The Knicks’ dream vision of pairing Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James in the summer of 2015 took a big hit with Tuesday’s decision by King James to opt out of his Miami contract.
The chances of James and Anthony pairing up elsewhere this summer also appear slim, though the dreamer could say James’ opt-out is Step 2 toward the formation of a “Big 4” on South Beach.
The Knicks had hoped James would opt in and become a free agent in 2015, when they would have major cap space. Now the potential 2015 pool is down to LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol, Phoenix point guard Goran Dragic, Tony Parker and Kevin Love.
If Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade also opt out of their Miami deals, the marquee foursome would have to split the pie four ways. Estimates have Anthony taking in $15 million as a starting salary, well below the $22.5 million max the Knicks can offer for the upcoming season. Miami president Pat Riley called it “a pipe dream’’ but didn’t dismiss it completely.
All told, a Melo Miami package would come to approximately $70 million less (over four years) than the Knicks’ possible five-year, $129 million deal. One other scenario has Bosh heading to his hometown Dallas Mavericks, leaving a spot for Anthony in Miami.
Anthony and James are buddies and would love to play with each other. It’s the first time they’ve both been unrestricted free agents the same summer. The Lakers would have interest in teaming the duo with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, but they would have to come at a discounted rate because the Lakers have cap room for just one maximum player. There was a report the Lakers would try to unload Steve Nash’s $8 million pact to open more room.
The same report suggested the Hawks, too, would have interest in signing both James and Anthony but would have to make several trades to clear cap room.
Earlier this week, an Orlando TV station reported the Cavaliers would be willing to trade their No. 1 overall pick for Carmelo Anthony in attempt to sign James, too.
Anthony opted out of his contract Sunday, and there are signs he is leaning toward returning to the Knicks. His agent, Leon Rose, said Anthony “loves” New York, its fans and being a Knick. Anthony said in a video interview with Vice Sports he is leery of uprooting his family, particularly his 7-year-old son, Kiyan. Anthony added his focus is “the big picture’’ not winning a title next season.
The sentiment is James likely will re-sign with Miami and continue to be rivals with Anthony — whether he’s a Knick or a Bull.