NBA free agency draws near...

At midnight tonight, the NBA free agency period begins. For some, like the New York Knicks franchise, this has been a two year countdown. For others, like the Chicago Bulls, some have recently made shifts in personnel to make room for max players.

There have been some surprises already as Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki have opted out of their options with their current teams to become free agents. Most believe that Pierce and Dirk did this to work new deals with Boston and Dallas. But other guys, like Richard Jefferson opting out, are a bit more confusing.

Of course all eyes are on Cleveland and King LeBron. It's being reported that LeBron will meet with Nets and Knicks ownership tomorrow with Chicago and Miami meetings coming up too. But James isn't the only big name out there, not by a long shot.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest names available and some of their possible destinations...

LeBron James: Cleveland, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Miami
Everyone has an opinion on where LeBron will end up. You can make a case for any of the suitors for him but I think in the end he stays in Cleveland. Still, there are many who believe he'll end up in Chicago. Chicago certainly has the goods to offer LeBron with guys like Rose and Noah already on the roster. They also have room for LeBron and one other max player. I still find it hard to believe James would go to a city where the fans and media will constantly compare him to the greatest player to ever play the game.

Dwayne Wade: Miami, New York, New Jersey, Dallas
Wade will see if there are some options that would allow him to win right away, but NBA sources say Pat Riley is committed to bringing Wade back and building around him. Miami has the cap space to sign him and one other max player.

Chris Bosh: Toronto, New York, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, LA Lakers
There isn't a real leader, or so it seems, for Bosh's services. He did say that the possibility of him playing with Wade and LeBron in Miami seems like "pie in the sky" and the numbers don't seem to work for that to happen. All three would be max players and there just isn't enough money to go around for all of them to play together. For some reason I like the Knicks to get Bosh in the end, but Miami and Chicago are certainly in play.

Amar'e Stoudemire: Phoenix, Chicago, New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston
Stoudemire could literally end up anywhere. Most believe he stays with the Suns but it's no secret that he wanted max money there and didn't get it so maybe he's ready for a change? Don't forget that he's from Florida and if Miami misses on LeBron and Bosh, they will have more then enough to bring Stoudemire to South Beach.

David Lee: New York, Toronto, Phoenix, Dallas, Miami, New Jersey
Lee is not as sexy as some of the other names on the board, but has the production that will have plenty of teams interested. New York needs a change and probably won't pay him what he deserves so his departure is likely. A sign and trade with Toronto for Bosh is a possibility. He's also on several teams back up plan such as New Jersey and Miami.

Joe Johnson: Atlanta, Miami, New York, Dallas
Johnson is also a back up plan for teams like Miami and New York if they miss out on some of the bigger names. Rumors late this evening say Atlanta is ready to give him max money to keep him in Georgia but that won't keep him from meeting with other teams over the next 48 hours. New York is likely a destination but I am not sure that they are prepared to pay him max money. New York is hoping to woo Johnson with the possibility of playing with LeBron and hoping that he's open to making less than max money. If they could work out such a deal that would leave them with enough money to possibly sign two max players like LeBron and Bosh. If Atlanta does indeed offer him max money however, it'll be hard for him to walk.

Rudy Gay: Memphis, New York, Miami, New Jersey, Dallas, Chicago
Gay is a restricted free agent allowing Memphis to match anyone's offer. New York is interested for the same reasons that they are interested in Johnson and he may be a more likely scenario for the Knicks. The question is will Memphis step up and finally become a player in the free agency period?

Carlos Boozer: Miami, Utah, New Jersey, Phoenix, Orlando
Boozer would love to be in Miami, but he's probably plan C behind LeBron and Bosh. Utah likely has conceded that Boozer won't be back as they drafted Hayward who they hope can be groomed into his role. Some rumors have Orlando working out a spot for Boozer on their roster. It could be after some of the bigger names are off the board before we'll get a good indication where he'll end up.

Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas
All indications are that he'll work out a new contract with Dallas.

Paul Pierce: Boston
Like Dirk, he's likely to rework his deal with the home team and finish his career a Celtic. If that happens, expect Boston to try and keep Ray Allen in Beantown as well. At 34, Allen is no longer in the mix for a huge contract but that's not to say that there won't be other teams interested.


There's my take for now and there are certainly a lot of other names in the mix. As with college recruiting, free agency is a fluid situation and will likely change a lot over the next few days. Expect our local NBA expert, Austin Martin to come along this weekend to give his take on all things free agency.

Stay tuned...