Free Agent Free-for-All

The clock is slowly winding down on the largest free agent free for all the NBA has seen in quite some time. A huge crop of talent, headed by LeBron James, is or has been up for grabs over the past seven days, and things will really get interesting starting tonight, when King James will hold a press conference to announce to the universe his intention: to stay with Cleveland. Once the other 29 teams realize they are all losers in the LeBron sweepstakes, it’s anyone’s guess who will end up where in the star-studded scramble for the remaining big names -- D-Wade, Chris Bosh, and the like. One thing’s for certain though: it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Speaking of certainties, I was never more relieved than when I received the text message from ESPN that Marc Stein was reporting the Dallas Mavericks and my man Dirk Nowitzki had agreed, in principle, to a four-year, $80 million contract. Honestly, when Dirk opted out and chose to become a free agent, I felt in my heart he would remain Mr. Maverick. I hoped and prayed I would never have to see him sporting some other team’s colors and sitting on the opposing bench, but in reality, if Dirk had chosen to go to a championship contender, as heartbroken as I personally would have been, I really couldn’t blame him. For Dirk, having tasted a championship and ultimately lost it, winning that ever elusive title is all that really matters. It’s not about the money; it’s all about the ring.

That fact partially explains why Dirk has agreed to a less than max contract. Obviously, Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban and the Mavericks would have given Dirk whatever he wanted to keep him here in Dallas. And apparently, judging by his acceptance (at least verbally) of a less than maximum contract, Dirk has made it abundantly clear what he wants: a legitimate shot at winning a championship, here in Dallas, the only home he has known in his professional basketball life. Hopefully, the money that Dirk has given up will be used to lure the missing piece (or pieces) of the championship puzzle to the Mavericks.

At least, for Dirk’s sake, let’s hope so. There’s no one in the NBA (no, Cavs fans, not even LeBron) who deserves to win it all as much as Dirk does; no one has carried their team more, made more changes and sacrifices, nor been the loyal face of the franchise for longer, than the big German. If a championship could ever be awarded based on loyalty, longevity, desire, drive, determination, and a pure basketball heart, Dirk would be the undisputed winner. Here’s hoping Dirk did the right thing – not just for Mark Cuban and Mavericks’ fans, but for Dirk himself – by staying in Dallas and giving it another shot.

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Reports from early this morning claim that both Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have verbally committed to play for the Miami Heat. D-Wade staying in southern Florida really came as no surprise, nor did Bosh’s reactionary decision to jump ship to the Heat. League sources, reporters, even the average NBA fan was fully aware of the proposed Bosh-James-Wade grouping that had been repeatedly mentioned in Miami. Although he’s a very talented player and a great second option, I’ve never really thought Bosh was the superstar type player that franchises build around, and therefore, was not surprised to see him opt for Miami, someplace with a proven superstar capable of winning (some might say stealing) an NBA title.

I was sad, however, to hear that Wade chose to stay in Miami. As much as I expected his decision, I really would have loved to see him playing here, in the blue and white, alongside Dirk. As much as it pains me to say this, and as much as it goes against every fiber of my being to even consider being a fan of Dwyane “Crybaby” Wade as one of my beloved Mavericks, I truly believe he could have been the key to Dallas, finally, winning that ever elusive championship. Unfortunately, now we’ll never have the chance to find out if it would really work.

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Personally, I believe at 9pm tonight, on ESPN, before a captive crowd, LeBron is going to announce that he is going…nowhere. I think he plans to stay in Cleveland and try yet again to be the hometown boy who made good, the hero who brought Cavs’ fans their championship, even if it took a little longer than everyone – including James himself – anticipated. Even if I’m wrong, and James does decide to jump ship, as much as I would love to see it happen, that ship won’t be setting sail for Dallas, either. Having said that, if I were Donnie Nelson, my number one free agent target this offseason would be….(drum roll, please)…Carlos Boozer.

Even if Stoudemire hadn’t gone to the Knicks (I’ve always thought he was too injury prone and highly overrated), and Joe Johnson hadn’t received an unbelievably ridiculous offer to stay in Atlanta (sure, he’s tough, but do we really need another Jason Terry?), Boozer still would have been my first choice, aside from Wade. If you wanna talk tough, there’s not many tougher than Boozer the Bruiser. Boozer would give the Mavericks something they have been forever lacking: a physical presence in the post. Dallas has tried to substitute anyone and everyone in all sorts of strange combinations to fill this need over the years, but so far, nothing has worked well as a legitimate long-term option. Boozer is the physical post player Dallas needs to help them get over the hump.

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In just a few short hours, LeBron James will make his big announcement and officially end the suspense, as well as the hopes and dreams of 29 NBA franchises. Phones will light up and players, managers, and owners will hold conversations into the wee hours of the night, trying to make moves to put their teams over the top and not come away empty handed from the free agent free-for-all. When all is said and done, I’m just hoping my boys in blue will be on the winning side of the equation as we prepare for the upcoming season.