The Miami Heat are in limbo. They are patiently waiting the free agency decisions of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh while also trying to attract some of the league's other top talent to improve the roster. The Heat are strapped for cash, trying to persuade players with championship rings over high-paying contracts, so who is on their wish list?
According to ESPN.com, Gasol and his agent met with Miami Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Eric Spoelstra to discuss a potential signing in free agency. The Heat have what Gasol is looking for in a team. They are established and have good chances of competing for a championship. However, the money is the biggest issue between the two sides.
Gasol reportedly wants a deal in the $10 million range.That cannot happen in South Beach. If Miami signs all three members of the Big Three, presumably James getting the max contract, they might have around $12 million. ESPN's report continues to say that is what Riley is telling free agents the team has to spend on contracts. That is better than the $5 million the Oklahoma City Thunder have before hitting the luxury cap line.
Competition for Gasol is high. He has also met with the Chicago Bulls about a deal. There is also the potential that he returns to the Los Angeles Lakers pending a decision from Carmelo Anthony. If Gasol wants to win a championship, the Heat is the best place for him to go, but only if James, Wade and Bosh come back.
Riley remains confident that the team is going to retain all three players. That is the attitude he is taking when it comes to making his sales pitch to free agents. However, will that happen? According to Miami Heat beat writer Ira Winderman, James is having second thoughts about remaining in South Beat. Wilderman writes that Wade's health is a big issue.
James is losing faith that Wade can play many more years in the league. The guard missed a good portion of games during the regular season, including much of the last two weeks. However, he returned for the postseason looking healthy and revived. These types of things could just be free agency chatter, but it can assumed James is thinking heavily about Wade's knees. What will happen with the Heat is anyone's guess, but Riley and company are formulating several plans just in case.
