Next Years Class Of Stars!

The 2009 NBA season hasn't even been a month old yet and all people can talk about is the 2010 free agent class, which is headlined by LeBron James, Dewayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. So let's talk about it.

If everyone opts out of their contracts and everything goes according to plan, this will easily be the best free agent class in NBA history. Looking past LeBron, Wade, and Bosh, there are some players in this class who can turn your team from pretender to contender. You have T-Mac, Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Shaq, Yao Ming, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki and there still is more. If you have enough cap room, definitely look into snatching one of these guys up because all have experience and all are future Hall of Famers.

Moreover, I think there's only a few teams who can actually come out of the summer of 2010 with a big name star.

1. New Jersey Nets
2. New York Knicks
3. Miami Heat
4. Los Angeles Lakers.

First, let's talk about the New Jersey Nets and their chances of grabbing one or maybe two players in this free agent pool. With them moving to Brooklyn, and with the help of Jay-Z and their Russian owner, I really like their chances. Jay-Z and LeBron have a very televised friendship, so if he can lure "King James" to Jersey then I wouldn't be surprised. Now they are a young team already, but all they need is someone to take over games and be a dominant force. If they can trade away some draft picks and expiring contracts, I think they can make a strong case to also get a big man like Stoudemire, or Nowitzki. If they're able to get one star then I'll think they'll be able with that, but if they can get two then the Eastern Conference better look out.

As for the Knicks, it's really hard to tell what they will or can do. The only leverage they hold over the other teams in the LeBron sweepstakes is that he loves New York. He loves the environment and he loves playing at MSG, which makes the Knicks not a bad option for him. However, I doubt LeBron is going to want to come to a team that has no potential of ever winning a championship. I think the Knicks will definitely come away with at least one big name next summer, I just don't know who. I think a good pick up would be Joe Johnson, because he can definitely take over games and he gives them someone who elevate them over their hump now.

The Miami Heat is the one team who can do a lot of damage next summer. If they can lock Wade up and get rid of some of those lack-luster players they have now, they can maybe get a big man to match Wade with up. The perfect compliment for Wade would be Amar'e Stoudemire. They have enough young players that can easily aid Wade and Stoudemire to potentially a deeper run in the Eastern Conference. It all depends on Wade's moves though, because if he leaves then they'll have to restructure their whole offseason.

Now to my 4th and final team, the Lakers. This is going to sound a bit complicated, but here goes. I don't think they'll enough money to go get another free agent next summer, but they can do a trade and sign him type thing in which they send Bynum, Odom, and a few other bench players to the Cavs for LeBron. I think the team they have now is good enough as it it, but if they got him boy would that be a summer headline. Kobe and LeBron on the same team, that's practically unbeatable.

Those are just a few teams who I think can make a splash next summer but every team in the NBA can make a move. It will definitely be a summer to remember, and one that will go down in NBA history. I can't wait!!