Does LeBron James' Cleveland Diss Set the Stage for a Dwyane Wade Union?
ESPN's Jalen Rose recently twittered that LeBron James would not be returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, which is yet another chapter of the continuing saga of James.
James has managed to hold attention with speculation about his free agency destination running rampant, and vicious rumors concerning his mother and teammate Delonte West all around the web.
If Rose's comments are true, the proverbial door is wide open for the many teams hoping to land James' services, and a potential co-pairing with another superstar in this free agency period is closer to reality.
Dwyane Wade stirred the pot of controversy when he made comments suggesting that he and other free agents in this deep class would confer before making any decisions about their destinations.
His words gave merits to the thoughts of collusion between players and made the possibility of Wade teaming with a player like James, Chris Bosh, or Joe Johnson much more than a dream.
James' main destination choices would appear to be New York, Chicago, and New Jersey, but it's not hard for me to imagine him joining Wade in Miami if certain conditions are met.
The landscape of the Eastern Conference will change regardless of where James or Wade eventually sign, but if they decided to combine their collective talents, they would determine the balance of power.
Another player would likely be needed to play alongside both players in the post, but it would be a lot easier to lure players with the prospects of joining a team led by James and Wade.
I'm sure both players are cognizant of the Los Angeles Lakers' championship last week, and both likely understand that the Lakers will be the team to beat in the NBA for the foreseeable future.
James has also likely realized what Wade knew all along.
In order to reach the postseason and have a legitimate chance to win, it will take more than one dominant player on a roster, and James has the evidence of the past two seasons as proof.
In some shape or form, both James and Wade will make it a priority to sign with a team who is capable of pairing them with similar talent, and why not take a chance and do it together?
They are considered two of the top three players in the game, along with Kobe Bryant, and a mutual friendship shared between Wade and James should offset any questions about ego.
Wade has said Chicago is not on his short list of teams, but the opportunity to play in Michael Jordan's shadow, alongside James and Derrick Rose, may prove to be more temptation than he could handle.
Or what about New Jersey with their new billionaire owner, and battle-tested new coach in Avery Johnson?
New York would provide James and Wade with the ultimate stage to stake their legacies, because if media attention is what they want, they will get it in the Big Apple, the media capital of the world.
Any of these teams would provide a great starting point for each player's immortality, but only if Wade and James give serious consideration to facing the future together.
Wade has already won one championship, and James can squarely set his focus on obtaining his first if he is led by thoughts of his legacy, rather than his enormous purse-strings.
James and Wade can revolutionize the professional game if they choose to enter the 2010-2011 season on the same roster. If they harbor any real hopes of competing for NBA championships, they will give some thought to the idea.
