For the better part of a year, it was widely assumed that star forward Carlos Boozer would opt-out of his current contract and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009. (Mostly because Boozer himself stated on numerous occasions he would do just that. "I'm opting out. No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless," Boozer told ESPN.com back in December.)
However, on Tuesday, in the hours before the decision deadline, Boozer stunned his team and the entire league by informing the Jazz that he would not to opt-out of his contract, and instead would spend the 2009-2010 season in Utah. His teammates, Memo Okur and Kyle Korver, surprisingly made the same decision. As the shocking news spread throughout the NBA, it elicited various reactions. The Jazz front-office had to have faced mixed emotions; as they are now trying to decide how they will keep promising power forward Paul Millsap in Utah.
However, somewhere in Manhattan, you know Knicks GM Donnie Walsh was smiling. As was nearly every other NBA GM that has made carving out the maximum amount of 2010 cap space their number one priority. Yes, the incomparable 'Class of 2010' was now even richer and more star-studded…
While it is commonly referred to as the "Summer of LeBron," that is a bit of a misnomer. Although King James is the grand prize, but there are certainly some awfully nice consolation prizes to be won.
Without further adieu, let's examine next summer's potential free-agent crop with a position-by-position breakdown (Just as I did earlier this week with the current class of 2009 NBA free agents) :
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Point Guards:
Steve Nash (Team Option: owed $13.1 million for the 2009-2010 season): Point guard is the one position that is relatively thin with regards to this free-agent crop. As a result, the former two-time MVP will have plenty of suitors, with New York and former coach Mike D'Antoni set up as possible front-runners.
Rafer Alston (Unrestricted): Skip was impressive in the playoffs, helping to lead the Magic to the NBA Finals. However, he was relegated to the bench for key moments once Jameer Nelson returned for the Lakers series, and was then shipped off to New Jersey in the Vince Carter deal. He now finds himself backing up Devin Harris.
Chris Duhon (Unrestricted): Played extremely well over the first few months of last season, but then wore down in the second half.
T.J. Ford (player option for '10-'11 - owed 8.5 million): Ford would likely have to take a pay cut if he did opt out, but he would also have the opportunity to land a longer deal with more guaranteed money. Much depends on how he performs this upcoming season.
J.J. Barea (Team Option –$1.8 million): The Mavs will pick up this relatively inexpensive option, especially if they lose J Kidd this summer.
Shooting Guards
Dwayne Wade (Player Option - owed 17.0 million in 10/11): D Wade is widely recognized as the silver medal. Of the Big Three (LBJ, Wade, and Bosh), he is the only one with an NBA Finals MVP on his resume. Odds are he stays in South Beach, but anything is possible. Would the Illinois native consider playing alongside Derrick Rose for his hometown Chicago Bulls (who, by the way, will have plenty of cap space…)
Joe Johnson (Unrestricted): One of the more unheralded stars in the Association, Johnson is a versatile and valuable guard entering his prime. He'll be wooed by every team in the league.
Michael Redd (ETO - owed $18.3 million in 10/11): Redd, who is coming off an MCL and ACL tear, is a gifted scorer and great teammate, but is otherwise limited. He may choose to keep the guaranteed 18+ million and stay in Milwaukee for another year.
Ray Allen (Unrestricted): Some presumed Allen was on the down slope of his career after a statically disappointing 2007-2008 campaign which saw his scoring, rebounding, and assist numbers plummet during his first season spent trying to fit in with the rest of the 'Big Three.' But Allen responded with a surprisingly productive '08-'09, as his scoring jumped back over 18 ppg again. And the most impressive aspect of his bounce-back season was his incredible efficiency. Ray-Ray posted career-high shooting percentages from the floor (48%) and the charity stripe (95.2%).
Manu Ginobili (Unrestricted) – Yes, he always seems to be dinged up and has trouble staying on the floor due to his aggressive style of play, but (when healthy) Manu is one of the best players on the planet. He is a consummate winner and every team would love to have him on their roster.
Peja Stojakovic (ETO – owed $15.3 million): Due to recurrent back injuries that have frequently kept him out of action, it safe to assume Peja won't terminate early.
Kyle Korver (Unrestricted): There is always a market for one of the League's more lethal marksman.
John Salmons (ETO – owed $5.8 million): With Ben Gordon now in Detroit, Salmons will have a greater opportunity to showcase his skills in Chicago.
Roger Mason (Unrestricted): San Antonio got him at a steep discount last summer and Mason hit plenty of big shots during his first season with the Spurs
Raja Bell (Unrestricted): A respected defender that getting a little long in the tooth.
Small Forwards:
LeBron James (Player Option - owed 17.2 million in 10/11): The crown jewel of this class is the apple of the Big Apple's eye. No need to run down his resume, we all know the balance of power in the NBA will be shifted by his epic decision.
Paul Pierce (ETO - owed $21.5 million in 10/11): With Ray Allen being unrestricted, the C's could lose at least one-third of the Big Three. But with KG still under contract through 2012, and considering he is owed a whopping $21.5 million, Pierce may very choose not to opt-out.
Tracy McGrady (Unrestricted): How will his knee respond to last February's microfracture surgery? Will he return by the All-Star Break? Will the Rockets trade him? More questions than answers when it comes to Mr. McGrady.
Josh Howard (Mavs have a Team Option at $11.8 million in 10/11): Howard has encountered some off-the-court issues that have made Dallas hesitant to commit to him long-term…
Richard Jefferson (ETO – owed $15 million): RJ would have to take a huge pay-cut if he opted out; expect him to stay in San Antonio thru 2011
Mike Miller (Unrestricted): Had a underwhelming and disappointing '08-'09 campaign in Minnesota, but he'll have a chance to prove his worth as a Wizard in Washington.
Travis Outlaw (Unrestricted): Outlaw is relatively young and still developing. Word is the Blazers are shopping him this summer.
Power Forwards
Chris Bosh (Player Option - owed 17.1 million in 10/11): Bosh's future remains very much up in the air. He could very well be traded by February's trade deadline if the Raptors feel he's leaning towards leaving…
Amar'e Stoudemire (Early Termination Option - owed 17.7 million in 10/11): With Suns owner Robert Sarver in financial trouble, the Suns appear to be in full-scale fire-sale mode, which makes Amar'e another prime candidate to be traded (sooner rather than later).
Dirk Nowitzki (ETO - owed $21.5 million in 10/11): You know Cuban will break the bank to keep Dirk in Big D, but is the feeling mutual? Does Nowitzki want to spend the rest of his career with the Mavs?
Carlos Boozer (Unrestricted): As detailed above, he'll be a hot commodity. A 28-year old that is still a legit 20/10 threat every time he steps on the court.
Udonis Haslem (Unrestricted): The type of banger and enforcer every team could use.
Al Harrington (Unrestricted): He's a volume shooter and isn't a great defender, but the guy can give you 25 on any given night.
Centers
Yao Ming (ETO - owed 17.7 million in 10/11): Unfortunately for both Yao and the Rockets, Yao's '09-'10 season, and possibly even his career, are in jeopardy due to a serious foot injury. It is now safe to assume Yao does not opt out.
Memo Okur (Unrestricted): Centers that can shoot the three and stretch out defenses are always in high demand.
Marcus Camby (Unrestricted): The former Defensive Player of the Year will supply copious amounts of blocks and boards.
Tyson Chandler (ETO - owed $12.8 million in 10/11): Another big man battling nagging injuries, Chandler is still being shopped by the Hornets. Depending on his health, he may or may not choose to exercise his option.
Jermaine O'Neal (Unrestricted): In and out of the lineup the last few seasons due to various injures (do we see a pattern developing here among the big men?), but put up respectable numbers when he was able to stay on the floor.
Shaq O'Neal (Unrestricted): The Big Witness claims his goal is to 'Get the King a Ring.' We will all find how just how much gas he has left in the tank.
Brad Miller (Unrestricted): A reliable, versatile pivot – he played well for the Bulls after being traded to Chicago last season.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Unrestricted): Although clearly on the down slope of his career, Big Z remains one of the best perimeter-shooting big men in the NBA.
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