by Bill DiFilippo

Never in NBA history has there been a free agent class that could shake the sport’s landscape like the free agent class of 2010. Of all the potential prizes a team could land, it is undisputed that LeBron James is the #1 guy. While there are some teams that have no chance of landing him (like my Magic, who spent a combined $34,000,000 on two of my least favorite players on Earth. I’m looking at you, Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis), a list of potential suitors has been wandering around since last summer.

If I were a consultant for LBJ, I would tell him to go to a select few teams. Counting them down 5 to 1, here is my list (note: for now, we’re throwing out Cleveland because, if LeBron was smart, he would leave that horrific organization):

5) Portland Trail Blazers

If LeBron wants to win titles, this is the way to go. If he’s surrounded on one side by a big guy who can score and rebound and a versatile guy who can help him when he has an off day, he’d get rings every other year. In a related story, the Blazers have LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy. Also, LeBron would be right next to Nike’s headquarters all the time. From a marketing standpoint, this is a great move. Imagine how much time Nike can spend catering to the man if he’s there all the time. And the best part of this, LeBron gets to make a French guy ride the bench. I am all for screwing over French athletes in any way, shape, or form.

The main reason LeBron won’t go? Portland is the #22 media market in the country. Now, that’s excellent in the grand scheme of things, but for LeBron? He wants a huge market. He wants eyes on him at all times. He wants a place like the next for places listed. How about this?

4) LA Clippers

Personally, I think this might be the most intelligent move LeBron can make. Not only is he in the #2 media market in the USA, but his running mates would be somewhere between 3 and 55 times better than the ones he has in Cleveland. Plus, he’s not only in the same conference as Kobe, but he’s in the same city! We could give this new rivalry a nickname (I prefer “The Battle of Los Angeles” after my favorite Rage Against the Machine album), have every game on national TV, and suddenly the NBA will matter to people again. The biggest reason I feel he will be drawn to the Clips is the potential coaching situation, which is about 4 paragraphs away from rocking your world.

(Remembering the Clippers are the most jinxed thing in the history of things)

LeBRON! DON’T GO! THE CLIPPERS ARE JINXED! FIRST BLAKE GRIFFIN’S KNEE, NOW YOU! STAY AWAY FROM LA!

3) New York Knicks

For some reason, everyone thinks the Knicks are the favorites to land LeBron and at least one other high level free agent. Here’s the deal, the Knicks only have enough cap room to sign one maximum deal. So all the rumors that they can get some combination of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire, and Joe Johnson need to stop right now. Unless a scenario where two or three guys sign for less money and Nike gives them a ton of money for a marketing campaign, this isn’t happening.

However, I do feel like the Knicks have a fantastic chance to land Bron Bron. I have spent many nights in my bed imaging what LeBron would be like in Coach Mike D’Antoni’s fast paced, pedal to the metal offense. I just can’t do it. I can’t even begin to fathom LBJ flying up the court like a gazelle, being given freedom to do basically anything he wants.

Really, the only reason I can find for LeBron (or any free agent, for that matter) is, if his teammates in Cleveland sucked, how is New York any better? Chris Duhon? Al Harrington? Danilo Gallinari? Maybe David Lee (because his name his always on the trading block)? I just threw up in my mouth a little. Hey, if LeBron can waste away with mediocre teammates and a bad coach in Cleveland, what’s stopping him from wasting away with mediocre teammates and a good coach in NYC?

2) Chicago Bulls

LeBron has wanted to pay homage to MJ since day one. What better way than to try and continue his legacy in Chicago? Chicago is extra intriguing because they have arguably the best point guard in basketball (Derrick Rose), Andy Varejao on crack (Joakim Noah), and a ton of role players who can cater to LeBron. They are also in a huge market, and they are the second of three teams who have the Clippers coaching situation. Again, this will rock your world right…..about…..now.

1) New Jersey Nets

Ok. Here’s the deal. Jersey, Chicago, and the Clip Show are all without head coaches. One of LeBron’s best friends on Earth is current University of Kentucky coach John Calipari. Apparently, there’s a rumor that NBA Power Broker William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley is

(Internet Photo) Could Worldwide Wes (left) decide LeBron's fate? Bill thinks so.

trying to broker a deal between teams that says, in layman’s terms, “If you sign Cal to a deal, you win LeBron.” Not only do I believe this rumor 150%, but I think this is the best news any team can hear.

You see, there are two coaches I feel can lure LeBron anywhere, Calipari and current Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. Both New Jersey and Chicago are in the financial place to get one of these two guys. Add in that both teams seem hell bent on getting one of these guys, and I can’t imagine LeBron turning away from one of these teams.

So why New Jersey over Chicago? My reasoning is twofold: Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z.

I’ll explain Jay-Z first. Jay-Z is arguably the biggest rapper on the planet. Jay-Z also happens to be extremely close to LeBron. There have been a few games in Cleveland and Boston where Jay-Z’s been courtside cheering LeBron on. LeBron’s even gone over to him before, during, and after the game and talked to him. If you had the chance to make millions of dollars and got to hang out with one of your best friends, wouldn’t you take that opportunity? Like right away?

Then we get to Mikhail Prokhorov. The man is the new Russian majority owner of the team

(Internet Photo) "Приезжайте в Нью-Джерси" is Russian for "Come to New Jersey."

worth between $13,000,000,000 and $18,000,000,000. His resources are endless.  He won’t have to worry about paying the luxury tax for going over the salary cap because he’s worth more money than the Vatican. Could he woo multiple free agents because of how much he’s worth? Of course he can! For example, let’s say draft Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors in the NBA Draft. Then let’s say they package Courtney Lee and Bobby Simmons’ unfavorable contract for a future pick. Suddenly, they have enough cap space to sign any two players they want. Could that previously mentioned deal where two Nike guys come and start a new marketing campaign thing work now? Of course!

Continuing to speak hypothetically, let’s say they get LeBron and Joe Johnson. Suddenly, the Nets have Devin Harris at the point, Johnson at the 2, and Bron at the 3 with Favors and Brook Lopez anchoring the frontcourt. Holy schnikes. Suddenly, New Jersey goes from the worst team in the league to arguably the best. As a New Jersey native, trust me; the Nets need to do something right. And they can start by getting the most dominant force in the NBA.