LeBron Wastes First Day Of FA

By: Stephen Patterson

While every team with cap space available, including some without money looking to make a deal with Cleveland, scramble to meet with LeBron James, he decided to pretty much waste his first day on the market. No offense to Knicks or Nets fans, but it's really unlikely James is going to join one of your franchises. While both teams spent the day offering James glitz and glamor, neither team has a very good chance of convincing James to leave his hometown team because of recent achievements. The Nets are moving in the right direction it seems with their new owner. The Knicks on the other hand may be a different story.

Even though the Nets can offer James the chance to play under new coach Avery Johnson, and the Knicks have Mike D'Antoni, are either of those coaches better than new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott? In my opinion, they don't combine to match his coaching abilities. Scott has already led two teams to the Finals, and he could very easily make it three this season if LeBron stays in Cleveland. D'Antoni can't win when it matters and Avery Johnson won't immediately give New Jersey playoff hopes, so don't expect them to win James with coaching.

Is Devin Harris really that much better than Cavs point guard Mo Williams? Not by much. Brook Lopez is the type of player not many teams can offer James as a teammate, but I don't think he's worth leaving Cleveland for either. The Knicks don't really have many pieces to entice James to come play in MSG, and I honestly think they will waste money on an overpaid acquistion that isn't at the top of LeBron's wish list. While one team could sign a good enough free agent to possibly convince James, I think their attempts still fail.

While everyone keeps talking about LeBron needing the New York market to make money, I honestly think he could become a billionaire playing for the Grizzlies. His real money comes from outside of basketball and if he's the winner he says he is, championships will make you more famous than any arena or team name ever could. Is Jordan remembered and the most known player ever because he was a Chicago Bull? Or was it because he won six championships in dominating fashion? I think it's pretty self-explanitory that LeBron has just as much potential to achieve his finacial dreams in any city he signs with as long as he can deliver titles.

There is always the off-chance James could go to one of these two teams, but I honestly don't think there is an offer possible that could've been made today to sway James to New York/New Jersey. I still personally feel the most likely destinations for LeBron are Miami, Chicago, and Cleveland in that order. Dallas could be the potential dark horse in the situation, but I don't see any other teams having much hope. Expect LeBron to playing in South Beach this fall with Dwyane Wade and company.