The Miami Heat have lost to the Spurs in the NBA finals and now the future of the Big 3 is in question, as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all can opt out of their contracts and this offseason the team could target players in free agency and some names to pair alongside with King James includes Lance Stephenson, Pau Gasol, Luol Deng, Chandler Parsons, Avery Bradley and Kyle Lowry among many other free agents on the market.
According to ESPN.com, Carmelo Anthony will be a target for the Miami Heat and that likely means LeBron is staying and while there is a chance he could leave, all signs point to him remaining in Miami. The Big 3 era in a way is over even if they all sign back, as they lost to the Spurs and now this could be the second phase of what James does as he tries to win more championships. The Bulls, Lakers and Rockets are all options for him and they all have solid talent and could sway him, although LA is coming off of a very rough season.
The team showed during the playoffs that it needs a point guard and Kyle Lowry could be an option, while Stephenson is also hitting the market. Gasol could be a nice fit on the inside and the team also may go after Luol Deng and he could be a free agent option as well. Deng is versatile, but the team may not have enough money for him if they try to keep the Big 3 as well.
Stephenson and Deng are options and while Stephenson and James went back and forth in the playoffs, Pat Riley will sign him if he feels he can help the team. Stephenson is talented and is likely too expensive for the Heat to bring in after the way he has established himself over the past few years for the Pacers. Stephenson is talented and bit crazy, but that could be exactly what the team needs. Deng is very versatile and while he will be pricey, he could be an option as well after playing for the Bulls and getting traded to the Cavs. Miami is going to have some major moves to make if they fall in the championship to the Spurs and that is close to happening now.
The Knicks have some major questions heading into the offseason and the future development of the team could hinge on what happens with Anthony. The Knicks would be able to survive without Anthony because they have money and will find a way to sign players, but losing him would be tough simply because the Knicks blew up their team and their future to trade for him in the first place. Anthony has every right to be a free agent if he wants to and that still allows the Knicks to sign him back and they have an advantage since they can give him the most amount of years and the highest dollar amount as well.
Anthony is coming into the offseason as a major target and according to ESPN.com, the Miami Heat now are in the mix with the Dallas Mavericks, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls. The Miami Heat could make a run if the Big 3 opt out and then sign back and that has to terrify NY fans, because the Heat can do it. James has sway and while the team can't officially talk to Melo until July 1, LeBron James could start the work already.
