LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are many things to one another.
They are opponents. They are friends. They are members of the All-Star brat pack.
Could they also be future teammates?
LeBron apparently hopes so.
Writing on the deliberateness behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ long, infecund coaching search, USA Today‘s Sam Amick, dropped this gem:
Yet according to two people with knowledge of the situation, Anthony’s part in this fluid free agency situation is worth monitoring as James is known to be interested in eventually playing with his close friend. Anthony also has a player option on his deal for next season (worth $23.5 million), and his connection to James has teams like the Lakers, Knicks and even the Heat wondering whether he may be able to join the four-time NBA MVP. The people requested anonymity because of sensitive nature of free agency talk.
A Big Four with the Heat (James, Wade, Bosh and Anthony) is possible, but it would require significant pay cuts from all involved. The Heat have about $8 million in payroll for next season if James, Wade and Bosh all opt out. It comes in handy that the salary cap is expected to increase by about $5 million next season to $63.2 million, while the luxury tax threshold is expected to be $77 million.
Before paying top dollar for a company to manufacture bobble heads of LeBron and Melo joined at the hip, remember this isn’t anything new. The LeBron-Melo concept has been around for a while now, and it’s not on the verge of becoming reality anytime soon.
Pairing LeBron with Melo isn’t impossible either. A long shot, yes. Impossible, no. It’s all about finding the right fit.
The Heat aren’t ideal candidates unless they plan on getting rid of Bosh or Wade, or the “Big Four” plan on taking massive pay cuts. If the Big Three opt into the next year of their deals and the Heat sign placeholders across the board who come off their books in 2015, then next summer would give them more flexibility, just not much. It would be the same, pay-cuts-on-pay-cuts-on-pay-cuts story.
Teaming up in Los Angeles is more realistic. If Anthony signs with the Lakers this summer, they’ll have some financial wiggle room next year, provided they don’t take on any other long-term contracts. Melo could also opt into the last year of his deal, enter free agency with LeBron in 2015 and proceed to help drum up Kobe Bryant’s ring count.
This, again, would entail LeBron and Melo taking substantial pay cuts, but if they’re both willing to delay free agency another year, it’s easier to imagine two stars accepting less over four.
Last—and for the first time in a long time—certainly not least, we have the Knicks. They have the best chance at making this happen. True story.
Whether Melo re-signs or puts off free agency until next summer won’t matter. If the Knicks resist the urge to add long-term salary, they’ll be in position to nab another max superstar—maybe two if pay cuts are involved.
All of this, however, is dependent on LeBron becoming a free agent in 2015. He must opt into the next year of his deal. Teaming up with Melo becomes next to impossible otherwise.
Truthfully, it’s already unlikely. Delaying free agency only marginally increases the chances of these two playing together. But if LeBron’s as high on playing alongside Melo as some think, marginal upticks in feasibility are enough to keep us talking and King James dreaming.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
