2010 NBA Free Agent Class; Also known as the day the Earth stopped

12:01 has now passed, so the fun begins. It’s the most excitement since the Finals, well it actually may be more exciting than the Finals. The celebrated free agent class of 2010 is going to be eligible to sign in just a few hours. Are there any good restricted free agents along with the prized unrestricted players? Where are all the top free agents going? How much are they getting? Will they be teaming up with other max contract guys? Let's find out, in countdown style, who my top 25 free agents of this spectacular free agent class.

Honorable Mention – Richard Jefferson – Unrestricted – Guard/Forward – San Antonio Spurs

This idiot, just kidding, decided to jump ship after I ranked my guys. He passed by his last year of his deal, and me and my buddies think it’s what everyone else is doing; trying to get a deal before the current collective bargaining agreement expires. Apparently “It’s all the rage.” He did walk away from $15 million!!! $15 MILLION!!! Wow.

Where to – I think he has something left to prove in San Antonio after a TERRIBLE year.

25. Derek Fisher – Unrestricted – Guard – Los Angeles Lakers

Everyone thought he was done during the season. He had career lows in pretty much every category and at times he even looked dead on the court.

Then the playoffs rolled around and he turned it back on. He even lead the Lakers to a Finals win all by himself in the forth quarter.

This leads me to believe that he still has something left in the tank. It might just be a year or two, but he was a leader in the playoffs and most importantly the Finals - where the Lakers won their 16th title.

Where to – Los Angeles Lakers – He works well with Kobe - supposedly Kobe only listens to him and Phil Jackson in the huddle- and no way he leaves with a chance at another 3 peat and his 6th title.

24. Luis Scola – Restricted – Forward – Houston Rockets

He is an under the radar player who always produces. He is best at the 4 but with Yao out he was forced to play center at times. With Yao coming back, look for a bigger year from Scola.

Where to – Houston Rockets – I can't see him leaving or the Rockets letting him leave unless they feel Jordan Hill will be better next year on a possible playoff team.

23. Mike Miller – Unrestricted – Guard – Washington Wizards

He had a down year but he was, after all, on the crappy Wizards, where everyone sucked, got traded, or was suspended. He shot poorly but expect him to regain his sweet perimeter jumpshot on a contender. It might take a while for him to find a place but a smart team like the one below will realize it is a good fit.

Where to – San Antonio Spurs – They didn't seem to have that three point threat at all last year with Roger Mason on the bench, Bruce Bowen gone, and with Richard Jefferson disappointing.

22. Tyrus Thomas – Restricted - Forward – Charlotte Bobcats

The Bulls couldn't tap into his potential so they traded away the former No. 2 overall pick. He played a little better in Charlotte but he still has to be considered a bust, that is if/when someone can bring out his potential.

We have to see what the market is for him but there are a lot of early busts coming out this year.
He is restricted so if the Bobcats like him in their future they will likely match any offers made to him.

Where to – Charlotte Bobcats – I can't see Larry Brown telling MJ to get rid of him or let him go. Brown likes his guards primarily, but let’s see if he can develop the young big man.

21. Al Harrington – Unrestricted – Forward – New York Knicks

He wasn't terrible I'm NY. Well actually everyone was bad in NY but that's beside the point. He just turned 30 and still has talent and wear left on the tires. He won't b the key piece of a team but he still could put up 20 and 10 on the score sheet.

We know he isn't coming back next season. The Knocks foolishly think they have a chance at bringing LeBron James and possibly Chris Bosh to the tea. So Harrington will be looking for a new to play on next season.

Where to – Who knows? He won't sign anywhere, at least in the East, till the "prizes" have already signed. There were trade rumors he could have gone to the Bulls at the trade deadline but to sign with them he will have to wait for the marquee guys to sign first.

20. Shannon Brown – Unrestricted – Guard – Los Angeles Lakers

The dude can jump. Period. He worked well with the Lakers the past two seasons, but he might be seeking some more money that the Lakers can't give him. The Lakers do need someone to give the team energy and with his highlight reel dunks he gives them plenty of that. He needs to work on his shooting if he wants to become a starter somewhere. But in the mean time, he might enjoy sitting behind the best player in basketball.

Where to – Los Angeles Lakers – It might all come down to money for Brown but he is in the perfect situation right now. He is winning rings and coming off the bench as a main cog for the Lakers.

19. Josh Childress – Restricted – Guard – Atlanta Hawks (rights reserved)

We haven't seen him in the league the past two season due to a contract dispute and role disagreement with the Hawks management. He got 3 years and $20+ million from a team in Greece. The Hawks still hold his rights for the NBA and they might just welcome him back with open arms since Joe Johnson will likely be leaving.

Where to – Hawks or stay in Greece – the Hawks will likely match any offer given to Childress, and Childress won't come back if the Hawks don't reward him as he feels like he deserves.

18. Matt Barnes – Unrestricted – Forward – Orlando Magic

He is a tough dude that plays stellar defense and shoots the three well. I personally don't think he liked Coach Stan Van Gundy much, but the new NBA bad boy is one of the best in the league on defense and is mentally tough – and dangerous when he gets angry.

Where to – Phoenix Suns – He oddly didn’t re-up there last year when I thought he would. He had a nice year in Orlando but I think he will be better back in that hot city.

17. Nate Robinson – Unrestricted – Guard – Boston Celtics

The little guy can score. He is a bundle of energy but gets himself in trouble when he wants the ball too much. On the Celtics he seemed to mature in the short time he was there, and being Rajon Rondo’s back up might be good for him. It might be the best thing especially with Doc Rivers returning for next year.

Where to – Boston Celtics – they are like a lot of teams this year, little player personnel. They will need some scoring off the bench.

16. Tracy McGrady – Unrestricted – Guard – New York Knicks

I changed his rank because, well there are better players on the market. He still has the talent but has to prove he is healthy. He can score at will even when he is hurt and if he returns to the D’Antoni system then he could be lethal.

(MAY 26) Teams and fans have a fascination with his scoring abilities and for good reason. But he cannot do much else and he is an injury risk. He has had microfracture surgery in his balky knee twice and has other minor procedures performed on it. He was traded to the New York Knicks at the trade deadline and if healthy will fit in with coach Mike D’Antoni’s system. He wanted the move and was finally granted it so don’t expect him to leave.

Where to – New York Knicks – McGrady stays with the Knicks unless they can lure a bigger free agent to them.

15. Marcus Camby – Unrestricted – Center – Portland Trailblazers

He’s one guy that seems to have gotten over past injuries and played at a high level with age. He may not be the great player he once was but he is still a very solid center who provides elite defense.

Where to – Boston Celtics. I got no proof, but with Kendrick Perkins out and Rasheed Wallace retiring they could use a big man.

14. John Salmons – Unrestricted – Guard – Milwaukee Bucks

He’s been underrated for the past three or four years now, yet all he does is score, score and score some more. The Bucks will miss him if they can’t convince him to stay and that is a huge if.

Where to – New Orleans Hornets. He sure would look good playing alongside Chris Paul. Marcus Thornton will move to the bench, but Salmons might average more than half of what Thornton scored. I’ll take that trade off.

13. Paul Pierce – Unrestricted – Forward – Boston Celtics

If I was convinced or even had a little bit of a thought that he was actually leaving I would have him around eight. But since I don’t….

Where to – Boston. Did you really have to ask?

12.Raymond Felton – Unrestricted – Guard – Charlotte Bobcats

(MAY 26) Again another player that does not get his due. Sure he is not really tall enough to be a shooting guard but he sure can score. You can say he has the Gilbert Arenas disease, the scorer who is masquerading around as a point guard. He has his moments as a point guard but Felton can be a special scorer and would be great for a team in need of scoring. Do not expect Felton to return to the bobcats because they have D.J. Augustine waiting.

Where to – If the Knicks can’t land Ricky Rubio or another potentially good point guard, the he could be in the fold. The Pacers could also be in on Felton. They were talking about drafting a point but took Paul George.

11. Ray Allen – Unrestricted – Guard – Boston Celtics

He was Boston’s best player after the trade deadline and was good in the playoffs. Then he was amazing in 1 game in the Finals, and then continued to be streaky throughout the series.

Where to – I saw a scenario were ESPN’s Chris Broussard had Allen signing for the mid-level exception and teaming up with LeBron and a few others in Cleveland. It sounded difficult but I liked it. Either that or back to Boston.

10. J.J. Reddick – Restricted – Guard – Orlando Magic

WHAT??? Reddick before Allen, Pierce, Felton or Salmons? I must be crazy, right? Hear me out. Reddick is a younger Allen that will cost less, and the Magic might pick up the offer. So taking the risk on signing him isn’t as bad as it sounds.

J.J. should have been starting a year or two ago but Stan Van Gundy, is, well, an idiot. If you watch, Reddick does what Allen does. He might not play defense as well but he does shoot and come off picks well like Allen. I’ll take him.

Where to – If Orlando doesn’t pick up the offer Reddick signs, I think the Celtics would love him taking over for Allen. That is if Allen goes elsewhere.

9. Carlos Boozer – Unrestricted – Forward – Utah Jazz

He won’t be the prize of any team but he will follow and find a partner in crime to go to another team.

(MAY 26) He could have opted out last year and gotten some big money even though he was coming off a knee injury. This year he is in the midst of a stacked free agent class, and seems to be screwed. He hasn’t gotten any younger, looked small and overpowered against taller guys like the Lakers big men. If he goes to the east he will be in a better situation because they have shorter big men in the conference.

Where to – Like I said, he won’t be the main prize of any team this year, and he will sign with a bigger star. He could go to any number of teams with any number of players. The choices are: stay with Utah (doubt it); go to New York; New Jersey Nets; Miami Heat; or Chicago Bulls. He will team up with: LeBron, Wade, or Joe Johnson. Wildcard, may be Phoenix. He could replace Amar’e Stoudemire, but he probably doesn’t wanna go against the Lakers big men that much.

8. David Lee – Unrestricted – Forward – New York Knicks

I love this guy. You hear how guys are always so underappreciated, but this guy is the definition of it. He is always putting up big numbers and seemingly no one notices it.

(MAY 26) I just don’t get it. The guy is a double-double machine and it always seems like no one wants to pay him or even trade for him. The guy will get you 20 points and 15 rebounds on a solid night but apparently teams just don’t like him. He should be just below a max contract.

Where to – See Carlos Boozer above, except I think he could stand his own against the Lakers.

7. Rudy Gay – Restricted – Forward – Memphis Grizzlies

I think he is leaving now. Ask me before the draft and I think the Grizz match any offer. Now? Not so much. With Xavier Henry going to Memphis I think Gay is as good as gone. He is highly talented and athletic, but he is overrated as a player because of these.

Where to – I think there are three options. The Knicks, the Clippers, and Boston. Knicks if they can’t (won’t) get LeBron; the Clippers just to get the money; or Boston if Pierce stupidly leaves. Either way, I think Gay gets the money he craves and makes a team better,

6. Dirk Nowitzki – Unrestricted – Forward – Dallas Mavericks

He supposedly isn’t leaving, which is why I don’t have him at four. He is more Robin than Batman. That is obvious due to him not winning a title with the talent owner Mark Cuban has brought in.

I bet Dirk is disappointed, though, after being knocked out the playoffs again but leaving the Mavs is no way to get that elusive title. The Mavs are set up to have a ton of cap space so they can sign Nowitzki and another max contract guy. He probably will sign for less money to get that big free agent into Dallas.

That max contract guy they have interest in is obviously LeBron James (Owner Mark Cuban was fined $100k for talking about how he has interest in James) but Wade could also be a target.

Where to – Dallas will be where he stays, probably for the rest of his career.

5. Joe Johnson – Unrestricted – Guard – Atlanta Hawks

(MAY 26) He left Phoenix for the big money and a chance to prove himself. Looks like he will do the same here. It’s been rumored by insiders that Johnson wants to play in the Big Apple. Why he would want to leave the Hawks for the lowly Knicks is confusing, but hey the Hawks were a sad group before him and now they are a perennial playoff team

Where to – He wants the spotlight in New York and the big money but he is the Knicks fifth or sixth option. There is also a rumor out there saying that Johnson will be the first free agent to sign and that team will be the Atlanta Hawks. He is perfect there, so why would he want to leave?

4. Amare Stoudemire – Unrestricted – Forward – Phoenix Suns

While Amare is an athletic freak and an amazing talent, he seems like a Robin to someone else’s Batman. He is, as I said talented, but if he wants to be a better player he needs to do two things; grab a stinkin’ rebound and learn to make a shot that isn’t a dunk. Stoudemire embarrassed himself in the Western Conference Finals when he called Lamar Odom’s brilliant Game 1 lucky. He wouldn’t have to call anyone lucky if he could make a mid range shoot or grab the ball after a miss!

He has some injury history so that likely will come into play during contract negotiations. If Amare does leave the Suns, which I don’t exactly think he will, he will probably pair up with either Wade or James.

Where to – Miami with Wade if the rumored three max contract guys don’t go there. New Jersey or Chicago so he doesn’t have to play center. Or the Knicks. Still don’t know why anyone would want to go to the crappy Knicks.

3. Chris Bosh – Unrestricted – Forward – Toronto Raptors

(MAY 26) When he was drafted they called him boom or bust. Well he is definitely BOOM. He is probably better than we give him credit because he has been trapped up there in Toronto.

Sure at times it did seem like he was lackadaisical this season, but how would you feel playing for a team going nowhere and not making the playoffs for a couple years? The guy is “uber-talented” and will sign big.

Where to – Bosh gave a list of teams he is considering to the Raptors consisting of Toronto, the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bosh was spotted at a Lakers playoff game, but to go to L.A. a sign-and-trade would have to be done.

Rumor – There are rumors that Bosh will follow LeBron anywhere he goes. Bosh would be a better fit with Wade in my opinion though. The most intriguing rumor is Bosh heading with Lebron to Miami with Wade. I think Bosh should go to Miami regardless.

2. LeBron James – Unrestricted – Forward – Cleveland Cavaliers

I made this bold choice a while ago. And I am going to stick to it.

(MAY 26) I’m crazy right? Sure he is talented, a two-time MVP and a freak of nature, but I have to agree with Skip Bayless on this one. James hasn’t won anything with a better cast than Wade.

Sure Wade had Shaq when they won a title but Shaq was (still is) declining in skill. And after Shaq who else on that team was better than anyone on LeBron’s team? LeBron has (had) a good team the past two years and that is evident with the back-to-back 60 win seasons.

James has the skills of a leader but the mentality of a sidekick.

Where to – There are a number of places he could go: stay in Cleveland, go to New Jersey, Chicago, the Knicks and Miami. Here are the reasons.

Cleveland Cavaliers – I don’t think he will leave his home state team and if he does he becomes public enemy No. 1. Call me crazy again, but if LeBron leaves Cleveland without a title you can consider him a bust. Yes he has all the achievements but he didn’t win the big one. He was there once and had the opportunity to go again, so it is on him not the team. He SHOULD return.

Miami Heat – Team up with Wade and dominate the eastern conference for years to come. Both stars would have to put their egos aside but it’s about winning championships right? I think Wade could (the Heat would still be his team), what about you LeBron? Oh and now they can get a third max contract guy, Bosh or Stoudemire maybe?

Chicago Bulls – James craves the spotlight and loves being compared to Michael Jordan, so why not go to MJ’s former team and team up with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah?

New Jersey Nets – They are moving to Brooklyn and have a partial owner in his buddy Jay-Z. Doesn’t make sense because they are so far away from even being in the playoffs.

New York Knicks – The rumors were never for James to go here but the media sure does love the idea.

Rumor – See the rumor comment above with Bosh.

1. Dwayne Wade – Unrestricted – Guard – Miami Heat

I hate how everyone is talking about LeBron and not about Wade. Wade has actually won a title! Hello! I know it’s likely he stays but c’mon.

(MAY 26)Have you ever seen a player do more with less than this guy? Put it this way, if Wade wasn’t on the Heat the team probably would have been as bad the Nets, yet they were the five seed in the playoffs! Take LeBron off the Cavs and they probably would make the playoffs.

Yes Wade hasn’t always been the healthiest but he has been hearty lately (he played 77 games this year).

He also has that so called “clutch gene” that Skip Bayless always says that Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan have. Whenever there is a game winning basket in the NBA it always seems to be by Kobe or Wade not LeBron.

Love me or hate me, I’ll take Wade.

Where to – Miami Heat – I had him staying before but gave him options. Well everyone, me included, are 99% sure he is staying so I won’t even put out any other teams. With all their cap room they could sign LeBron and Bosh to pair up with Wade and could still possibly keep Michael Beasely. Another bonus for those guys, no state taxes in Florida.

Got any question or comments? Hit me up on twitter @19Yanks23 or comment the blog. Both go to my phone so I can quickly reply. Love me or hate me hit me up.