LITTLE ROCK — It takes more than just one King to make a free agency class elite.
LeBron James is the prized piece of this year’s group, but he’s not even the only NBA MVP who will be on the market. Some fellow Olympians are joining James, and maybe together they will chase a ring to go with their gold.
Free agency opens at midnight Eastern on Thursday, offering what is widely considered the greatest group that’s ever been available. Teams have been clearing payroll for years just so they’d be in position to offer maximum salary contracts to one or more players.
James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are at the head of the class, and two or more of them could wind up playing together.
Not to worry. There is plenty more out there.
At least one of Boston’s Big Three will be available, and speaking of big, so will Shaquille O’Neal. There are All-Star options everywhere on a list that got even deeper Tuesday with news Dirk Nowitzki would opt for free agency.
Some players are bargains, others will break the bank.
Here’s some of what teams will be looking at when they start their shopping.
HEAD OF THE CLASS LEBRON JAMES
(Cavaliers): One of the most coveted free agents sports has ever seen. The two-time NBA MVP would crush the spirits of fans throughout his native Ohio if he left Cleveland, and he’s going to get plenty of intriguing opportunities to do so.
DWYANE WADE
(Heat): Has bounced back in a big way from a couple of injury shortened seasons, returning in dominant form at the 2008 Olympics and not slowing down since. He seems most likely among the big free agents to stay put as long as Miami brings in some help, which it is in great position to do.
CHRIS BOSH
(Raptors): He seems set to be a nice addition to a team next season. Even General Manager Bryan Colangelo has admitted his power forward likely will leave Toronto, so the Raptors will consider sign-and-trade options. Both James and Wade would like Bosh to join them - unless all three end up together.
MAYBE THE MAX
These guys might view themselves as worth maximum value deals, but the market might say otherwise.
AMARE STOUDEMIRE
(Suns): A big-time scorer who is only 27 and whose averages of 26.4 points and 9.8 rebounds after Feb. 1 trumped Bosh’s 23.8 and 9.6, according to STATS LLC. But with two knee surgeries among his history, he could be viewed as a risk.
JOE JOHNSON
(Hawks): Atlanta could offer the former Arkansas Razorbacks standout from Little Rock Central a max deal, but the Hawks’ competition likely views the All-Star shooting guard as a No. 2 piece, especially after he managed just 12.8 points per game on 30 percent shooting in a dreadful second-round sweep by Orlando.
CARLOS BOOZER
(Jazz): The two-time Olympian is ferocious around the basket and a double-double threat every night. But he might suffer in comparisons next to Bosh and Stoudemire.
CHEAPER CHOICES
These guys lack the accomplishments of the studs atop the class, but they seem on their way.
RUDY GAY
(Grizzlies): He’s added a decent perimeter shot to go along his superior athleticism and fell just shy of averaging 20 points for the second time in three years. Memphis can match an offer, but the Grizzlies aren’t known as big spenders.
DAVID LEE
(Knicks): New York finally had an All-Star again and now is prepared to lose him if it can sign two of the max players. One of the league’s best rebounders has become a very good outside shooter for a big man. He certainly would benefit from a move back to his natural power forward spot after being forced to play as an undersized center with the Knicks.
JOHN SALMONS
(Bucks): An underrated shooting guard whose scoring was a key in playoff pushes for Chicago in 2009 and Milwaukee last year. If the Hawks lose Johnson, there is speculation they’d look into Salmons.
WOULD THEY REALLY LEAVE?
These guys can become free agents, but it’s hard to imagine them moving on.
DIRK NOWITZKI
(Mavs): The former NBA MVP is using the early termination option in his contract, but owner Mark Cuban always has been willing to spend on a contender.
PAUL PIERCE
(Celtics): Pierce can terminate a contract that would pay him $21.5 million next season. But the Celtics certainly would resign the 2008 NBA finals MVP, who would risk going down among the Boston greats if he left.
THEY HAVE A SHOT
Teams in need of outside shooting.
RAY ALLEN
(Celtics): He wants to stay in Boston, and Coach Doc Rivers has said he hopes Boston will re-sign him. But it’d likely require a big pay cut from this season’s $19.8 million salary, and Allen might find there are more teams with cash to spend who might be willing to give him more than the Celtics.
J.J. REDICK
(Magic): He might never be the scorer he was at Duke, but his shot is still great, and his ball-handling and defense have greatly improved. He’s a restricted free agent, so Orlando can match any offer for him.
LOOKING AT LAKERS
The point guards of the NBA champions are on the market, and one seems eager to move on.
DEREK FISHER
(Lakers): The veteran guard out of UALR and Little Rock Parkview has been a part of all five title teams since 2000 and always seems to come up with a big shot or two at some point in the postseason. The Lakers will want to keep Kobe Bryant’s good friend in Los Angeles.
JORDAN FARMAR
(Lakers): Fisher’s backup said after the season he’s ready to seek a bigger role after spending the past four years as a reserve in Los Angeles, adding he doesn’t fit well in the triangle offense.
Sports, Pages 21 on 06/30/2010