Sam Amick: Melo and Lebron interested in joining forces

I know riley is like man i wish bosh didn't have that player option. dont think he would be unloyal and trade him ?

 

The Miami Heat could have upwards of $50 million in cap space available during the summer of 2014 if LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all elect to opt out of their contracts in search of long-term security elsewhere.

Say James, Wade, Bosh, Melo take $10 million/year respectively, that leaves $10 million for a bench unit. Norris Cole, Birdman, and UD will all be already under contract next year.

Cole/Farmar
Wade/Meeks
James/Aminu
Anthony/Haslem
Bosh/Anthony/Stiemsma

Bolded are all players that Miami can afford realistically off of their remaining cap space and MLE.

 

To be honest they can sign a bunch of D-leaguers and it wouldn't matter. Wade/Bosh/Carmelo/James is just too ridiculous.

 

Then I forgot to mention that Miami has the #26 pick in this year's draft.

He has Miami selecting Shabazz Napier, who would fit with Coach Spo's system perfectly.

 

That would mean four mega-stars, most in their prime, taking paycuts of nearly 60% from their max.

Just think about how silly that is.

 

They said the same about Wade/Bosh/James in 2010 and look what happened in the 2011 Finals. Especially with Dwayne Wade's questionable health, Miami is gonna need to find a back up for him.

Even with that, think about the frontline of Anthony and Bosh. That combo could be one of the worst defensive frontlines of any playoff squad.

 

Now it doesn't sound like a joke, now it sounds like a mother*****ing threat!
~Dan Lebatard

 

But...but...endorsements, man!

I remember during the 2010 free agency how some ESPN columnist suggested that Lebron should sign with NY for the vet min and make up the rest in endorsements. I consider that scenario only slightly less possible then the idea that 4 NBA superstars are going to take something like a 30-40% pay cut.

It's utterly ridiculous and is just ESPN click baiting.

 

Hypothetically, suppose the Lakers trade their 7th pick along with Steve Nash in a salary dump. Say to the Sixers for the 11th pick. Then retain no one beyond that. In that scenario, both Melo and Lebron can only be signed for $16mil/yr. To create a team with Kobe/Melo/Lebron/1st round pick/minimum players. This is the literally the most reasonable max money they can create.

I know the Lakers are the Lakers. But man, they really have ridiculous egos to think that's enough to get two of the top players to play for them. And not even to win. That team would lose in the 1st round to at least 6-7 WC teams next year. At least Morey can offer both near-max money and a championship contender.

If the Lakers do think that, then they obviously haven't learned enough from the Dwight fiasco.

 

Totally. I'll admit that it's a great PR move by the Heat. Heading into a summer of free agency (maybe) for LeBron and Bosh, it gets people talking about the potential for what could be in Miami, rather than their ongoing decline right in front of our eyes. But it's irresponsible of ESPN to report that without diving into just how ridiculous it is, in terms of the cap.

There are so many factors working against it, starting with the NBA Players Union and the league office. For 4 of the league's headlining players to take 50% to 60% paycuts would throw the entire league model into chaos. For starters, it would make endorsement deals -- rather than actual NBA salaries -- the primary focus for players. Small markets, barring extraordinary circumstances, would then basically have no reason to exist. Mid-level players -- such as the Chandler Parsons tier -- would essentially have no market. The resulting lockout from all of these issues could last years.

The union and league office can't "punish" them, but their opinions certainly carry weight. Combine that with other good situations (possibly HOU?) offering these players $20+ million per season instead of $10, and there are just too many factors working against it.

 

I think it would be smarter to give James and bosh closer to max and then go for Lowry and Stephenson at maybe 8-10ish. That creates some shot creators and ppl that can take over.

 

Seriously though, why would you even post something this blatant? Neither Lebron or Melo is at all interested in playing with Kobe and the Lakers.

 

Cyberx, is Miami's interest in Melo mutual?

 

I hate those Drama Queens on ESPN, the local talk shows are so much better. Caught myself listening to Dave Rothenberg on ESPN radio later that evening, not sure why I did that, but he was running the same bogus storyline. Build up the straw man argument that people were criticizing LeBron to knock it down as wrong. A couple of callers called him out on stirring up b.s., asking him who specifically was criticizing LeBron for coming out of the game. Rothenberg was clearly agitated and could only say it was "all over twitter." ESPN must have fed this story line to its talking heads for the daily script.

 

Told you guys about Lebron wanting a smaller load. Wades knees are having Lebron think this way.

Read the earlier post guys.

 

Lol at the heat fans who will try to justify this if they do team up... "Carmelo isn't a star!!! LeBron is a victim!! Yall cherry pick!! Waaah wahhh wahh" -Red Redemption

 

You put it better than I could. Besides asking 4 of the leagues top 20 players to take 50%+ paycuts, there's all kinds of groups they would ruin afoul of within the NBA.

Not happening. The current CBA allows for a team with good planning to sign 3 max free agents....not 4.

 

Wade needs to opt out and sign for 5 years $50 million so they can have room to sign Lance Stephenson, then LeBron could coast all season and playoffs until they get to the Finals.

 

I can see Wade and Bosh taking less money and LeBron heading towards max.
Wade is flat out too old now to demand a max contract, and Bosh isn't aggressive enough to command one either.

 

If this gets done, that would be crazy. 4 stars sacrificing to win rings. Pretty crazy.

But it won't happen. Not seeing it in Melo.