Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade teamed up to win a gold medal for the US in the Beijing Olympics and now they have decided to play alongside each other with the Miami Heat, American media has reported. Still uncertain is where another all-star free agent, LeBron James, will end up. James is reportedly ready to announce his decision on American sports broadcaster ESPN Thursday evening, the first day of NBA free-agent signings. Bosh was not the only high-profile player on the move now that the signing season has begun as Carlos Boozer reportedly has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bulls. But one player that likely won't be changing uniforms is Boston's Ray Allen who has decided to remain with the Celtics and take another run at an NBA title. Nothing is official but the 26-year-old Bosh and Wade both expressed a desire Wednesday to join forces in Miami. “We've wanted to play with each other and we have a golden opportunity to do that. We're going to take advantage of it,” Bosh told ESPN. Wade, the 2006 NBA finals MVP, added: “Now we can get on the pace of building a championship.” The Heat's gain could be a loss for the Toronto Raptors where Bosh has played for the past seven seasons. If the deal becomes official Bosh could sign outright with Miami or arrive in Florida via a sign-and-trade agreement. The moratorium on signing free agents expires Thursday for NBA clubs. “I have nothing official from anyone,” Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo said. Miami President Pat Riley said they have been talking to Bosh and he was hopeful of landing the dynamic duo. Two-time all-star forward Boozer reportedly agreed to a deal to leave the Utah Jazz after six seasons and take a five-year deal with the Bulls. The Chicago Tribune cited a source saying the Bulls would still have enough room to offer a maximum salary contract to another free agent. Boozer averaged 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds last season. His arrival gives the Bulls a formidable pair in the frontcourt with Joakim Noah. Allen reportedly has agreed to a two-year, 20 million dollar contract to return to Boston. With Kevin Garnett under contract, Paul Pierce on the verge of a new contract and coach Doc Rivers also agreeing to come back, the Celtics can keep together the core of the team that took the champion Lakers to seven games in the NBA Finals. Allen averaged 16.3 points last season as the Celtics reached the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. The biggest drama surrounds James who is keeping everyone guessing. “I'll be watching,” said Wade of James' highly-anticipated announcement. Cleveland superstar James will announce his plans in a one-hour special on ESPN. Salary cap rises slightly The National Basketball Association's salary cap for the 2010-11 season has been set at $58.044 million, the league said Wednesday. The tax level has been set at $70.307 million, meaning that any team whose combined salary exceeds that figure will pay a $1 tax for each dollar over the limit. The disparity between the two figures is to allow teams to meet salary exceptions that may see them exceed the cap. During the 2009-10 season, the salary cap was $57.70 million and the tax level was $69.92 million. The new salary cap and tax level go into effect at 0401 GMT Thursday, when the NBA's “moratorium period” concludes and teams can begin signing free agents. The minimum team salary, which is 75 percent of the salary cap, is $43.533 million.
