NBA Free Agency: The LeBron James Domino Effect

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Jun 10, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the first half of game three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

July is always an interesting time in the NBA. With free agency resembling a circus more and more with each passing year, 2014’s free agency period has been relatively quiet in terms of real signings. So far, the biggest piece of real news we’ve gotten was Spencer Hawes signing with the Los Angeles Clippers. No offense to Hawes and the ghost of his mullet, but that doesn’t make for a particularly juicy summer.

Instead, what’s fueled our interest in 2014 NBA free agency are rumors and reports from “sources” regarding the upcoming decisions for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. These superstars represent the two big dominoes that will really set things in motion once they fall into place. Will Chris Bosh re-sign with the Miami Heat? Will someone offer Gordon Hayward a max contract? Who’s signing Luol Deng? These are all events that may not fully unfold until LeBron and Melo have made their decisions.

Melo’s decision will certainly have league-wide implications, but since LeBron is King Domino, we’re going to take a look at what might happen across the league depending on where the NBA’s best player decides to take his talents this summer. The three biggest threats to landing LeBron are the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, so we’ll try and stick with them for now.