2010 NBA Free Agency: LeBron James, Joe Johnson and Others Bound for New Homes

The 2009-2010 NBA season has finally come to a close. The Los Angeles Lakers are your two-time defending champions, capping off one of the better Game 7s we have seen in quite some time.

Now, it's time to get down to business. No, not the upcoming draft, but free agency.

July 1 is less than two weeks away, and already we are getting buzz about potential suitors for teams.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and Carlos Boozer are the biggest names on the market.

However, I am already coming to a conclusion that three guys will be with new teams within the next month: LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson.

In fact, I am confident it will happen, and if it doesn't happen, I will never write on the NBA again.

These men were likely to leave, but for different reasons. Amare and Joe are on teams that have shown to be frugal with their cash in the past, while LeBron needs a change in scenery.

Johnson has no chance of returning to Atlanta. The recent coaching hire by the Hawks showed their desire to find the man who would take the cheapest pay.

Johnson did finish on a disappointing note for the city of Atlanta, and his tenure will end there. He will not get a max contract or anything close to it from the Hawks.

Now we turn to Amare, whom I feel will test the waters and find a new home as well.

The Suns made news this week when they announced that Steve Kerr will not return to the team as general manager.

Kerr did a very good job during his three years in Phoenix, bringing the team to the Western Conference Finals.

Both sides are giving a different story, but I think Kerr left for a few reasons. Sure, he may want to get back into broadcasting. I do think, though, that he was going to be put in a tough financial situation.

This suggests that they won't give Amare anything near a max contract, which will result in his departure.

Both of these guys have the same teams interested in them: New Jersey, New York and Chicago.

There is a new development as well. Joe Johnson has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks, while Amare is connected to Miami, despite the recent MRI check on his knee.

And now, onto the biggest fish in this year's pond: LeBron James.

Though I am not a fan of the Cavaliers, it would be nice if the King stayed in Cleveland. But I don't think it will happen.

Tom Izzo declining the offer to be head coach says it all. LeBron had an opportunity to meet with Izzo, but he didn't.

We know he has time to meet with Wade, Bosh and others about joining forces in 2010-11 and beyond.

Besides, we have to look at his options in free agency.

New York Knicks: They have the bright lights of NYC, Madison Square Garden, and they have the space to sign LeBron and another star.

New Jersey Nets: LeBron is great friends with Jay-Z, and the team will be moving to Brooklyn in a four-year span, and with a possible sign and trade, they can bring in another star as well.

Miami Heat: Here, he could team up with Dwyane Wade. Must anything else be said?

Chicago Bulls: It's the most talented team from top to bottom for LeBron to join and he could continue the tradition that MJ brought to Chicago.

Los Angeles Clippers: They have a young group of stars (Gordon and Griffin when he returns) and a veteran presence in Baron Davis.

Cleveland Cavaliers: It's his hometown.

I just can't see LeBron still being in Cleveland by July. He has an opportunity to team up with another star and pursue a title, an option that the Cavaliers can't offer.

He also has a solid understanding of what's going on in the Cavs front office, and for that matter, he is aware of the general manager's plan for the future.

There are too many question marks in Cleveland, which could result in LeBron heading to another team for years to come.

Free agency is just around the corner. The next month should be one of the most exciting times in the history of the NBA, as the balance of power is ready to be shifted for the next decade.

Matt Miselis is a Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/MattMiselis