If there is one person that screams investigative sports journalism, it is definitely Jalen Rose...

Interesting part is the Bulls|Heat|Clips (ie, no Knicks or Nets).

Rose prolly still hates the Knicks from that time Ewing chased him around the court.

I'll take positive news that he's leaving Cleveland, which in my mind is still the front runner, but this is Jalen Rose we're talking about. Then again, I probably wouldn't believe anything Ric Bucher or Chad Ford say either because they throw out all kinds of rumors that never happen.

I won't likely believe anything until July 8th or the night of June 30th at the earliest.

Interesting part is the Bulls|Heat|Clips (ie, no Knicks or Nets).

Rose prolly still hates the Knicks from that time Ewing chased him around the court.

Pistons?

The way I see it if he opts out on June 30th then he isn't coming back. Why else would he lose more money if he is going to stay anyway? Signing an extension for the deal he already has will bring him even more money. Opting out IMO is a sign that he is gone.

I won't likely believe anything until July 8th or the night of June 30th at the earliest.

I think we'll know even before that. It's not like a whole lot is going to change between now and then between him and the Cavs. He knows what is there and if he wants to stay. If he really wanted to stay he'd be acting like Wade and telling anyone who will listen that he's staying and others should come here and win a title. Instead, we've got almost every rumor claiming somewhere else but Cleveland. I don't think on June 29th that he'll suddenly say "Let's stay in Cleveland!". He at least knows that he's gone from there. The only question is where else he's going to go.

I think we'll know even before that. It's not like a whole lot is going to change between now and then between him and the Cavs. He knows what is there and if he wants to stay. If he really wanted to stay he'd be acting like Wade and telling anyone who will listen that he's staying and others should come here and win a title. Instead, we've got almost every rumor claiming somewhere else but Cleveland. I don't think on June 29th that he'll suddenly say "Let's stay in Cleveland!". He at least knows that he's gone from there. The only question is where else he's going to go.

What is significant about July 8th?

Well with another move or two, the Heat might be able to clear enough for THREE max contracts. That could certainly change things.

Can they accomplish that, and is one of those 3 spots reserved for Wade?

Maybe LeBron's thinking that this next team won't be his last team, or even a long-term thing.

That is, considering that all of Ohio is going to be butthurt by James leaving, James goes to some place like Miami for a couple seasons (one of which is likely to be canceled due to the lockout anyhow) and then after Cleveland gets over it a bit, he lands in Chicago or New York or somewhere more to his long-term preference.

Among the teams that he might possibly go to, the Heat have the best chance to contend in the 2010-2011 season. The Heat sign James to a 2 year deal, along with Bosch or Boozer or even Dirk, to play alongside Wade and then Riley returns to coach one more time and LeBron gets a quick ring and then he has that monkey off his back.

Even with the addition of LeBron, it's unlikely the Bulls contend next season or two.

The teams that make it to the Finals nowadays are all-star teams with experience and depth.

Adding 1 guy to the current Bulls lineup is not going to make the Bulls competitive with those teams in a 7 game series.

You can forget about LeBron or any of these guys signing a 2 year deal. Only deals they will sign will either be for 5 or 6 years. Nothing less.

I think it's possible LBJ signs a 3-year deal to stay in Cleveland.

Did they play Yackety Sax during the chase?

The CBA will be negotiated between current owners and current players. Any time a union renegotiates a union contract due to the employer's declining economic position (NBA franchises are hemorrhaging money) the current employees shift all the cuts to pay/pensions/benefits to future union workers. Maybe you'll see the NBA implement a rigid salary scale for incoming rookies and younger players.

I doubt they're going to cut current NBA superstar players ability to make as much as they can at all.