The NBA's free agency period has opened, with LeBron James leading perhaps the deepest group of players to ever hit the open market. Teams could begin making their pitches at 0400 GMT Thursday, and some were getting started quickly. Atlanta's Joe Johnson was expecting early visits in Los Angeles from the Hawks and New York Knicks, with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting that the Hawks were prepared to offer the All-Star shooting guard a maximum salary contract. Things get interesting later Thursday, when the New Jersey Nets and Knicks are scheduled for visits to Ohio to meet with James, the two-time MVP who heads the class. It includes other All-Stars such as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer; veterans such as Shaquille O'Neal and Ray Allen; and young up-and-comers such as Rudy Gay and David Lee. “We've never had anything like this in my time that I can remember,” New Jersey Nets president Rod Thorn said. “There have been big-time free agents before, but never this many teams that are trying to woo them. So it's unprecedented.” Teams were headed around the country to meet with players, though the Mavs were saved a long trip when Nowitzki informed them he would meet with them Thursday in Dallas - with the message arriving while president Donnie Nelson was at the airport preparing for a flight to Germany. Showing they planned to be active, the Knicks confirmed on Twitter they would also meet with Wizards swingman Mike Miller in Los Angeles. But they would do so without team president Donnie Walsh, who went directly to Ohio in preparation for Thursday's meeting with James. Pat Riley and a Miami Heat contingent also began their free agency tour in California, where teams were hoping to meet with Stoudemire. It promised to be a wild first few days of July, with plans changing by the minute. “You're not in control, as much as you would like to be,” Timberwolves President David Kahn said. “I don't think any team feels right now they're in control of the situation. There's too many teams with room. Too many fine players out there. I think in those types of situations, it's best to be really nimble and change course if need be.” Kahn said early Thursday that Gay would visit Minnesota later in the day and Lee would arrive Saturday. Gay is a restricted free agent, so Memphis can match any offer for him. Talk of James' destination seems to change by the minute, considered a lock for Chicago in one report, then seemingly guaranteed to head to Miami in another. Bottom line: James can get perhaps $125 million over six years by staying in Cleveland; $96 million over five years if he goes. (The exact figures can't be determined until next season's salary cap is set in July). But leaving could put him in a better position to win a championship. Top players rarely leave via free agency because NBA rules allow their teams to offer them more money in the long run. The difference comes not in the first year of a new contract, but in the raises. A player signing with his own team is eligible for annual increases of 10.5 percent, while a new team can offer only 8 percent bumps. The home team can also offer six-year deals, whereas players joining new teams can get only five-year contracts. Deals can be agreed to but can't be signed until July 8. The process often goes quickly, but with so many potential good options, James might want to take his time.
