Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesDon't look now, but all of these cap-clearing moves by NBA teams at the trade deadline may prove to be much ado about nothing if the top tier free agents decide the grass isn't greener on the other side.In this case, the "grass" refers to money. Both are green, and despite what many NBA stars may tell you about their desire to win, it's the almighty dollar that usually dictates their future.Plus, most of them play in situations that wouldn't automatically be improved by moving to another team anyway.Is LeBron James, for example, assured of San Diego Chargers jersey
a title if he goes to New York? Likewise, Dwyane Wade if he moves to Chicago?Of course not. And that leaves only two other potential reasons for a player to change addresses this summer.One reason could be better marketing opportunities. But in the case of LeBron, he is The Man in Cleveland. Do the bright lights of the Big Apple guarantee more exposure?Ditto for Wade and some of the others. Sure, a guy like Joe Johnson may be able to get more exposure, but is he really one of the top-tiered players that teams think of when clearing cap space?The second reason is money, and none of the top players would be in a position to benefit financially if they move to another team, barring a sign-and-trade.Assuming they will be offered a max contract by their current teams, these players will be better off staying put.Sure, LeBron's expiring Nike contract may net more dollars if he goes to New York, but until the Bird clause kicks in, nobody can pay him more in straight salary than the Cavs can over the next three years.The Cavs can offer LeBron a six year contract, while New York (or any other team with cap space) can offer only five years. And since they would be offering the absolute max deal, Cleveland would not be able to renegotiate with LeBron during those five year.New York, if it signed LeBron San Francisco 49ers jersey
as a free agent, could extend his deal after three years and help make up the difference.So it seems that if anyone leaves, it could be LeBron, though again, I don't see it happening. Meanwhile, Wade isn't leaving Miami in my opinion.Still, teams like the Bulls continue to clear space. But Chicago's best hope may be Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, or Amare Stoudemire. Not bad, but not exactly LeBron, Wade, or Bosh.So this free agent class, much hyped and much bally-hooed over the past couple years, could turn out to be very disappointing.And where will that leave the teams who sold out to obtain these players?
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