2010 NBA Free Agents: Hottest Updated Rumors On The Free Agent Front

This era of free agency is fast and furious and the rumors and the news swirl fast as we approach the deadline. This is the list of most recent rumors involving the top free agents and where they will land after the deadline. I will update this article with rumors as I hear about them.

LeBron James: Latest rumor is that James wants to make a decision on where he will play next year by July 5. (Source: ESPN) Don’t expect teams that want to sign James to meet with him until tomorrow morning instead of at the deadline like other players. James wants to sleep in before the busy day ahead of him. I wrote an article on James going to Miami but many are suggesting he may actually stay in Cleveland.

Chris Bosh: There is trouble with Bosh because he wants to leave on a sign and trade deal. This could eliminate Miami and Chicago has possible destinations. General manager Bryan Colangelo has ruled out bringing back the expensive contract of Bulls forward Luol Deng. Sources said the Raptors will try to acquire draft picks and young players in return for Bosh. They would likely ask for forward Michael Beasley and point guard Mario Chalmers in any deal with the Miami Heat . If Bosh were to go to the Chicago Bulls , the Raptors like forward Taj Gibson and center Joakim Noah , though Noah could prove impossible to pry from Chicago. If Bosh settles on the New York Knicks , the Raptors would try to engage in a double sign-and-trade that sends Knicks forward David Lee to Toronto. The actual front runner’s may be Houston and Dallas, but Bosh will have to want to sign with these teams to make it happen. (Source: Yahoo Sports)

Joe Johnson: It is being reported that Johnson will be the first to sign a contract once free agency starts. As Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is determined to explore a possible sign-and-trade to acquire Johnson. The Mavericks would be an appealing destination to Johnson, who is a native of Arkansas. Johnson also would face far less pressure fitting into a talent-laden Mavericks team than he would with New York or Chicago. Staying with Atlanta with a max contract is not out of the question.

Dirk Nowitzki: As reported by fanhouse, Dirk is heading to Dallas from Germany to negotiate and sign a deal with Dallas. Rumors are also circulating that he is coming back to help woo a free agent to Dallas and the target right now is Johnson.

Paul Pierce: The latest rumor on Pierce is that he will be a Celtic next year. He opted out to get a better deal but will not hold the Celtics hostage over a long term and Doc Rivers coming back (Source:ESPN) is a strong sign that he an Ray Allen will return next year.

***UPDATE*** 8:08 EST

Denver Post reports that the Nuggets offered Carmelo Anthony a three year extension for 65m and if he does not accept the deal they will trade him instead of letting him walk as a free agent next year. Although it was on the market before the trade rumors, the Denver Post reports he is selling his Denver mansion.

Feel free to post the latest rumors in comments and I will post them when I see them across the wire. NBA Free Agency is here!