Later this summer, Carmelo Anthony can choose to opt-out of his contract for next season and become a free agent. The teams that have been rumored as the most likely destinations for the All-Star Forward include the Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls. The defending two-time NBA champion Miami Heat have emerged as yet another possibility. Though it’s unlikely to happen, anything is possible with the Heat, as they proved in 2010.
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In order to be able to afford Melo, the Miami Heat will have to restructure some contracts. The existing Big Three can opt-out of their contracts this summer, as can the role players Udonis Haslem and Chris “Birdman” Andersen. Those five players would likely have to agree to pay cuts that could range up to tens of millions of dollars over the course of their new deals.
A starting lineup that includes Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James would be terrifying for the rest of the league. The Heat pride themselves on their defense, and while Melo wouldn’t add much in that department, he would make their offense nearly impossible to stop. That is if the Heat can manage the egos of four superstar players at once.
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It will be interesting to see how Melo handles free agency, and where he ends up. I don’t see him staying in New York to be part a rebuilding process, even if it is Phil Jackson behind the wheel.
Melo has until June 23 to opt-out, and free agency begins July 1.
