Free Agent Update

I am sitting in the lobby of the historic Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, yet I have yet to run into either D-Wade or Chris Bosh, both of whom had meetings today in Chicago.  However, I did have one celebrity encounter, I sat a table away from Bronson Arroyo at Ditka's Steakhouse.  My Cincinnati Reds are winners of 9 of there last 11 games!!! Go Reds.  

Now to free agent news...

After meeting with members of the Bulls front office in Chicago today, prized free agent Dwayne Wade appears to be leaning towards signing with them.  This would throw a possible monkey wrench in the plans of Lebron coming to Chicago.

An offer has been put on the table between the parties of the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki.  The offer could be worth up to $96 million over 4 years.  

Lebron James appears to have two different options on the table from the New York Knicks.  He can either sign a max contract deal, which would leave the Knicks the ability to sign 1 more max contract free agent, OR, James could agree to a 5 year deal worth $11.5 million per season.

Amare Stoudemire is closing in on a deal with the New York Knicks worth $100 million over 5 years.  This would be the third maximum contract offered during this free agent period (the first from Atlanta to Joe Johnson, the second being from NY to Lebron.)  

John Salmons has agreed to a 5 year deal worth $39 million with the Milwaukee Bucks.