The Miami Heat are one game away from their season coming to a disappointing ending. This means that free agency is just that much closer for the Big Three, leaving LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to determine their future in South Beach and as teammates. All three could head elsewhere if they so choose or they could stay together and try for another championship in a year. Will winning or losing this year play a factor in that decision?
According to James, winning or losing this NBA Finals will have zero effect on what he decides to in free agent. Right now the Heat are in a hole and tasked with coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the San Antonio Spurs, something only eight teams have ever done in a best-of-seven series. The Phoenix Suns were the most recent team to complete the task. According to ESPN.com, James will not base his free agency decision on what happens to the Heat this season, something that Miami should be thankful for.
The San Antonio Spurs are having their way with Miami right now and look poised to win it all in Game 5 as the series shifts back to Texas. James is remaining upbeat about the NBA Finals despite the risk of losing the championship.
"Soul searching, there won't be much of that," James said, via ESPN.com. "We're a veteran ballclub that's won a championship, that's won a couple of championships, that's been to four straight Finals. We know what it takes to win. We've just got to go out and do it."
Prior to the season beginning, Bosh hinted that a championship might play into his future decision noting that the window is always short to win and whether or not the Heat can do it again will certainly be a factor in his mind. However, the center has been very public as of late saying he has every intention of remaining in South Beach even it means that he must take less money again, something that is very likely.
Something that will play a part in free agency could be the health of Wade. The guard missed 28 games this season thanks to troublesome knees and while they have not been an issue in the postseason, they certainly are not getting any better. In an interview with USA Today Sports, Wade said he did not want the blame if James and Bosh opt to head elsewhere in free agency. However, it is hard to rule them out as a major factor. When healthy, Wade is as elite as they come. However, James was frustrated with how much he was in and out of the lineup this season and that will not be getting any better over the next few years.