Most top-tier talent agents today are busy diversifying into other businesses: sports, corporate brands, private financing.
It was not clear whether the Knicks might veer from that posture to acquire a top-tier free agent, like Butler.
Their slugging third baseman, Scott Rolen, is healthy, and his return is like adding a top-tier free agent to the lineup.
In the offseason, teams around the N.F.L. threw oodles of money at top-tier free agents, but they have seen meager returns on their investments.
The Jets have not gone after top-tier free agents to replace departing young talent (James Farrior, Kerry Jenkins, Randy Thomas, James Darling, Laveranues Coles), supplanting them in most cases with older, flawed veterans.
And what is truly getting everyone's attention is that a team long associated with low payrolls and little inclination to pursue top-tier free agents suddenly seems inclined to spend money.
The official said Falk was scheming up a pitch for the Bulls, who have $19 million in salary-cap space but little talent after most of the league's top-tier free agents spurned them the past month.
Twelve players received the tag this year, the most ever, and it removed from the market several who would have been top-tier free agents, including Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant and Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen.
But his statements gave credence to the theory that James would be willing to go to a team with less available salary-cap space if it meant he could play alongside either, or possibly both, of his fellow top-tier free agents, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The Dodgers might not pursue top-tier free agents until they rid themselves of some long-term contracts.
In 2019, a new television contract will kick in, deepening the organization's pockets, and enabling the team to retain key players and plug holes with top-tier free agents.
