NEW YORK — This summer’s biggest show in sports, which kicked off at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) today, comes from a league that won’t play for months.
It’s called “LeBron James: Free Agent.”
The two-time MVP known more aptly than ever as the King is one of the most sought-after players to hit the market in the NBA — or any sport. Teams have spent years jockeying to get themselves in position for this moment — slashing their payrolls and even enlisting high-profile sympathizers ranging from a music superstar to a singing governor.
James, who has played for the Cavaliers since turning pro directly out of high school seven years ago, is the biggest prize in perhaps the NBA’s deepest free agency class ever, a crop of star players who could change the course of basketball with their decisions.
“I think the landscape could really shift,” former Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr said.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James’ classmates from the 2003 draft — and future teammates in Miami if they choose — are among this year’s free agents. So are perennial all-stars such as Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudemire and Joe Johnson.
“We’ve never had anything like this in my time that I can remember,” New Jersey Nets president Rod Thorn said. “There have been big-time free agents before, but never this many teams that are trying to woo them. So it’s unprecedented.”
Deals can be agreed to but can’t be signed until July 8. The process often goes quickly, but with so many potential good options, James might want to take his time.
After years of jockeying by teams, anticipation by the players and speculation by the media, it’s time to get started.
“It’s what we live for,” Dallas Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said. “It’s fun.”
Nelson said he was moments away from boarding a plane for Nowitzki’s homeland Wednesday when the former MVP’s adviser called to say they were flying to Dallas instead.
Happy Walters, Stoudemire’s agent, said the five-time all-star opted out of the final year of his contract after talks with Suns owner Robert Sarver failed to result in an agreement on a contract extension.
Johnson’s agent said the four-time all-star is meeting with the Hawks, who are expected to do their best to keep him at the start of the negotiating period.
