The NBA season is not even through the new year yet and already many in the media are looking to the summer of 2014 when some big names can become free agents and with Kobe Bryant signing a two year extension with the Lakers, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Chandler Parsons, Andrew Bogut and Greg Monroe now are some of the top names that could be on the market next summer.
Some of the players mentioned are restricted free agents, while some are unrestricted and others have opt outs and team options, but let's not worry about that right now and let's just look at who has the potential to be out there as the top names for teams. Everyone assumes that Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James will opt out of their deals to become free agents and while many expect both stars to remain in their respective cities, the fact that Kobe is off the market makes things interesting. One thing it likely means is that James and Anthony are not going to Los Angeles, as they will have too much money on the cap now with Bryant, opening the door for other teams like the Knicks, Chicago Bulls and others to go after them.
James appears happy and content in Miami and depending on how this season goes, it is likely that he will stay. Anthony has made it clear he would like to become a free agent and while the Knicks are a front runner, the way they have played this season has brought up questions and fears about the future and it is in the realm of possibility that Anthony could bounce when he becomes a free agent for the very first time. James has an opt out and that is what would make him a free agent and he will still not even be 30 when the deal is done and that likely means a nice new contract from Miami and they likely will go after names like Andrew Bogut and Monroe if they make it onto the market.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will be free agents and while it's likely that both will stay, chances are they will need to take pay cuts as they get older and James establishes himself even farther away talent wise from the two of them. Dirk has an interesting decision ahead, as he has played for the Mavs his entire career and he has said that he will not do an in-season extension like Bryant, meaning he possibly could leave as a free agent, as he did finally bring a championship to Dallas, beating Miami a couple years ago.
Bryant shakes up the class with his deal, which is for two years and nearly $50 million and makes him the highest paid player during that time and while it's expensive, the Lakers wanted to ensure they kept Bryant and clearly they did that with this deal. The Lakers have money tied up in him and Steve Nash, but so much money is coming off the books, including Gasol, that the Lakers could be a player come next offseason.