by Timmy Duncan

Created on: June 30, 2010   Last Updated: July 01, 2010

If the NBA had a 'Most Wanted' list, Lebron James would certainly be listed in the number one spot. Not since Michael Jordan has a player come along who captured the attention of anyone from the general managers of the NBA's most serious title contenders to the casual fan. When Lebron James signed his last contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was no accident that he would become a free agent at the same time as some of the other top players in the league. Now the question remains - will he remain loyal to his home town or will he team up with one of the other free agents on the market (like Chris Bosh or Dewyane Wade) and take the entire league by storm? His decision could profoundly affect the landscape of the league for the next several seasons.

Since Lebron James entered the NBA directly from high school, he never got to experience the courtship and campaigning that comes along with trying to convince the top talent to join a certain organization and some sources close to James say that he would like to experience that. He has since been courted by just about every city in the country with his native city recording their own version of 'Please Stay Lebron" to the tune of We Are the World.

For Lebron, it is probably not as much a question of being wooed by who can offer the most money or the best perks. To put it simply, the man just wants to win. He has all the million dollar endorsements he could ever want, what he doesn't have is championship rings. He will go to whomever convinces him that they are the most serious about winning the next five championships.

Of course, Cleveland can offer him the most money, but sources say that he is leaning towards signing in Chicago. The Chicago Bulls have cleared enough salary space to sign not only Lebron but another top free agent like Bosh or Wade as well. With promising young talent Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah already in place there, adding two major free agents could put the Chicago Bulls in a position to dominate the league for years to come.

James could also opt for major market like the New York Knicks. In New York, he would not only make himself a boat load of cash on endorsements, he would gain a tremendous amount of exposure. Similarly, the New Jersey Nets (close enough to New York for James to reap similar benefits) have recently been purchased by a billionaire who will spend whatever it takes to win a title.

James must ultimately decide what kinds of things are important to him and how he wants to be remembered. You couldn't write a better story than the hometown kid from Akron, Ohio making good and bringing a championship to a city starved for good news. But nobody could fault Lebron for choosing one of the other attractive options on the table. His decision over the next month or so will have a major impact on his legacy...no pressure.

Learn more about this author, Timmy Duncan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.