June 30, 2010 – Speculation is rampant about NBA free agency and specifically the endabouts of LeBron James. The money available is crazy. The NBA has teams with two players on the roster. David Stern somehow sees this way to rebuild teams as “good for the league.” Next year there’s the prospect of a new collective bargaining agreement, one reflective of the economy where over half of NBA teams can’t seem to turn a profit. There’s also talk of a hard cap, but the free agents signed this month, would likely be grandfathered in. After the dust settles in July, there will be new teams to add to Stern’s “endangered list.” There is some prospect that a “mini Dream Team” could emerge, while at least one or two traditional contenders fall off the face of the standings.

One thing for sure, there will be surprises that none of the dozens of experts predicted. The decisions will also play out over time, July 1 is only when they can start talking. July 8 is when they can sign and it will take some time after that for all the pieces to fall in. The Knicks lead the way with $34.1 in cap space followed by New Jersey ($29.9), Chicago ($29.1), Miami ($26.7) LA Clippers ($16.8), Sacramento ($15.3) and Minnesota ($13.4).

The prospect of revitalizing teams with the likes of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki and so on is tantalizing for off-season “on paper” gurus, but here’s our inside dope on the new multi-millionaires:

1. LeBron James is 27-years old and has never won anything. The theme is that he can’t do it alone and that the collection that Cleveland put together last year was a mixed grill. Talk of teaming up with Bosh or Wade may meet the demand for secondary support, but Wade and LeBron both needing the ball would be the first hurdle. Bosh is the only free agent whose value has gone up after never doing anything significant in Toronto. James is a beast, but has some mileage and may have only a five-year window to meet his goals. He’d still need a point guard and to avoid injuries. Chicago, Miami and Cleveland are the best bets, with Chicago adding a second supporter (Bosh or Nowitzki) to team with Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng being the best destination for less dollars and three years. Cleveland will factor in until the end, with hometown sentiment and no resources to get him help being the big obstacles. Best Guess: Chicago.

2. Dwyane Wade will stay in Miami and Chris Bosh will follow. Not much else of a a supporting cast (Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers) but there could be some money left over to round out the roster. Chicago could weigh in with hometown and family ties. In Miami, (or anywhere) Wade and Bosh could make for a solid team, but not a title shoo-in. Wade’s vulnerability still weighs in the brains of evaluators who watched him play wounded two season’s ago. Best Guess: Miami.

3. Dirk Nowitzki. It’s hard to imagine Nowitzki away from Mark Cuban, but Dirk remains the perfect compliment to what James and Wade are looking for to win titles. Imagine those twisting, awkward, dead-eye jumpers as an option at crunch time? Imagine his low post presence and his free throw shooting. Imagine what the Mavs would look like without him. Best Guess: Dallas or Chicago.

4. Chris Boshhasn’t really proven himself as a championship piece, but tall, good jump shooter and rebounder are hard to come by. He’s an active player, keeps balls alive and has defense and youth on his side. Bosh is regarded as “a follower.” Which guy he’ll follow remains the question. There’s no reason to believe that with the proper support Bosh would go to the next level. It’s funny how no one talks about guys that can guard LeBron. Of course, few can, but coaches don’t look it that way. Someone has to stem Bron’s flow. Bosh is one guy who can do it for a while. That’s why LeBron and Wade want him. Best Guess: Miami.

5. Rudy Gay.He’s a restricted free agent but he has the youth and talent to be a perfect sidekick. Gay presents a longer range plan where Wade and LeBron can add parts next year or later. Memphis would most likely match, but they sent Pau Gasol to the Lakers, too. Best Guess: Memphis or Miami.

6. Amar’e Stoudemire has had micro-fracture surgery, doesn’t really rebound or play defense and no longer plays above the rim. What he does do is score down low and play like a demon every night. You’ve got to question why the Suns were ready to peddle him last year for little return. From the trade deadline to the end of the year he was a great player. That’s what teams will be willing to pay for. Best Guess: New York.

7. Carlos Boozer is another guy who spent time in the dog house over the past 12 months. Now he’s prime meat. Everyone likes his power and his jumper can carry a team for awhile. He’s a double-double just about every night. He’s been nicked up, but who hasn’t? He fits with Stoudamire and Bosh as a guy who could support James and Wade. Like Stoudemire, he put up his numbers with a solid point guard, which is not guaranteed in some scenarios. Look for Boozer to reap the benefits from teams left out of the big chase. Best Guess: New Jersey.

8. Joe Johnson is a shooting guard best remebered for going to sleep in the playoffs. He can also be remembered as the guy who came from Phoenix and resurrected a woeful franchise in Atlanta. Johnson will balance the Atlanta max deal and the benefits from the after-market that could have him end up somewhere near the Hudson River. Best Guess: Atlanta or New York.

9. Paul Pierce could add a dynamic piece to any contender. He is getting long in the tooth, and it’s hard to imagine him away from Boston. It depends on his pricing and he could become a significant factor after the big guns are gone and teams are trying to round out their attacks. He may swap years for price and be some rebuilt team’s bargain chip. Best guess: Boston or Los Angeles Clippers.

10. David Lee is a 4 or 5, hard-working-white-guy, who averaged 20 and 10 for the Knicks last year. He’s young and a complimentary player who will do the dirty work. Might be easier imagining this guy on a championship team than anyone on the list. Best Guess: Minnesota.