There are plenty of questions regarding the future of the Miami Heat, but they mainly center around what the Big 3 will be doing in free agency. With LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade all having the ability to opt out and head elsewhere, fans are wondering what it will take to keep the championship trio together for a few more years. Certainly winning a championship this season will be a major factor, but so could health.
While James and Bosh are in the prime of their respective careers, Wade is starting to show a bit of age. His troublesome knees caused him to miss 28 games during the regular season including most of the final stretch of games resulting the Miami earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Could those knees impact the future of James and Bosh as they consider early termination? Wade said if James or Bosh leaves in free agency, do not blame him.
"Just don't solely put it on me," Wade said, via USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt. "That's what I'm saying. Don't put the X on me. ... There's a lot that goes into, so just don't say, 'If Dwyane Wade doesn't have the year that we're accustomed to, it's over.'"
Sure Wade was joking with the comment, but the reality is that his health will certainly play a major factor in what James decides to do. The four-time league MVP has no intentions of losing anymore. In the best year's of his career, he wants to remain with a championship-contending team. If Wade's healthy continues on this downward slope, that might not be the Heat anymore. Wade's health will not be the deciding factor, but it will certainly be a bullet point on a pros and cons list.
Wade might have missed a lot of the regular season, but he is benefiting from it in the postseason. Prior to Wednesday's loss, the 32-year-old was shooting 52 percent overall while averaging 19 points per game. If he and James remain in Miami, it is likely the team will take the approach of the San Antonio Spurs and conserve their players during the regular season. That will mean more time on the bench for Wade and James because it clearly pays off come playoff time.
Bosh notes that he does not intend on leaving Miami in free agency and if James and Wade stay put, he likely will too. The center has some attention on him as multiple teams are looking for a scoring big man. If Bosh were to opt out and test the market, teams from the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers will call his number.