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

Biggest Winner

With all of the attention swirling around LeBron, DWade, Chris Bosh, Stoudamire, Nowitzki, Pierce, and now Mello, one NBA star has used this extravaganza to sign at a much higher value than he may be worth.

Let's digress-- the max player is a franchise player that immediately puts his team in contention for a title. In the midst of this free agency I believe this has been lost and most NBA teams apply to the scarcity principle ... not enough players to go around. By playing by the rules and capitalizing on this mindset, Joe Johnson has emerged as a max player. Do not get me wrong, I love Joe Johnson's game. He's 6-7, can guard multiple spots and is capable of scoring inside, mid-range, and outside. Somehow he has done a great job of positioning himself in the eyes of NBA franchises as a franchise guy... I say GOOD FOR HIM- CASH IN.

In my opinion, the franchise tag has become too broad. In this years class there are only two that fit the definition- DWADE and LeBron. Anyone else that is able to elevate themselves to max money ... take the money and run.

Joe Johnson will be an NBA all-star for the next 5-6 years and may or may not wina title ... regardless, he has done as good a job as anyone in maxing out the NBA free agency game. Enjoy the weekend and let's see where the chips fall.

In case you are not following--- Atlanta offered a max contract to Joe Johnson (one they said they would not) after all of these other teams coveted him. Most reported that his return to Atlanta was automatic now ... look again ... has he agreed to it yet? Still playing the field.

See you next week.
DD

Boozer to Sunshine State ... but not Miami

Watch for a sign and trade between Orlando and Utah-
Utah gets Bass, Gortat, and Vince Carter for Carlos Boozer.

The ultimate give

Ponder this question regarding legacy. What if ...............

Lebron James walked into his meeting with Cleveland and announced that he would like to take the minimum salary possible so that the Cavs could assemble the best possible group of players. The end in mind ..... Championship after Championship to the city of Cleveland. In a day of max dollars and inflated contracts, what kind of following would LeBron James receive if this Robinhood like act would appear as the next act in his play. He is already iconic and beloved in Cleveland ... but in addition to riches, athletes are most concerned with one word ... LEGACY! They would rename the state after him.

Of course, this is not going to happen... But what if? Aside from a Tiger Woods type of scandal, he would become the only untouchable athlete in the history of sports.
Don't get all mushy ... not going to happen.

DD

Trades

Look for these teams to be active in the trade market:
Cleveland:
Look for LeBron to lure Chris Paul and have to take on Okafor's contract (a Byron Scott reunion). Cleveland dumps contracts of Mo Williams and Delonte West-- Maybe Antony Parker as well.
Chris Paul
Ray Allen
Lebron James
Emeka Okafor
Anderson Varejo

Chicago:
They strike out in the free agent class of 2010 but land Carmello in a sign and trade for Luol Deng.
Derrick Rose
Mello
Joakim Noah
All you need is three scorers-- get your dirty work guys in the #2 Spot and the Power Forward Spot.

New Jersey:
Nets use Derrick Favors to bring Al Jefferson to New Jersey. Jefferson, Lopez, and Devin Harris make a dynamic trio for new coach Avery Johnson. Add free agent Al Harrington to the mix and the Nets are challenging for a playoff spot. Initially I had Shaq going to Boston ... but what if the Nets bring him home to NJ to provide a mentor for the 2 young big men.

DD

No Place Like Home

Here's a brief set of predictions of the 2010 free agent class:

Tier 1 True Max Guys:
Lebron James -- Cleveland
D. Wade- Miami

Tier 2: Guys who are looking to increase the value to take advantage of new CBA
Nowitzki- Dallas
Stoudamire- Pheonix
Pierce- Boston
Joe Johnson- Atlanta
Boozer- Miami
Bosh- Sign and trade with NY Knicks

Tier 3: Older guys looking for one last pay day
Shaq- Boston (need a buffer for Perkins)
Ray Allen- Cleveland
Mike Miller- Boston (replace Allen)
Richard Jefferson- Boston (Insurance for Pierce, Miller, Garnet injury)
Harrington- New Jersey
Iverson- Ny Knicks

Tier 4: Young Guys Looking for first pay day
Rudy Gay- Miami Heat (Wade needs a Pippen)
David Lee- Sign and trade to Toronto
Brendan Haywood- Miami
John Salmons- Milwaukee
Josh Childress- NY Knicks

Alot of guys are staying home-- this is great for the NBA. Next up trades-- look for Cleveland to be active.
DD