LeBron James' decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers set the so-far delayed free agency train in motion. The second-tier free agents will finally start seeing the offers pour in, and it begins with James' old Miami Heat teammates.
What happens to the rest of the Big 3?
Bosh's Decision
Bosh's Decision
Chris Bosh still must decide whether to return to the Heat or leave for the Houston Rockets, but it would seem that he's heavily leaning toward following James' lead and returning home to Texas. The Rockets still haven't shipped out center Omer Asik, though the trade is already agreed upon with the New Orleans Pelicans. Then they'll need to quickly work out a deal to shed the other big contract of Jeremy Lin. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, that's still a work in progress but the squad hopes to trade Lin by Sunday.
Dwyane Wade has a more interesting decision to make. He wasn't in negotiations to leave South Beach but now might be forced to look elsewhere as Miami's roster comes together. With only agreements to Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger, plus the return of Norris Cole, Heat president Pat Riley is left picking up the pieces. Can he -- and should he -- retain the aging Wade?
Teams get active with second-tier free agents
Houston expects to sign Bosh to a max deal and then use its remaining cap space after its two major trades to match the Dallas Mavericks' offer sheet to restricted free agent Chandler Parsons that is set for three years and $46 million, reports Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Interest in Parsons is widespread, but if the Rockets can hang on to him it'll clarify where a decent crop of small forwards can land.
Which small forwards does James' decision directly affect?
Trevor Ariza and Luol Deng have been heavily linked to the LeBron decision. Ariza could be retained by the Washington Wizards, but his price tag has grown throughout the last few weeks. He has been eyed as a Plan B solution for teams like the Miami Heat. If Parsons is truly out of the running to join the Mavericks, Ariza could be a second option there as well.
Replacing LeBron
Deng will also have his list of suitors clear up, and it appears the dark horse has been the Phoenix Suns, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger.
If Ariza doesn't return to Washington, there have been some discussions between Deng and the Wizards that could lead him there. He also reportedly met with the Heat and could be a second option for Dallas if it doesn't land Parsons or Ariza. The Lakers and Hawks would also be capable of signing Deng for close to $10 million per year -- both teams have the need as well.
Two players nobody is talking about
Eric Bledsoe and Lance Stephenson are the two free agents who haven't been a big part of the rumor mill. Stephenson reportedly wasn't thrilled with a five-year, $44 million contract offer from the Indiana Pacers and is exploring his options. His eccentric behavior might have teams slow to offer him big money, but teams that miss on Ariza, Deng and Parsons will at least give him a thought.
Bledsoe's future has been even less-chronicled, though it's expected the Phoenix Suns will match any offers for their restricted free agent. Bledsoe's agent, Rich Paul, has been deep into the negotiations involving James, and now he'll have more time to talk about his other client's future.