The Miami Heat is perhaps one of the more intriguing teams on the spot light this coming 2014 NBA free agency. For one, their Big three in LeBron James, Dywane Wade, and Chris Bosh will become free agents this coming summer. Will they remain intact or is LeBron thinking of a change in scenery after their recent historic collapse in the 2014 NBA Finals against the hands of the mighty Spurs?
And what of their other players who are also upcoming free agents like Mario Chalmers, Rashard Lewis, Udonis Haslem, and the Bird Man Chris Andersen? And with a free-agent market teeming with talent, they could be thinking of making a run at a quality player that will help them redeem their loss in the finals - their are rumors that the Heat are trying to sign Melo to create a Big Four.
Indeed the Miami Heat enters the 2014 Free agency with a lot of possibilities. Here's a look at the 3 possible scenarios for the Miami Heat:
Most Likely Scenario: Big three intact plus new complementary pieces
The Big three will resign and look for another shot at an NBA title in the coming 2014-2015 NBA season but a few of the other players outside the Big three may be wearing another jersey. Forward-center Chris Andersen will opt-out of his contract to become a free agent sources revealed while sharp-shooting forward Rashard Lewis will likely have plenty of suitors outside the Heat. Mario Chalmers may also be wearing another jersey after his poor outing in the finals.
Bosh also told Yahoo Sports that he is confident the Heat's "Big Three" will remain intact so all in all we may be seeing a Miami Heat with the same core in James, Bosh, and Wade, but with new and possibly better complementary pieces that will help them redeem their recent loss in the finals against the Spurs.
Least Likely Scenario: Big Three plus Carmelo Anthony
Although it has been reported that the Miami Heat are exploring every possible angle to add Carmelo Anthony in their existing Big Three, its highly unlikely that the Knicks star will join the super friends in south beach. For one, the heat will be facing intense salary-cap issues making it hard for them to bring in a player like Carmelo who will definitely demand a big contract.
It is possible for them to free up space by not resigning their other free agents aside from the big three - which leaves them with a weak supporting cast - and if 2 of their big three will opt out and resign with a lesser pay cut but it would still only allow them to offer Melo a little over $10 million. This is nowhere near the pay-grade of a player like Melo but who knows he might have a change of heart and leave money on the table at a shot for a possible dynasty.
Worst Case Scenario: Big three dismantled, Lebron Leaving the Heat
With all due respect to Wade and Bosh but they didn't give LeBron the help that he needed when they were against the Spurs in the Finals. It wasn't much of a Big Three in reality and LebRon may be looking at this for a possible change in scenario. When James was asked about his future following the Game 5 elimination by the Spurs he said:
"I haven't really thought about it just yet. I will deal with my summer when I get to that point. I love Miami, my family does. I know you are trying to find answers, but I'm not going to give you one.''
So all in all, their is a possibility of James bolting out of the Heat. If this happens, I doubt Chris Bosh will stay around with Wade even if Wade remains loyal to the heat. This would simply mean the end of the Big Three in south beach.
So what is the future for the Miami Heat and their Big three? Only time will tell once the 2014 NBA free-agency kicks off this summer.
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