The NBA Free Agent Class of 2010 has been highly coveted for the past couple of years. With names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, NBA teams have been itching at the chance to dump salary and pursue big impact players.
However, the NBA plans to cut the salary cap for the 2010-2011 season. This could have a huge impact on who championship contending teams are able to pursue. The current 2009-2010 salary cap is set at $57.7 million, and many teams expect a $3 million to $6 million cut. The New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Miami Heat plan to have the most money to spend in free agency. Many playoff contending teams could look to smaller names to get them into better contention. Names such as Carlos Boozer and Joe Johnson will also be available. The Heat may look at keeping Wade and adding a couple of pieces through the draft and a smaller contract in free agency.
With less room to operate under the cap, it is tough to imagine LeBron, Bosh, or Wade going to another playoff contending team. Look for teams to add less expensive players and improve for the draft in the 2010 off-season. Many big-name players will likely remain with their teams on a smaller term deal until the cap situation improves. The amount of salary cap that the NBA cuts will have a huge impact on whether or not these stars switch jerseys in 2010-2011.
3 replies on “What The 2010 NBA Salary Cap Means For Free Agency”
It has not been spoken about, but what about LeBron to Portland, they have a slary cap 56.8 milion, Paul allen could and would pay any over cap penelties, they are an up and coming team. LeBron would have a much better chance of a ring in Portland Vs. NY. and Nike in Portland who is LeBrons largest endorsment deal. Maybe even Phil Knight would increase the endoresment amount to come to the team he has season tickets with.
What are your thoughts on this?
In theory, I think it makes sense. They Trail Blazers are a great up-and-coming team, and Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge have to be enticing. However, I think the reason New York is a front runner in the LeBron race is because of location. If LeBron were to leave an above good team from his home state, I don’t know if it would be to play in Portland. Yesterday, the Miami Heat’s Team President came out and said he was 95% sure that Dwyane Wade would stay in Miami. That would make Chris Bosh the only other max contract player. Right now, I’d say there’s a good chance that Bosh is the only one that moves during free agency, of the big three. Portland may be someone he looks, because of the struggles Greg Oden has had to stay healthy. Aldridge and Bosh as your big men looks like a recipe to compete in the Northwest.
What needs to happen for the 2010-2011 NBA season:
Teams need to be able to cut overpriced free agents like TJ Ford and Jamaal Tinsley and not pay them a dime. Plus that way the Lakers can’t get away with extremely unfair trades such as say the Kobe and Gasol trades only because their the Lakers.