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msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Foos win 4 Grammys, overshadowed by Houston

A road map to what awaits for Class of 2010

Teams will be wise to read up on the Magic's past misfortunes

Image: Cleveland Cavalier LeBron JamesAP
Cavaliers foward LeBron James and the rest of the free agent class of 2010 has sparked the imagination of teams and fans around the NBA.

Dwyane Wade: The Heat guard has an opt-out from the $17 million in 2010-11 that otherwise would stand as the final season on his rookie contract extension.

He's not going anywhere ... as long as the Heat is back to competitiveness by then.

Why? Because we haven't exactly seen Wade struggling for nationwide marketing appeal from his Miami base.

Heck, he's on our TV even when the television is off.

Much of what makes Wade cool is the South Beach appeal.

And for those who insist on a potential return to his Chicago roots, Wade has spoken privately of concerns about playing in his hometown.

Chris Bosh: The Raptors forward has an opt-out from the $17 million in 2010-11 that otherwise would stand as the final season on his rookie contract extension.

There is a reason many have Bosh moving on in 2010. Apparently, he's playing in a foreign country.

OK, Canada, we know, we know. Toronto is as cosmopolitan as any city in North America. But the kid is from Dallas, already seems to be making more of a splash on YouTube than with his marketing machinations, and could join another Top 10 talent elsewhere.

As Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser say weeknights at 6 p.m., "Good night, Canada."

Special feature
Los Angeles Lakers v New York Knicks
Main attraction
A look at the highs and lows of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant's career.

NBCSports.com

Kobe Bryant: The Lakers guard has a complex contract that could see him get a jump on the Class of '10. Bryant can terminate his contract on June 30, 2009, with two years at $48 million total remaining, or can opt out from the $24.8 million he otherwise would earn in 2010-11.

Oh, he'll huff and he'll puff and he'll certainly blow the bank down. But with Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and even wacky Sasha Vujacic under contract through 2010-11, Bryant isn't going anywhere.

And if they have to move Staples Center somewhere closer to his Orange County home? Well, we're sure they can widen the 405 to accommodate the relocation.

Steve Nash: The Suns guard will be coming off a $13.1 million final contract season.

Face it, the Suns already aren't the Suns, and certainly won't be in 2010, when teammates Amare Stoudemire, Raja Bell and Shaquille O'Neal will be free agents.

It's just a hunch, but it seems every summer we're offered a few paparazzi takes of Nash relishing the streets of New York. And we believe that's where a certain beloved former coach now works.


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Image: Kobe Bryant
AP
Kobe's shot lifts Lakers

Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto

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Knicks, Lin still streaking
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and point guard Jeremy Lin discuss the team and Lin's recent success.

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Washington Wizards v Charlotte Bobcats
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Check out some of the dancers from the NBA.

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  Ask the NBA expert: Ira Winderman

Do you have a burning NBA question? Submit it now, and then check back for our reader mailbag.

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Who will be MVP?
Interactive: Rank each player on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 = best player, 0 = barely worthy of consideration).

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Image: Blake Griffin
  NBA All-Star starters
A look at the starting lineups for the East and West teams.

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