NBA Free Agency Bonanza: Musical Chairs About To Begin

The game of musical chairs is about to begin. We have our participants lined up, we have the chairs, and the music box is being wound up.

On the eve of the beginning of free agency, we will take a look at the participants (players), the chairs (teams) and where they may land.

The Players

Tier I

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh

Tier II

Dirk Nowitzki, Amar'e Stoudamire, Paul Pierce, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson

Tier III

Rudy Gay, John Salmons,Ray Allen, David Lee, Luis Scola

Tier IV

Tyrus Thomas, Brendan Haywood, Raymond Felton

Tier V

JJ Redick, Udonis Haslem, Shaquille O'Neal, Al Harrington, Josh Howard, Jermaine O'Neal, Amir Johnson, Carlos Delfino, Travis Outlaw, Mike Miller, (gulp) Allen Iverson

The Teams

The following teams either have enough cap space to be relevant or they will figure into the mix via trades (alphabetical):

Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards.

And The Music Plays

So who lands where?

Earlier in this off-season, I predicted LeBron James would re-sign with Cleveland with an early termination option that would allow him to opt out of his contract after two years. This would put pressure on ownership to continue to build around him, and allow him to move to Brooklyn when the Nets new arena opens up in this trendy borough of New York City.

Many things have changed since I first wrote that article, and as a result it appears some of the teams have upped their antes. It now appears that Chicago and Miami have the strongest chance of landing the King.

Contrary to reports by the likes of Stephen A. Smith that are all but guaranteeing James to Miami, I see him heading to the Windy City.

Wade is all but guaranteed to return to Miami as he has actually been recruiting for his team and team president Pat Riley.

Bosh now becomes the wild card in this situation as he would prefer to be the Robin to one of the other's Batman. Personally, I see Bosh heading wherever James goes, and I could see the Bulls making a strong push to sign him early.

This brings us to the next tier. The Knicks probably already know that James isn't coming to town, so they will move hard to secure Johnson.

Nowitzki is definitely staying in Dallas. The only real possibility would be a sign and trade reunion with Nash in Phoenix, but I highly doubt Cuban will gift wrap his guy to a rival. There could be interest in Nowitzki from New York, but I don't see why Dirk would bolt for a marginal team at best.

Stoudemire is likely going to try to head east, pairing himself with whichever superstar doesn't secure Bosh. A good bet would be Miami, although they will probably be choosing between Stoudamire and Boozer, who both seem like a perfect fit for South Beach. However, look for the Knicks to make an aggressive push to reunite Stoudemire with Mike D'Antoni.

Pierce is a late joiner to this party, but I see him making an impact out west. An interesting choice, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, would put Pierce in a Clippers jersey, shoring up their small forward spot and helping to add leadership to a young and talented team.

And now we're on to the third tier.

Rudy Gay has a lot of talent but has a tendency to play to the level of his competition. The Knicks or Nets would be a nice fit for Gay, especially considering both of those teams will strike out on the first tier guys and will need to satisfy their fans. I could also see Boston getting into the competition if Pierce indeed bolts.

David Lee is an interesting player here. The Knicks will obviously want to bring him back, but if they are able to reel in Stoudemire they will likely let him walk. In that case, look for Phoenix or the Nets to make a move here.

Ray Allen is nearing the end of his career, but he can still shoot and would be a nice complimentary player for LeBron in Chicago. However, if he is hung up on the money issue, he might be better off signing with Sacramento or Minnesota. If he is okay with the mid-level exception, he would be a perfect fit in Denver, but I don't see that happening.

Salmons is in a similar situation, although he has never received big money so he will probably want it now. Look for him to wait until all the chips settle and move into a situation where an owner is trying to please a disappointed fan-base. For that reason, New Jersey or New York would be a natural fit.

Luis Scola is an interesting player. Given that he is a restricted free agent, he would have to receive a ridiculously big offer for Houston not to match. I just don't see that happening. Look for him to remain with the Rockets.

Of the next tier, the only one that could possibly garner more than the mid-level is Felton considering the weakness of this free agent class at the point guard position. I know that Detroit hopes Felton doesn't want more than the mid-level, but he will likely get a solid raise. Look for Sacramento to make a move on him in order to move Tyreke Evans to the shooting guard position.

Haywood will probably get the mid-level for a contender, such as Atlanta, and Thomas may get a little more from a team like Miami.

In tier five, the hot name right now is Redick. Look for him to land with whatever superstar doesn't get Allen, because at this point in their careers they both do about the same thing. If the Bulls strike out on Allen, look for Redick to get a hard look. But don't forget about Boston, who might want to kick the tires.

Haslem is an interesting player for the right team, such as Toronto if they are willing to pay him; Haslem will probably go wherever the money is greatest.

Of the remaining players, the most intriguing would probably be Amir Johnson. He is an athletic, defensive-minded big man that would fit perfectly in Utah. However, Toronto will probably try to keep him, although Milwaukee could become a player as well.

The rest of the players will receive the mid-level or less and most are at the point in their careers where they are trying to chase a title. Look for them to each wait until all the chips fall before they are signed.

And in the case of Iverson, remember these words: Caveat Emptor . . . buyer beware.