Free-willys in the NBA

King James, Nike Basketball

LeBron, D-Wade and beyond: Sizing up the free agent class
The Associated Press
USA Today

It takes more than just one King to make a free agency class elite.

LeBron James is the prized piece of this year's group, but he's not even the only NBA MVP that will be on the market. Some fellow Olympians are joining James, and maybe together they will chase a ring to go with their gold.

Free agency opens at midnight Eastern on Thursday, offering what is widely considered the greatest group that's ever been available. Teams have been clearing payroll for years just so they'd be in position to offer maximum salary contracts to one or more players.

James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are at the head of the class, and two or more of them could even wind up playing together.

Not to worry. There's plenty more out there.

At least one of Boston's Big Three will be available, and speaking of big, so will Shaquille O'Neal. There's All-Star options everywhere on a list that got even deeper Tuesday with news that Dirk Nowitzki would opt for free agency.

Some players are bargains, others will break the bank. Here's some of what teams will be looking at when they start their shopping.

HEAD OF THE CLASS

LeBron James, Cavaliers: One of the most coveted free agents that sports has ever seen. The two-time NBA MVP would crush the spirits of fans throughout his native Ohio if he left Cleveland, and he's going to get plenty of intriguing opportunities to do so.

Dwyane Wade, Heat: Has bounced back in a big way from a couple of injury-shortened seasons, returning in dominant form at the 2008 Olympics and not slowing down since. He seems most likely among the big free agents to stay put — as long as Miami brings in some help, which it is in great position to do.

Chris Bosh, Raptors: He seems set to be a nice addition to a team next season. Even general manager Bryan Colangelo has admitted that his power forward likely will leave Toronto, so the Raptors will consider sign-and-trade options. Both James and Wade would like Bosh to join them — unless all three end up together.

*****

MAYBE THE MAX?

These guys may view themselves as worth maximum value deals, but the market might say otherwise.

Amar'e Stoudemire, Suns: An explosive scorer who is still only 27 years old and whose averages of 26.4 points and 9.8 rebounds after Feb. 1 trumped Bosh's 23.8 and 9.6, according to STATS LLC. But with two knee surgeries among his injury history, he could be viewed as a risk.

Joe Johnson, Hawks: The Hawks could offer him a max deal, but their competition likely views the All-Star shooting guard as a No. 2 piece, especially after he managed just 12.8 points per game on 30% shooting in a dreadful second-round sweep by Orlando.

Carlos Boozer, Jazz: The two-time Olympian is ferocious around the basket and a double-double threat every night. But he might suffer in comparisons next to Bosh and Stoudemire, and the Jazz seem willing to let Paul Millsap replace him if the price is too high.

*****

CHEAPER CHOICES

These guys lack the accomplishments of the studs atop the class, but they seem on their way.

Rudy Gay, Grizzlies: He's added a decent perimeter shot to go along with his superior athleticism and fell just shy of averaging 20 points for the second time in three years. Memphis can match an offer, but the Grizzlies aren't known as big spenders, so perhaps Gay could be pried away.

David Lee, Knicks: New York finally had an All-Star again and now is prepared to lose him if it can sign two of the max players. One of the league's best rebounders is now a very good outside shooter for a big man. He certainly would benefit from a move back to his natural power forward spot after being forced to play as an undersized center with the Knicks.

John Salmons, Bucks: An underrated shooting guard whose scoring was a key in playoff pushes for Chicago in 2009 and Milwaukee last year. If the Hawks lose Johnson, there's speculation they'd look into Salmons.

*****

YEAH, BUT WOULD THEY REALLY LEAVE?

These guys can become free agents, but it's hard to imagine them moving on.

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks: The former NBA MVP is using the early termination option in his contract, but owner Mark Cuban always has been willing to spend on a contender, so the big German likely will find his best deal is to stay.

Paul Pierce , Celtics: Pierce can terminate a contract that would pay him $21.5 million next season. But the Celtics certainly would re-sign the 2008 NBA finals MVP, who would risk going down among the Boston greats if he left.

*****

HAVE A SHOT

Teams in need of outside shooting can pick through this group of marksmen.

Ray Allen, Celtics: He wants to stay in Boston, and coach Doc Rivers has said he hopes the Celtics will re-sign him. But it'd likely require a big pay cut from this season's $19.8 million salary, and Allen might find there are teams with more cash to spend who might be willing to give him more than the Celtics.

J.J. Redick, Magic: He might never be the explosive scorer he was at Duke, but his shot is still great, and his ballhandling and defense have greatly improved. He's a restricted free agent, so the Magic can match any offer for him.

Kyle Korver, Jazz: Playing with Boozer and Deron Williams in Utah, Korver has proven he can work within the offense to find his shot. He could be available if Utah uses its funds to keep Boozer, especially since it drafted a potential replacement in Butler's Gordon Hayward.

Quentin Richardson, Heat: After a few injury-plagued seasons, he's played more than 70 games each of the last two seasons and shot a career-best 40% beyond the arc in 2009-10. With the Heat pointing all their cash toward the biggest superstars on the market, Richardson's veteran toughness could be available.

Mike Miller, Wizards: He was expected to be a key contributor last year after the Wizards acquired him from Minnesota, but nothing went as planned in Washington. Now maybe the former Rookie of the Year and sixth man award winner can try elsewhere.

*****

THINK BIG

Shaquille O'Neal, Cavaliers: Shaq couldn't help the King win a ring in Cleveland, and now he'll join LeBron James on the free agent market. He'd likely have to take a massive pay cut from last season's $21 million salary. Having shown a willingness to stay in shape the last couple of years, he might get the two-year deal he wants.

Brad Miller, Bulls: The kind of player who always will draw interest; he's not just a typical center and is comfortable playing away from the basket. A team looking for a veteran big man might consider him.

*****

LOOKING AT LAKERS

The point guards of the NBA champions are on the market, and one seems anxious to move on.

Derek Fisher, Lakers: The veteran guard has been a part of all five title teams since 2000 and always seems to come up with a big shot or two at some point in the postseason. The Lakers will want to keep Kobe Bryant's good friend in Los Angeles.

Jordan Farmar, Lakers: Fisher's backup said after the season he's ready to seek a bigger role after spending the last four years as a reserve in Los Angeles, adding he doesn't fit well in the triangle offense.