NBA Free Agency: The LeBron James Domino Effect

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Feb 11, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron James Signs With The Phoenix Suns

How it would happen:

Maybe LeBron doesn’t like that it took the Cavs four years to remove owner Dan Gilbert’s scathing letter following the King’s departure in 2010. Maybe he decides he doesn’t like his agent Rich Paul pushing him in one direction toward Cleveland. Maybe LeBron’s friendship with Eric Bledsoe, not to mention Paul’s representation of his client Bledsoe, makes a difference. Or maybe a simple look at the Phoenix Suns’ current situation is enough to convince LeBron he’d not only contend for a title this year with Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and possibly even Carmelo Anthony, but for years to come with all of the Suns’ young players and future draft picks.

How it would affect:

The Phoenix Suns – Immediate return to relevance come playoff time and possible temptation for free agency Carmelo Anthony. A Big Three of Dragic, Bledsoe and LeBron is nearly impossible to defend and the Western Conference playoffs turn into the closest thing we’ve seen in real life to a basketball-themed Hunger Games. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has to think about eradicating conferences, or at least changing the playoff format. The Suns win their first title in the next two years after Melo signs on as well. This writer weeps for joy.

The Cleveland Cavaliers – More heartbreak for Cleveland. They miss out on the King’s homecoming party after trying desperately to make room for a max salary spot by looking to unload Jarrett Jack‘s $6.2 million contract. With that space, they make Gordon Hayward a max offer out of desperation, which the Utah Jazz match because God continues to hate Cleveland. Luol Deng leaves for greener pastures and the Cavs have to settle for possible rejection from Channing Frye or Trevor Ariza. A once promising summer dissolves into a full reliance on Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins for the future.

The Miami Heat – The quickest Ozymandias-like turnaround we’ve seen from a contender since the Chicago Bulls following Michael Jordan‘s second retirement. Dwyane Wade re-signs with the Heat and gets paid out of Pat Riley‘s loyalty to the face of the franchise, but in two years it’s one of the league’s worst contracts since Wade’s knees just can’t take the mileage anymore. Chris Bosh signs with the Houston Rockets, who vamp up their efforts following James’ departure from Miami. Lance Stephenson re-signs with the Indiana Pacers so they can finally break through in the East.