Free Agents in the NBA; a topic much overshadowed by the top free agent in the NBA, LeBron James, and all of the much-anticipated, much-publicized speculation that went into his signing with the Miami Heat. So, in case you missed it, allow us to recap what has gone down so far. Below are the notable free agent names that were thrown around sports world with either expiring contracts at the end of 2009, 2010, 2011, all of which could opt out if they chose to.

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IN THE BEGINNING…

The Decision- This is what LeBron James and his camp dubbed his major free agency announcement. Glorious to Miami fans, infamous and notorious to those who were opposed to it (coughCLEVELANDcough). Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh all inked six-year max deals with the Miami Heat. Wade signed for $107 million and both Bosh and James signed for $110 million. Leaving over $40 million on the table between the three.

Joe Johnson- Re-signed with the Hawks for six-year/$123.7 million (Signed a max contract.). Re-signing Johnson allows the Hawks to stay in contention in the star-studded Eastern Conference. Along with Josh Smith and Al Horford, this is a team to watch out for come playoff time.

The next couple of players are from the Boston Celtics, giving way to make another run at the finals by re-signing:

Ray Allen- Re-signed with the Celtics for two years/$20 million.

Paul Pierce- He was a max player that opted out. Pierce will forfeit next season’s $21.5 million salary but became eligible to sign a new four-year deal with the Celtics worth a maximum of $96 million and could receive four-year offers from other teams worth a maximum $93 million. He eventually re-signed with the Celtics for four years/$61 million; signed for less money and less years. He left $30 million on the table. Guess where $20 million of those $30 million went…?

New comer Jermaine O’Neal- Signed with Celtics for two years/ $5.8 million. Bye, bye Baby Face! This gives them a veteran player that will be in essence replacing Kendrick Perkins, who tore his ACL in the finals this past June and will be out for most, if not the entire, 2010 season.

More free agents:

Mike Miller- Free agent, currently in talks with the Heat; to be continued. (Cross your fingers.)

Yao Ming- Says he is staying with the Rockets for his final year of a five-year deal. They have a good group of guys in Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks. With Yao back in the lineup (He had foot surgery last season.), it should make them a stronger contender in the West, at least.

Amare Stoudamire- Left Phoenix for the Knicks, inking a five-year/ $100 million contract. Stoudamire is a max player that commanded a six-year deal worth about $127 million if he decided to stay with the Suns. He wasn’t staying in Phoenix due to the disagreements between him and management. Now with the Knicks and with no other players to compliment his game, (Oh, wait…he doesn’t play defense either…) never mind.

David Lee- Great young player out of the University of Florida that was by far the Knicks’ best player. He took a sign-and-trade deal and left to the Golden State Warriors. Anthony Randolph and two others were sent to the New York Knicks for Lee who gets a six-year/ $80 million deal. I see this 20/10 (20 points/10 rebounds per night) man getting lost in the horrid organization of the Bay area. But there are some upsides there with Monte Ellis and Stephen Curry. It’s a run-and-gun offense with NO defense. You decide for yourself.

Dirk Nowitzki- Re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks for four years/ $80 million. He is also a max player who could have made $96 million. This allowed the Mavs to re-sign Brendan Haywood at their center position and with Caron Butler, this should make for another great season ending in disappointment in the playoffs… sorry Mavs, the curse continues.

Carlos Boozer- Left Utah and signed with Bulls for five years/ $75-$80 million. This automatically boosts the Bulls’ roster, making them automatic contenders and favorites in the Eastern Conference. They already have steady point guard play in Derrick Rose, an inside presence with rebounding and blocks in Joakim Noah, and Luol Deng on the wing. I’m not going to front, they have a nice squad.

Derrick Fisher- Currently in talks with re-signing with the Lakers. Miami however, is trying to land the veteran point guard to join the Three Kings in the 305. Another wait-and-see player.

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Now you are up to date with the happenings in the NBA free agency. What say you, NBA fans? Are you for the season to begin? Are you ready for the playoffs? ARE YOU READY?