NBA Predictions 2010: Ranking the Seven Best Free Agency Moves

This is it, NBA fans.

The “Summer of LeBron,” the most hyped and “biggest” free agency period in the history of the Association, is winding down.

While many superstars opted to re-sign with their original teams, many more stars and superstars landed in new cities.

Some signings have been head-scratchers (Darko Milicic to Minnesota for four years at $20 million), but many more have been major moves that may turn some teams into contenders for a championship.

A multitude of teams made moves, but these are the top seven free agency moves of 2010. (These are the best players that have changed teams; ones that re-signed to former teams are not included.)

Al Jefferson to the Jazz

Utah lost their best big man in Carlos Boozer to the Bulls, but they gained a more valuable piece in the championship puzzle—a true center.

Jefferson was an absolute beast for one of the worst teams in the NBA last season, the Minessota Timberwolves, at 17.1 PPG, 9.3 APG and 1.3 BPG.

Although Jefferson has played center for his entire six-year career, ESPN has him listed as the starting power forward for Utah, with Mehmet Okur as the starter at center.

If the Jazz go with them and Andrei Kirilenko at small forward, they will have height that rivals the Lakers (backups still have to be figured out in Utah, though).

For the Jazz, who play in the Northwest where size is a crucial commodity, Jefferson is a significant signing indeed.

Tyson Chandler to Dallas

Sure, Tyson Chandler has missed many games due to injured ankles in the last two seasons, but when healthy, he’s a strong player.

In 2007-08, when he was last fully healthy, Chandler averaged 11.8 PPG and 11.7 RPG—extraordinary numbers for a center in today’s NBA.

CBSsports.com has Chanler listed as No. 1 on the Mavericks’ depth chart for a reason; they believe he can return to that former dominant player.

He’s made strides this offseason as well, playing well enough for Team USA to earn a spot on the 2010 FIBA World Championship Team.

For Dallas, a perennial player in the West, it was a superb signing and adds to the height that Dirk Nowitzki and Brendan Haywood already provide.

David Lee to Golden State

The Golden State Warriors have long been the laughing stock of the NBA.

The last time the Warriors were in the playoffs was 2007, and before that, it was in 1994.

But Golden State has been making some strides to become better for sure.

Monta Ellis has grown into a legit star in the NBA, averaging career highs in points (25.5), assists (5.3) and steals (2.2) last season.

With him in the back court, Stephen Curry was an absolute stud in his rookie season and the Warriors look to have one of the better backcourts in the NBA.

And while their strength is obviously with their guards, Golden State was in definite need of a stellar big.

Who they got was young big-shot big man David Lee. Lee had a career year last season, at 20.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG and 3.6 APG, and he only looks to continue improving long into the future.

Even though the Warriors had to give up three players (Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf), plus a 2012 second-round draft pick—Golden State may have found a golden player for years to come.

Carlos Boozer to the Bulls

Carlos Boozer isn’t a top-tier star, but being on that second tier has its perks as well.

Boozer, who played quite well for eight seasons for Utah, was a bit undersized for the West, but he will find a great place out east in Chicago where he will be the featured star.

Boozer is a beast on the boards (11.2 RPG) and can act as a scoring machine if you feed him the ball in the post (19.5 PPG).

For the once-“Baby Bulls,” Boozer is a valuable veteran presence who will help to make Chicago better right away.

Derrick Rose will love playing with Boozer, who will help him pad his assist stats, and the additions of Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver (both formerly with Utah) will help the transition for all three.

The Bulls will have an extremely competitive starting five in the East—with Rose, Boozer, Brewer, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng—thanks not only to the addition of Boozer, but his running mates as well.

Shaq to the Celtics

Shaquille O’Neal defies traditional thought—always has, always will.

Shaq is not only the most massive human being most Americans think of, he’s also known as one of the nicest and funniest as well.

Shaq is so smart (another refreshing aspect of his personality) that he constantly nicknames himself everything from “The Big Aristotle” to “The Shaqtus.”

And at 38 years old, the 18-year veteran is showing he can still defy logic as he somehow managed to play well (12 PPG, 6.7 RPG in 23.4 Min.) last season for Cleveland.

This time around, he’ll be chasing another title with the other, older three in Boston.

And Shaq should fit right in with fellow senior ballers Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Michael Finley, and new addition Jermaine O’Neal.

Chris Bosh to the Heat

Chris Bosh is arguably the best big man in the NBA today.

Don’t think so?

His 2009-10 stats (24 PPG, 10.8 RPG and 2.4 APG) speak for themselves.

Bosh has developed remarkably well throughout his seven-year career, and it shows every time he takes the hardwood.

Bosh can run the floor as well as any big in the game, has a deft touch on his jump shot and plays tough defense as well.

The amazing thing about Bosh is that his production is still increasing, and he adds a stellar big man presence to go along with Wade and LeBron.

LeBron James to create Miami Thrice

LeBron James, the self- and media-proclaimed “King” of basketball, the back-to-back MVP of the NBA, was obviously the No. 1 signing of the 2010 offseason—for better or worse.

"The Decision" will live on in infamy for years to come, and whether it was the right choice of ways to handle leaving Cleveland for Miami--the image of a player becoming bigger than his sport for even one hour may have changed the way athletes are thought of in the eyes of the media forever.

There's no doubting that LeBron is a magnificent basketball player, the scary thing is that at this point in his career, seven years in, LeBron is just entering his prime.

LeBron is likely to actually improve—as unimaginable as that may seem.

No one jumps out of the gym like LeBron--whether he's bamming an insane dunk or swatting away a would-be lay-up--James is just flat entertaining to watch play.

With the additions of both Bosh and Bron Bron, plus the re-signing of Dwyane Wade, the Heat are the early favorites for Eastern Conference Champions (although Boston will be tough), if not the pick to win the 2011 NBA title.

In fact, ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy said, "I think they have a great shot at it," when referring to beating the Chicago Bulls' regular season record 72-win season.

High hopes and hype are surrounding the trio, but can they make it work?

Rich Kurtzman is a Colorado State Alumnus and a freelance journalist. Along with being the Denver Nuggets Featured Columnist, Kurtzman is the CSU Rams and Fort Collins Beer Bars Examiner for examiner.com, the Colorado/Utah Correspondent for stadiumjourney.com and a Denver Broncos contributor to NFLTouchdown.com.

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