No doubt. Which is why the Heat could be in trouble.
At least with respect to LeBron.
I could have seen the coordinated opt-out and resigning of all three with the intention of giving the Heat room to overhaul the roster. But since it's happening like this, I think it means that there's a significant chance LeBron goes somewhere else.
And this is just another extension of the differences between the Heat/Spurs we say in the Finals. The Spurs built a franchise, the Heat built a very specific team. The former has endured for a decade, the latter is falling apart after a few years.
CLE trades #1 and Anthony Bennett to MIN for Love
LeBron goes home to form a new "big 3" with Irving and Love.
As far as I can tell, everyone wins in this situation except Miami.
Yeah, I think they're in some trouble
the Heat's best depth building propositions in the Big-3 Era have been convincing ring-chasing veterans (Battier, Allen, Birdman) to take a discount in order to nigh-guarantee themselves a photo hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy. As Hillary Clinton will tell you, though, the "Inevitability" argument only works so long as you're winning. Miami cut Mike Miller last year, and their discount depth guys (Allen, Battier, Andersen) are either eyeing the exits or beyond their useful lives. also, their homegrown guys either haven't really emerged (Cole) or are among the league's worst players at their positions (Chalmers).
Wade and Bosh would have to be simply insane to opt out at this point (especially Wade). The only way I could see those guys taking less money would be for some totally insane maneuver like LeBron paying those guys under the table out of his non-basketball ventures.
Wade would be stupid to opt out
No one would pay him anything close to what he's making.
Bosh is an interesting case, but the last few seasons may have completely wrecked his market value. Spoelstra has no idea how to use him (or he just doesn't fit well together with what he's trying to accomplish) and he's not getting any younger.
Which means the Heat better be hoping that not-so-dynamic
duo also opt out. Because if they have Bosh/Wade existing contracts, plus a new max contract for LeBron, they aren't going to be able to do much.
Have you heard about this Tim Tebow kid?
- No text -
Likely depends what the Heat do besides courting LeBron.
Opt-ing out makes the most sense from a business perspective. He gets to listen to offers from other teams or re-sign for 5 years at max money with the Heat. Knowing that LeBron is only loyal to LeBron, the Heat better be figuring out what will keep him happy.
He's just putting pressure on Riley to upgrade the roster
He needs something more than Dwyane Wade's corpse and Chris Bosh hitting 15 foot jumpers to contend for a title.
We haven't heard anything on Brett Favre's plans in a while
- No text -
ESPN is going to be even more insufferable
I wonder how they'll shoehorn this into the World Cup.
The talk radio folks seem to think he'll still sign w Miami
- No text -
Surprised? LeBron becomes a free agent
The NBA is a different animal.
Superstars moving from team to team within the first 10 years of their career... just seems odd.