The NBA offseason is official this week and LeBron James once again is the main focus, as teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets want to sign him and Carmelo Anthony and this comes as Pat Riley is trying to keep the big 3 together after Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh opted out into free agency.
James comes into the offseason after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA finals and now some think he could he convinced to leave and sign with a new team. Most NBA execs see James signing back with Miami, but they will need to make some moves in free agency to convince him and that means signing a solid player or two along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Miami Heat are chasing a number of players, including Chandler Parsons and Kyle Lowry and signing those names will help keep James and the Big 3.
Miami has over $50 million in cap space, but they need that to sign back James as well as Wade and Bosh if they want to keep all three. Luol Deng reportedly has said he is not looking to take a pay cut to sign with Miami, while Kyle Lowry could be an option, as reports say that him to Houston is not happening. Miami needs a point guard after the way Mario Chalmers played last season and Lowry could be the best on the market. Isaiah Thomas is also another player to keep an eye one and he comes in after having a great season with the Kings, putting up over 20 points and six assists per game and he could be in the mix as well, while the Lakers and Pistons are also chasing him.
Parsons is a perfect fit for the team and he could be in the mix as a restricted free agent, but the Rockets are also looking to retain him after drafting and developing him. The Celtics and the Lakers are chasing him and Parsons also could be sign and trade bait for Houston since they can match offers for him. Parsons is a very good shooter and the Rockets may have to make a huge decision, as he is an RFA and likely will get some nice offers and Houston will have to decide about matching any deals.
Lance Stephenson is another option for Miami and if the team doesn't sign some names, teams like the Cavaliers, Rockets and Bulls could try and sign James away. Miami comes in looking to keep their stars and the three likely will have to take some less money to stay. ESPN.com is reporting that the Heat are looking at James, Bosh and Wade all to remain and James wants $20 million, while Wade said that he would take $12 million over four years.