All-Stars Leading This Years NBA Offseason Shake-Up

USA Today/Sports Pics

This year's offseason is setting itself up to be one for the ages, and with all of the All-Stars up for grabs the shake-up will have a long-term effect on the future of the NBA.

In what will be the most talked about headline during these next few weeks of the offseason, the LeBron James sweepstakes is now under way. The offers won't start rolling in until July 1st when free agency officially begins. And with James opting out of his current contract, plenty of teams are planning out paths on how to land the superstar.

Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love are another pair of superstars who will get their fair share of the media's attention this summer but will be on the back-burner until LeBron makes his decision.

All this news is buzzing throughout the country and we haven't made it to one of the deepest drafts since the 2003 class. That draft class featured multiple players who just so happened to be free agents this summer; LeBron, Melo, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh.

LeBron James will be the big domino this offseason, of course that's what happens when you are the best player in the NBA. Once James makes his decision, whether to stay in Miami or to takes his talents elsewhere, then we can expect the rest of the free agents to fall into place.

LeBron's most likely scenario will have him back in Miami, with a much richer contract and probably without one of Miami's current Big Three, unless Wade decides to take on a limited role for less money because of his recent demise due to injuries.

Returning to Cleveland is another option for James, which is what I would suggest if I was one of the people in James ear this time around. The Cavs may have a little bit of bigger hill to overcome in order to get their homegrown kid back. That hill is made up of Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert, and the now infamous "Open Letter" he wrote towards James after he left for South Beach.

You can basically consider every team in the NBA on the LeBron waiting list. Even teams who don't have the money or roster for James will still do their due diligence because when the best basketball player is available you at least have to ask.

The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers are both reportedly mulling trade offers so that they could acquire a duo of James and Melo.

The Los Angeles Lakers have already begun making calls to snag a couple superstars this offseason and are hoping to trade their #7 overall pick in this year’s draft along with Steve Nash's expiring contract so they could offer two superstars a $16 million contract.

The Lakers aren't the only franchise in LA that is looking to grab some talent, the Clippers are also exploring options for landing LeBron, as is the Houston Rockets.

The Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes has been put on hold for a few franchises until LeBron makes a decision. Some teams who have no shot in snagging LeBron are in the most opportune time to try and make a tough push for Anthony's services. If I was Melo I would try and make my way out to the Windy City, but they will probably be more focused on making a push for James and may miss out if another franchise like the Knicks are able to give Melo their undivided attention and retain their biggest star since the 90's.

Kevin Love is another guy that will receive his fair share of attention this offseason. Love is still under contract with the Timberwolves, but he has let it be known that he wants out of the twin cities. The Golden State Warriors are making the strongest push for Love, but in order to land the All Star they will need to give up 1/2 of their "Splash Brothers" Klay Thompson. Love's future, as it stands, is in the hands of Minnesota Timberwolves and with the Boston Celtics offering a slew of draft picks, the Wolves could begin a team teardown and take them up on their offer.

The moves will start to fall into place starting Thursday evening when the NBA Draft is broadcast on ESPN starting at 4:30pm PT. Expect a lot of movement to take place over these next few weeks of the offseason as teams set up for a free agency frenzy and shake the entire NBA up when it’s all said and done.