Help Wanted

Here's a list of the remaining free agents to date and where they are leaning. All are unrestricted free agents unless otherwise noted.

1. Iverson- Celtics could use some scoring punch off of the bench.
2. TMAC- Lakers as a backup to Kobe
3. Jason Williams- Miami as a back up pg
4. Anthony Morrow- the Nets need a proven wing.
5. Eddie House- watch him show up in Miami- he is the microwave reincarnated.
6. Matt Barnes- Knicks need a shooting guard.
7. Ronnie Brewer- stays in Utah with the departure of Wes Mathews to Portland. (Restricted)
8. Brad Miller- Miami Heat need some depth their to go with the two rooks.
9. Shaq- San Antonio/Atlanta
10. Ilgauskas- reunites with LeBron in Miami
11. Jordan Farmar-- Chicago needs a replacement for Hinrich trade.
12. Josh Howard- stays in Washington with Wall and Arenas.
13. Richard Jefferson- Cleveland needs a small forward to replace Lebron.
14. Nate Robinson- to Chicago to complete to loss of Hinrich.
15. Tony Allen- is going south to Florida-- either Orlando or Miami.
16. Luis Scola- heading to Pheonix as a restricted free agent. Need a running mate for Nash.
17. Derek Fisher-- ends up in Miami as the starting point guard.
18. Redick - to Utah if his agent gets off front loading his contract.
19. Mike Miller- to the Heat
20. Shannon Brown- will stay in LA

2 Knick moves-- Looking to clear FIBA paperwork to import a 7 footer from Russia. Also looking to move Wilson Chandler as a package with Eddy Curry's large contract. Don't be shocked to Zeke back in the front office as Knicks GM.

DD

James to South Beach

Right now Pat Riley has a dynamic trio in James, Wade, and Bosh-- to go along with Mario Chalmers and Mike Beasley. Don't forget about Butler (F), Pittman(F/C), and Barnardo(F/C) from the 2010 draft- all can be role players for Miami.
How will Pat Riley round out the Heat roster as the Heat move toward their second championship???
Here is a list of unrestricted free agents that the Heat need to consider:
1. Mike Miller- could use a shooter
2. JJ Redick- if Miller balks maybe JJ
3. Shaq- bring him back for a second run
4. Brad Miller- gives them size up front to move Bosh to the #4
5. Udonis Haslem (resign him)- provides depth at the 4-5
6.Marcus Camby- shot blocker at the end of their career who would love a championship.
7. Tony Allen- wing depth and a winner
8. Grant Hill- win depth and a winner ... just a little older
9. Iverson-- Could Riley reform him? Is it worth it? He could provide a buffer for Chalmers development

Stay tuned...
DD

Potential trades to watch and signing

Both ofthese trades have legs-- let's see if they walk.

Trade 1: 4 way sign and trade involving Bosh
Miami- Chris Bosh
Charlotte- Michael Beasley
Houston- Tyson Chandler
Toronto- 2011 second round pick (from Miami)

Trade 2:
NY- Anthony Randolph
Golden State- David Lee

Free Agent signing-
Jermaine O'neil to the Celtics-- 2 yr deal (Rasheed replacement)

DD

What to do in NY

The Knicks made the first step in becoming relevant again with the signing of Amare Stoudamire ... but that is the first step in a series of moves that need to happen in the next 12 months for them to move into the position to be a contender in their division.

1. They need a point guard. Luke Ridenour and Raymond Felton seem to be viable options for 2010- Tony Douglass is a nice back up in the D'antoni system.
Two sleepers could be Iverson and Jamal Tinsley.

2. A center next to Amare. Brendan Haywood and Ilgauskas are the best options out there.

3. David Lee back in NY-- Lee would seem to clash with Stoudamire but could serve as the center in D'Antoni's system. Donnie Walsh could use Lee in a sign and trade to deliver a point guard-- Tony Parker, Glibert Arenas, Monta Ellis, or Ricky Rubio.

4. Get a shooter-- Mike Miller or JJ Redick could mesh well in a system where threes represent 75% of shots taken.

5. Plan for the future-- Carmello in 2011

6. Make a late push for LeBron!!!

Let's see what happens tonight at 9.
DD

Balance of Power

As the dominoes fall, how does the balance of power shift in the East:
1. Orlando-- still believe they are poised to make a move on the market. Need a power forward.
2. Boston- The big three are getting older- need to replace Rasheed with Shaq/Jermaine Oneil-- Allen may bolt-- but could upgrade with Mike Miller.
3.Chicago- has a big athletic frontline with the addition of Boozer.
4. Miami- Wade and Bosh are huge-- may lose Beasley with a sign and trade-- you can't win a title with two guys-- If Heat add James tomorrow bump them up to number 1.
5. Cleveland-- with James healthy they had the best record in East-- without James they are a lottery team. They need a roster overhaul but nobody wants their pieces.
6. Bucks- a team on the rise-- a healthy Bogut, a seasoned Jennings, and the newly acquired Maggette make them a tough first round playoff match up.
7. Atlanta-- has a nice crop of young talent highlighted by the trio of Johnson, Smith, and Horford. If Teague grows into point guard spot they could play spoiler.
8. NY Knicks- Yes ... that's right... D'Antoni and Stoudamire reuinite to get the Knicks back to the playoffs. Gallinari and Chandler are nice complimentary players but the Knicks need a dominant point guard in this point guard league.. maybe a Raymond Felton and a big. They did not answer all of their problems but if Stoudamire matures and 2011 proves to be the year Mello and Lala (his wife) come back to NY we could be looking at #4 spot in 2011.

DD