We already know that the free agent class of 2010 is going to be ripe with talent. But Dwyane Wade doesn’t necessarily want to be a part of it. He told Yahoo! Sports that he’s willing to stay in Miami, but he wants to make sure that he has enough players around him to get the Heat back to another NBA Championship.

“I’m 28 years old and I’m all about winning,” Wade said on Yahoo! Sports.com. “I have to make sure that we are about winning as a franchise. I’m not saying anything other than we need to continue to beef the team up. I love my teammates. We have some great things going. But we need more. I just want to make sure we get that.”

In other words, the Heat execs can use the free agent market to sign key players instead of losing Wade to another team that already has key players in place. The Heat certainly have enough money to sign him for an extended contract, but it’s how they use the leftover money that will matter the most. With Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and a handful of other talented free agents available this summer, the Heat will have plenty of players to choose from.

Don’t be surprised if Wade waits to sign a contract extension until he knows who else is coming to Miami. I fully believe that if they aren’t up to his standards, he won’t sign with the Heat — guaranteed.

Enjoy these Dwyane Wade highlights, courtesy of YouTube:

Post from: EveryJoe

Dwyane Wants To Stay In Miami

Basically, “mum” is the word. And it’s probably the word because LeBron doesn’t want to admit that he’s ready to move on — championship or not.

LeBron James still hasn't given Cleveland an answer about a possible contract extension past the 2009-2010 season.

Cleveland may have signed Shaq in part to entice LeBron to stay with the team longer than he had planned. If the King’s recent statements regarding the situation are any indication, I don’t think Shaq is going to make much of an impact on his decision.

“I signed a contract in 2006 with an option,” he said, according to Yahoo! Sports. “It would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn’t keep my options open. I’ll let you fill in the blanks.”

LeBron James will be playing basketball for ________ in 2010.

I think I’ll fill “New York” in that blank and see what happens. What about you?

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

LeBron May Not Stay In Cleveland

An indefinite suspension for Burress and Vick would likely keep both players from participating in the 2009 NFL season. Although the move by Goodell would be somewhat surprising, it would align with his goal of cleaning up the league’s image.

Vick was recently released from prison but hasn’t yet served a suspension from the NFL. If his indefinite suspension continues, the earliest he would likely see the field against is the 2010 NFL season.

Burress is facing gun charges and has thus far refused to take a plea bargain. The talented wide receiver has a number of teams interested in his services but this latest news makes it sound like he won’t be available for this forthcoming year.

Roger Goodell - NFL Commissioner (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Indefinite Suspensions for Burress, Vick?

Tim Floyd resigned on Tuesday, perhaps due to speculation about NCAA recruiting violations concerning former player, OJ Mayo.

I know that you are innocent until proven guilty, but when you bow out like this it only makes everyone think that you are guilty. According to Rivals.com, “Floyd didn’t address the allegation in his letter to USC athletic director Mike Garrett, which was obtained by the Clarion-Ledger and also released by USC in a statement.”

In the letter, Floyd said he was resigning due to lack of enthusiasm. I find that hard to believe. He has only been USC’s head coach for four seasons. Maybe he was forced to resign, or maybe he felt that the Yahoo! Sports report about the alleged allegations had tainted his career at USC. Whatever the real reason is doesn’t matter. Floyd’s coaching career will be tainted no matter where he goes.

USC, meanwhile, is now dealing with two separate investigations into the school’s football and basketball programs.

“The University is cooperating fully in the continuing investigation with the NCAA and Pac-10 into all allegations of NCAA and Pac-10 rules violations at USC,” USC vice president Todd Dickey said in a statement Tuesday. “The university, the NCAA and Pac-10 have jointly conducted interviews of approximately 50 witnesses. No conclusions have yet been reached. … At this point, it would be both inappropriate and premature to comment further.”

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with Dickey. Conclusions by the media and the general public have already been reached. And they aren’t good.

Photo: Zuma

Post from: EveryJoe

Tim Floyd Resigns From USC

The Associated Press is reporting today that the reason Arizona coach Lute Olson suddenly announced his retirement last week was because his doctors advised him to do so after Olson suffered a stoke in the last year.

You can read the whole story here via Rivals.com and Yahoo Sports.

I never bought that “I wanted to spend more time with my family” excuse to begin with.

And now back to our regularly scheduled conference previews.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Real Reason Lute Olson Retired