Nate Robinson leaping over Dwight Howard. Tyler Hansbrough cutting down a net. Dwyane Wade’s band-aid. The poor souls bouncing off of Blake Griffin. Derrick Rose’s first step. Michael Beasley’s stumble. Kobe Bryant raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The looks of desperation on the Nets’ faces…

There are countless images from 2009, but they fade with each passing day as we head into a new year. So what will this year hold?

NaismithLives.com senior writer Adam Stanco makes five bold predictions for 2010…

1. The 2010 Free Agency class will be disappointing.

There isn’t a more hotly anticipated basketball event than the summer spending spree for the upcoming free agent class. But there won’t be much movement.

Despite all the buildup, most of the elite stars will stay home.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Manu Ginobili, Joe Johnson, Yao Ming, Amar’e Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Dirk Nowitzki might be on the market, but don’t be surprised if the majority of them stay with their current teams. The NBA’s salary cap will likely go down again, leaving few teams with the opportunity to sign max contracts. Also, many stars will find that the grass really is greener right where they are.

2. Jim Calhoun will announce his retirement.

Connecticut advanced to the Final Four last season and they could make a similar run this season, but Coach Calhoun can’t lead the Huskies forever. He’ll be 67 in May and he’s faced many health problems recently, including breaking five ribs during a charity race last year.

As a head coach for five decades, 800 wins, and two National Championships on his resume, Calhoun has nothing left to accomplish. UConn is in great hands and it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone when he finally decides to call it quits.

3. Tracy McGrady will be traded.

One of the many big names in the 2010 free agency class, McGrady is most valuable to the Houston Rockets as an expiring contract. At $23.2 million, he’s currently the highest paid player in the NBA and many teams would love that money to come off their books in 2010.

Rockets GM Daryl Morey isn’t interested in popular names, he’s interested in results. He’ll deal McGrady and Houston will be better off for it.

4. Jeremy Tyler will try to challenge age minimum rule, in hopes of being first overall pick.

Tyler made the infamous decision to skip his senior year at San Diego High School to sign a professional basketball contract in Europe. He eventually inked a $140,000 deal with Maccabi Haifa. But he’ll be back here soon.

Reports say the 18-year old is feuding with his coach and showing too many signs of immaturity. Consequently, Tyler is miserable.

NBA rules state that a prospect is not eligible for the draft until one year after his high school class graduates. This means Tyler isn’t eligible until 2011. However, international players only need to turn 19 by the end of the calendar year they are entering the draft in. Tyler turns 19 in June and will use this loophole to enter the 2010 NBA Draft.

In spite of the negative perceptions surrounding him, any mega-talented big man with European experience will have a chance to be the No. 1 pick. Even with John Wall standing in his way.

5. Mark Jackson will be an NBA head coach.

One of the finest pure point guards in league history, it was always obvious that Jackson had a brilliant basketball mind.

Some NBA team is going to take advantage of it this year.

Jackson has no coaching experience, yet he was a candidate for the New York Knicks head coaching position in 2008 and a candidate for the Minnesota Timberwolves head job last year. He’ll finally get his first shot in 2010.