NBA Free Agents: 2010 Preview
NBA betting experts will be basing many of their upcoming predictions and calculations on the events of the next few weeks. The online betting community will eventually examine the 2010-2011 NBA season after a much-anticipated free agency summer, which officially begins on July 1.
If a World Cup blog on Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is drawing attention around the globe, many NBA blogs are definitely focusing on LeBron James, who is the biggest fish in a very big and high-powered free agent pond. LeBron still doesn’t have a coach in Cleveland, as the Cavaliers organization swims in turmoil and transition without a clear path forward.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls dealt Kirk Hinrich to the Washington Wizards on draft night to free up cap space and progress to a point where they can sign two max free agents. The Bulls, with new coach Tom Thibodeau, are aggressively moving to pry LeBron away from the Cavs, but it’s King James’ choice at the end of the day.
One has to concede that Tom Izzo’s refusal to become the coach of the Cavaliers is hurting Cleveland’s position in the LeBron sweepstakes. Any coach who signs on the dotted line in Northeastern Ohio will want to know for sure that LeBron will be there as well. Since King James is going to wait out this process and not commit prematurely, the Cavs could be stuck in limbo for awhile.
Other dramas in the free agent period are plentiful. One rumor that flew around over the past few days was that Amar'e Stoudemire would go to Miami—that rumor surfaced on Twitter. Other rumors had LeBron and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh both going to Chicago. Still more speculation had LeBron and Bosh joining Dwyane Wade in Miami, though that’s highly unlikely just because of finances.
Miami is also working to clear cap space for two max free agents and is comparatively well-positioned for the free agent derby. However, the idea of one team landing three huge superstars is about as realistic as the idea of Ghana winning the World Cup. The World Cup odds won’t soon tilt in Ghana’s favor, and the NBA free agency odds won’t soon involve Miami snagging three stars this July.
At least some conclusions can be drawn from the free agency process. For one thing, Bosh is certain to leave Toronto. His situation with that crumbling franchise is almost untenable, and Toronto—which also has been dissed by Hedo Turkoglu in recent months —is just not a place any high-profile NBA player wants to be seen these days. The Raptors will not be headed for success in 2011, and that can be taken to the bank.
Another safe conclusion is that if Chicago whiffs on LeBron, which NorthBet.com odds favor to happen, the Bulls will still have max money for other high-profile free agents. If Bosh comes to the Windy City without LeBron, the Bulls—given the rest of their starting core—will still have a very formidable team.
If LeBron were to go to the New York Knicks, for instance, a Chicago team with Bosh would instantly be an Eastern Conference championship contender, especially since the Boston Celtics are not getting any younger.
