LeBron James 2010

LBJ 2010 – it’s the goal of many teams in the NBA but only realistic by some. A little less than a year from now Cavs star LeBron James will have made a decision and signed a contract with a team for well over $100 million. Whichever team he signs with will be getting a LeBron James who will be transitioning into his prime about two or three years into the contact. It’s scary to think we haven’t seen the best of LeBron James yet.

Where will LeBron land in 2010? The three front-runners right now have to be the Cavs, Knicks and Nets (only if they move to Brooklyn) in that order. Beyond those three teams I have no idea. Could Miami go after LeBron if Wade leaves or maybe even if Wade stays? I wouldn’t count on it. Lebron wants to be a billion dollar athlete and that kind of money can’t be made in many NBA cities.

It will be interesting now that Russion billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov is taking over the majority ownership of the Nets. If Prokhorov can get the Nets to Brooklyn then the Knicks and Nets may be in a dead heat for Lebron behind Cleveland because money won’t be an issue anymore for the Nets. Prokhorov’s pockets are deeper than cablevision’s. The Nets also have Jay-Z to help lure Lebron in. Donnie Walsh must be scared to death that Prokhorov is taking over the Nets. Without Prokhorov, the Nets chances of moving to Brooklyn are slim and their chances of getting LeBron are none. Prokhorov’s presence with the Nets not only changes the landscape in New York area basketball but changes the landscape in the entire NBA.

My gut feeling tells me LeBron will say goodbye to Cleveland and head to the big apple. If the Nets move to Brooklyn, It’s a toss-up which team he’ll go to. The Brooklyn Nets would be very enticing. If the Nets can’t get to Brooklyn then I believe we’ll be seeing LBJ at MSG for years to come.