Reason 1: The Money

Quite frankly, if it was only about the NBA contract, LeBron would have resigned with Cleveland and taken the extra tens of millions of dollars. But it isn’t nearly about the tens of millions for playing in the NBA – it is the additional hundreds of millions (or more) in endorsements, other marketing and other deals. So to that end, what can make LeBron the most money overall? Endorsements, business deals and “branching out” to set himself up as a global icon. Much of this revolves around the money and some revolves around the fame – which I’ll get into in a minute.

New York would make the most sense just looking at the opportunity to make money outside of endorsements, even though a name as big as LeBron’s would make tons of money either way – especially if he were to sign with Chicago. But the “Russian Mark Cuban”, as the Nets new owner has been called is a multi multi billionaire and can make LeBron a billionaire with the various business deals he is involved in. Jay-Z (who LeBron loves) can do the same.

Reason 2: The Fame

Yes, LeBron is the biggest or one of the biggest names in the NBA, and yes, everyone is waiting to see where he goes. But Prokhorov and Jay-Z can make LeBron an international icon – not just here in the US. I don’t think that any other team or owner can do that; outside of what LeBron can otherwise do for himself. Granted, this isn’t the 2nd most important reason, but it is a reason.

Reason 3: The Players and Coach

While the Bulls probably offer the best supporting cast right now, that may change in a few years (see below). The Knicks have an intriguing pair of players in Danilo Gallinari and (if he stays) David Lee as well as cap space next year for someone like Carmelo Anthony or another big name. The Cavaliers can add another piece or two as they have a very solid core and can add pieces as LeBron sees fit. And the Nets have Brook Lopez (one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference), Devin Harris and a top 3 draft choice, plus a ton of cap space as well.

On the coaching side, Avery Johnson is a very respected coach and makes the Nets attractive. D’Antoni is more of a plus but has one nagging question that most will never know the answer to, and the Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau is a new coach for the Bulls but pretty respected in terms of defense.

Reason 4: The Owner

With respect to the Bulls, in a couple of years, they have to pony up for big time contracts for Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose. Knowing that Bulls owner Reinsdorf is a bastard and has shown in the past (post-Jordan/Pippen) to trade big name players instead of paying out the big contracts. Now that may change with LeBron, but who knows.

As for the Knicks, let’s just leave it as Dolan is a moron.

Cleveland’s situation is a mess, although LeBron could probably get the owner to do whatever he wants.

The Nets have an owner who would spend countless millions on marketing alone, let alone putting a winner on the court year in and year out. For example, someone I work with told me earlier today that the Nets put a huge banner up across the street Madison Square Garden with Jay-Z and Prokhorov’s faces on it – right in the Knicks’ backyard. There is little doubt that he would be like Cuban and Steinbrenner when it comes to dedication to consistent winning. Oh yeah, and Jay-Z is a minority owner as well.

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So of course, there are things in favor of LeBron signing with the Bulls, the Knicks, the Nets and the Cavs – and there may even be other teams in the mix (like Miami but I don’t think that happens for many many reasons). But all in all, the Nets give LeBron the bright lights and big city of NY (and Brooklyn is his favorite Borough), the worldwide fame, the billions in annual income, a solid core, a good coach and a chance at multiple titles.

And with the free agent period due to start in a week, the “where will they go” stories will certainly be plentiful. But one thing that is getting a lot LESS exposure is the 2011 free agent class – one that may not have the biggest of the big names, but certainly Carmelo Anthony, Tony Parker, David West and Kevin Durant are substantial prizes for whatever team can sign or resign them.

One of the biggest mistakes that a team can do (and I fully expect the Knicks to do this as they have proven to be so adept as screwing up over the past decade, making it all but impossible for a fan like myself to stay excited) is spend money just because they have it. On this end, only Wade and Bosh are the game changers, while Boozer, Johnson and Stoudemire are excellent players but aren’t the number one player on a championship team. If the Knicks let David Lee go (one of the most underrated great players in the NBA), only to sign Stoudemire and Johnson (or even Bosh and Johnson), that could be a huge mistake. Why not sign Bosh, keep Lee, trade for a Tony Parker and make a run next year at one of the other big name FAs? But this is the Knicks we are talking about.

I still think that LeBron and Wade stay put. Even though there are compelling arguments for LeBron to go to the Bulls, I’m not sure why he would want to forego all of the millions and the adulation of his hometown to live in the constant shadow of Michael Jordan – a city where “only” 3 titles would be a failure. What makes more sense, and of course the front office upheaval throws a bit of a wrench into this, would be for LeBron to resign with Cleveland, let their 7 unrestricted free agents walk next year and either sign Tony Parker (if he isn’t traded before then) or another point guard to take some pressure off, and get another big man (who isn’t as slow as Shaq) up front. Bonus read: Simmons on LeBron’s decision of “winning, loyalty or immortality”.

Over all, a team like the Nets may be in the best position long term, although the Bulls have tons of cap room and a great core. With Brook Lopez as a budding superstar, a new owner, the third pick tonight, a new arena and gobs of cap money as well, why not take this 2-year approach and put together a deep and stacked team?

My guess, the Knicks crap out with 2 more max deals that don’t make sense (unless Bosh is one of them), LeBron and Wade stay put. Just because there is money to burn doesn’t mean it all has to be spend this year. A bad contract can set back a team for years (just see the Knicks once again). But then again, this is why it will be the NBA’s silly season.