With some of the biggest names in the sport available to pick and choose their next destinations, the summer of 2010 figures to be one that will dictate which franchises will be NBA powerhouses over the coming decade.

Given the significance of the decisions to be made, the top free agents – including LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh – are planning to meet and discuss their plans surrounding free agency.  The free-agent season actually commences beginning July 1, and six-time All-Star Dwayne Wade announced that the meeting will take place prior to that date:

“I don’t know the date. LeBron went through a very tough loss, so you’ve got to give guys time to get over things and get their schedules clear. But before July 1 we’ll know what we’re going to do and hopefully it’s somewhere quiet.”

“I’m sure a lot of us, when you sit down and everybody puts a list together of opportunities they have, I’m sure a lot of us have a couple of the same opportunities, the same teams they’re looking at. So I’m sure there’s going to be discussion.”

A story coming from the Chicago Tribune added a little more spice to this gumbo, with this piece where Wade apparently questioned the loyalty of the Bulls organization:

“I think the biggest question that you think about has to be loyalty. I know one thing about Miami: It is a very loyal organization. I see what they do with their players when their players get done with the game of basketball … how loyal they are. I don’t know about the Bulls.”

“I see Michael Jordan is not there, Scottie Pippen is not there. … You know, these guys are not a part. Things like that. So that is probably one of the biggest things for me, because I am a very loyal person.”

But then after realizing that he wasn’t an authority on the subject (regarding what Jordan and Pippen aspired to do after their careers), he quickly backtracked on his initial ramblings:

“I’m not taking shots at the Bulls, and the organization. I respect the organization, I respect every organization in the NBA. It’s just that my opinion when the question was asked about what’s most important to you, I said one of the most important things is loyalty. It’s not that I’m taking shots at the Bulls, or I’m taking shots at any organization.”

Outside of the All-Star Game, would these two mega-stars consider playing on the same team?

Either way, it doesn’t sound like the Chicago native will be headed back home to play for the team that he’s not taking shots at.

There are a host of other potential stars who may also throw their names into the pot, specifically Carlos Boozer, Amar’e Stoudamire and Dirk Nowitzki just to highlight a few.

Some may argue that this is not beneficial to the overall development of the league…but really, who cares?

This off-season is about the choices that these young men are going to have to live with for years to come.  A little politicking with their constituents is essential and should be expected to ensure that these elite players are happy with their final selections.  From a franchise-based perspective, there’s nothing worse than having a super-talented, but non-motivated player on your roster.  This whole process should prevent that from occurring.

On the flip side, players need to understand all aspects of their organization – along with the impacts that other players may have on their individual situation or potential for greater success.

And whether he realizes it or not, Wade has just become the 2010 official spokesperson of NBA free agency.

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