What the Big 3 do in the offseason is really anyone's guess. The three marquee soon-to-be free agents of the Miami Heat are keeping everyone guessing what their futures hold, opting not to talk about things until the season is over. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh have all made hints that a return to the Heat is a very real option in 2014 and most of their teammates believe the same thing.
Bosh noted at the beginning of the season that a third-straight championship would play a large role in what free agency looks like for all three. If the Heat win it all this year and opt to all return again, there is a very real chance they could win four titles in four years. That has never been done by the greats of the NBA and would put them in a category of their own. That is certainly an enticing thing, but so is a new, large contract, something the Heat will have a hard time offering. However, according to Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report, most Miami Heat teammates believe James and company stay put.
Skolnick writes that it would be a shock for James to leave in free agency. If James leaves, Bosh is expected to be gone as well, dismantling the Heat. However, teammates have been communicating about the future and while they have not weighed heavily on the free agency topic, most have come to conclusion that everyone stays put for at least one more year.
There is some thought that James, Wade and Bosh can simply take the player option, spend one more year in Miami and then truly test the market in 2015. That free agency class will be big if that is the case since Rajon Rondo, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler will be available as well. There really is not a better situation for any of the big 3 outside of Miami, especially if they all stay, but several teams are planning on making a push regardless.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are convinced they can bring James back in the offseason. Armed with the No. 1 overall pick and budding star Kyrie Irving, owner Dan Gilbert continues to remain optimistic about James coming "home" in the offseason. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Gilbert plans on making a big sell to James about the future in Cleveland. However, the forward is in the prime of his career and has no interest in joining a rebuilding team.
The New York Knicks are hopeful that a pairing with Carmelo Anthony is enough to excite James over to the Big Apple. If Anthony re-signs at a lower price and the Knicks make a few trades, getting James on the books is doable, but highly unlikely even with his long-time friend on the team.
The Los Angeles Lakers would love to have James and if they fail to deal for Kevin Love, the Heat star is their next target. The Lakers are trying not to waste the final two years of Kobe Bryant's career and bringing on James would certainly help the championship effort.
