The Miami Heat's Big 3 all took pay cuts to join together back in 2010. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all took less than the max contracts other teams were offering in order to win a championship. The sacrifice paid off twice and could potentially equal a third championship as well this season. However, with free agency approaching once again, will the team be willing to make the financial sacrifice once again to stay together in South Beach?
Bosh has already made hints that everyone intends to remain with the Heat. All three players can opt out of their final contract year and sign else. They could opt out and re-sign with the Heat or they can just play out their contracts and become free agents in 2015. If they opt out and want to stay in Miami, they will have to take pay cuts again. The Heat cannot afford three top-dollar deals in the salary cap. Bosh notes he would be willing to take one for the team and accept a smaller deal if it keeps all three players together.
Bosh made an appearance on ESPN's The Dan LeBatard Show to discuss the playoffs and free agency. He noted that he simply has no intentions of leaving Miami saying, "Yeah, I mean, I don't want to go anywhere. I like it here. It's Miami. Everybody wants to come here. Yeah." When pressed about financial restraints and whether or not he would accept less money, Bosh said, "If that's what it takes."
If the Big 3 stay together for the next few seasons, the Heat will also be contenders. There are plenty of teams that will be willing to offer players like Bosh more money to come play for them. The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks have all been listed as potential landing spots for the big man. Almost all of them can afford to give him a bigger deal that the Heat will be able to, but they will not have Wade and James on the roster. Bosh got a taste of winning and he is not going to settle for anything less at this point.
The Heat will also have to deal with the future of Ray Allen who continues to be clutch in the playoffs. The veteran is in the final year of his contract as well and will have to decide how much longer he intends on playing. He is approaching 39 and told media he is not sure playing into his 40's is the best option. Allen could easily still earn more than the veteran's minimum if he wanted to keep playing, but if Wade, James and Bosh all get new contracts, there might not be space for Allen.
