBron James

As July 1 comes closer and closer, the LeBron James rumors have picked up steam with the latest coming from Fox Sports Radio morning host Stephen A. Smith.

Smith tweeted:
“I just reported on my show that LeBron James is heading to S. Beach -- with Chris Bosh -- to team with Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley. Here's the Number to call: 877-99-ONFOX. That's 877.996.6369”

Non-sense, you may say?

Well nothing is nonsense until the bell rings on July 1, and LeBron James and his classmates become free men.

As of now, everything is just speculation and builds up the hype for the most exciting free agency season.

And as of now, instead of spoon-feeding you more rumors, I attempt to see what we can separate to be fact and fiction.

Fact: Teams that have the cap space to sign max contract players

Have you heard the rumors about LeBron signing with the Lakers?

Interesting, but not plausible. The Lakers are about $30 million over the 2010-11 cap space, based on the projected $56.1 million for next season. Thus, they can’t afford an expensive contract, especially James'.

Let’s start with the teams that can afford max contract players and their projected salary cap space:

1) New York Knicks – $34.15 million
2) * Chicago Bulls – $29.1 million
3) * Miami Heat – $27.6 million
4) New Jersey Nets – $27 million
5) Los Angeles Clippers – $22.6 million

(*) The Bulls widened their cap space on draft day by trading Krik Hinrich and his $9 million, along with the No. 17 pick to the Washington Wizards.

The Heats' cap space is dependent on weather they re-sign Wade and buyout James Jones. What’s more interesting is that the Heat can possibly sign not one, not two, but THREE big-namers if they ship Michael Beasley elsewhere.

The Clippers can clear more cap space by sacrificing one of their two top players – Baron Davis or Chris Kaman.

Fact: Possible super-team combinations

Money is one thing.

The Knicks are trying to hit hard by selling “location, location” to LeBron.

Yes, the Knicks can sign both LeBron and Chris Bosh, but their best player, David Lee, is in the market and has more potential elsewhere. This leaves LeBron and Bosh with … stardom that they all ready have?

There is only one sales pitch that attracts LeBron and Bosh, and that's winning. They have to be able to picture themselves on a team that can get them a ring. Wade all ready has one ring; he just wants more.

Here are possible players on each team (with the cap space) that can attract James and Bosh. Analysts like to call them “supporting casts.”

1) *Chicago Bulls:
Supporting cast – Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson
Add: LeBron and Bosh (or another marquee star)

2) *Miami Heat:
Supporting cast – Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, second round pick Dexter Pittman
Add: LeBron, Bosh, and a third max free-agent (potentially Wade)

3)* LA Clippers: Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, No. 8 pick Al-Farouq Aminu.

(*) Mind you, the Bulls don’t necessarily have the cap space to sign two max free-agents, but they can still get both James and Bosh with the “supporting cast” edge.

The Heat don’t seem to be done tweaking their roster just yet, which means Beasley could be gone. Wade is leaning towards re-signing, but that is not yet official. Also, they will be losing key players due to free agency, like Carlos Arroyo, Jermain O'Neal, Quentin Richardson and Udonis Haslem.

The Clippers look like they will unload someone (Davis or Kaman), and we haven’t seen how newbie Aminu (who plays James’ small forward position) is in the pros.

Fact? Bosh’s wish list

ESPN reported Bosh’s list of teams he wants to play with, which are:

1) Toronto Raptors
2) LA Lakers
3) Chicago Bulls
4) Miami Heat
5) New York Knicks

But this report was way back in May, which is enough time for Bosh to reconsider many teams.

He might follow James, but then he later told NBA.com that he won’t wait for James to make the first move.

Not yet fact, but close: Dwyane Wade stays in Miami.

It seems safe to say that Wade will remain a Heat, especially since he is all about “loyalty.”

But in a recent report from the Miami Herald, Wade said he would not rule out meeting with other teams.

The Knicks, Nets, Clippers, and Bulls are still expected to contact him.

Not yet fact, but a common trend

While there have been many rumors about where LeBron will go, there has been one common trend: LeBron isn’t going to stay in Cleveland.

The Cavs can offer him more money, but that would hinder their ability to sign another free agent who could be a difference maker. The current Cavs roster, not to mention lack of a front office, can’t bring James a golden trophy next season.

Rounding up the rumors

Finally, here’s a list of the rumors that have been trending regarding the Big Three: Lebron, Wade, and Bosh. (I can't promise that these are all of them, and if there are more to come.)

Make what you want of them, analyze the sources, but remember that the stars themselves did not speak them.

Blame Jalen Rose for utilizing Twitter to spread LeBron rumors.

Rose, an ESPN analyst, tweeted:
"#NBA BREAKING NEWS (research/sources say) It is almost CERTAIN that LEBRON JAMES WILL NOT be returning to the CAVS! (Bulls/Heat/Clips)."
And...
"#NBA as of 2day the Bulls have the best chance of landing LBJ...Miami would need to make more roster moves...Clips have a punchers chance!"

A couple of days later, Yahoo Sports reported that World Wide Wes said, "(LeBron's) up out of there (Cleveland) ... We're going to Chicago ... and Chris Bosh is coming, too."

Then an article from the New York Times (how legit can you get with a NYT report?) favored the Bulls in landing LeBron.

But, the next day, Stephen A. Smith, who has an impressive sports journalism resume and has close, insider sources, favored Miami in the LeBron chase.

There are just three more days till we find out, but also keep in mind that nothing, (I repeat) nothing is set in stone (or paper) until July 8, when free agents officially get to sign with their respective teams.