The Miami Heat have aspirations of adding even more superstar power to their already talented roster. According to ESPN, the Heat have had talks about adding Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony, like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, can become a free agent this summer if he opts out of the final year of his contract. We previously told you that LeBron is interested in playing with Carmelo, and this new report supports that.
The report says Heat officials and team leaders have already begun talking about their options to create enough financial flexibility to make this foursome happen. Another key factor here is that some of the star players, like LeBron, are doing well enough with their investments or endorsements where they feel they can make up for the pay cut through other channels.
Sources say internal conversations within the Heat organization about pursuing this course have run concurrently with Miami’s bid to win a third consecutive championship, with sources adding that James in particular is likely to try to recoup potential salary sacrificed through fresh off-court business opportunities if the Heat’s new dream scenario does come to fruition.
ESPN also notes that LeBron stood to earn about $30 million from the Beats by Dre deal with Apple. LeBron got a small stake in the company in 2008 in exchange for promoting the headphones, and he is cashing in now that they were acquired for $3 billion.
This chatter is also nothing new according to SI’s Chris Mannix:
League buzz is that LBJ/Wade/Bosh/Melo have at least kicked around the idea of playing together. Remember, no rules against player tampering
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) June 12, 2014
USA Today’s Sam Amick believes Wade’s health issues are more reasons why LeBron would want ‘Melo:
LeBron always liked idea of playing w/ Carmelo, but the idea that he could lessen load that's heavier because of Wade's knee program is key
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 11, 2014
I really think they can make this happen. Bosh has said he wants to stay in Miami and would be willing to take less. LeBron is not leaving Miami and would probably take less in order to give himself a chance at winning more, which is his top priority. The only questions are if Wade is unselfish enough to go along and realize his limitations because of his age and body, and whether ‘Melo would take less, too.
Pat Riley can definitely make it all happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
