Why Don't The Ballers Want To Go To Cleveland?

I'll save time and answer that question first: because there's no garauntee that LeBron James will stay when his contract's up, and none of the prized free agents want to be stuck in Cleveland while James signs a big deal in a major market like New York.

Let's look at the recent list of free agent transactions (I don't count trades because only a few players have a say in the deal):

1. Ron Artest goes with Lakers (making one of Kobe Bryant's most tenacious opponents a teammate);
2. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva sign with Detriot (GM Joe Dumars' attempt to justify seasons worth of questionable moves);
3. After flirting with the Trailblazers, Hedo Tukoglu leans toward Toronto (adding some shooting to a team that has big man Chris Bosh and swing man Shawn Marion);
4. Trevor Ariza looks toward the Rockets (making up for even thinking he had leverage against the Lakers); and
5. Rasheed Wallace says he's headed to Boston ('nuff said).

Of all of these moves, Charley Rosen thinks that only the Celtics and Lakers got richer. But the biggest omission from this list of "contenders" is Cleveland. Other than an old Shaq (who was traded there) no one's really lining up to join the "witnesses." I thought LeBron James ascendancy to NBA greatness was inevitable; shouldn't more players (especially the good free agents) be flocking there to be a part of it?

And you know what's sad? Cleveland's so desperate to get a free agent, James is out there telling Ariza that he's going to stay with the Cavaliers.