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NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony unlikely to join Miami Heat

By Andrew Melnick

Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Shane Battier (31) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Shane Battier (31) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Over the last few days, a report surfaced that New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony and Miami Heat forward LeBron James want to play together in the future and that the Miami Heat would be pursuing Anthony.

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It is hard to deny that either of those reports are true, but the it doesn’t seem difficult to realize the chances of it actually happening are slim.

Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel doesn’t believe any top tier free agent like Anthony will give up enough money to join the Heat.

"I know that again became a talking point after the USA Today report, but I still find it hard to fathom that a team that allowed Mike Miller to depart via amnesty release would turn around and then spend on a fourth star, even if it came with the Big Three giving up part of their salaries. Remember, the Heat still will be paying Miller’s salary next season, even though he no longer counts against the cap or tax. All of that said, never, ever doubt Pat Riley. But Erik Spoelstra also talks about how it takes a certain type of player to fit the team’s system, one who is willing to sacrifice, as Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have done. Carmelo Anthony hardly comes off as such a player, although the influence of LeBron James, Micky Arison, Spoelstra and Riley could potentially change that. Still, it comes off as pie-in-the-sky conjecture, rooted neither in anything offered from Anthony nor even hinted at by the Heat’s Big Three. And, no, to preempt a follow-up, I would not trade Bosh for Anthony. Not with the way Bosh fits with this group. Are the Heat “considering” a run at Carmelo Anthony should he become a free agent? Yes. They also are considering a run at every other player who could be a free agent. That’s how they operate, having targeted Ray Allen weeks before 2012 free agency began. The Heat brought Michael Beasley back when no one saw that coming, so anything is possible. Anything. Including a Big Four. Or, of course, possibly the end of the Big Three. And anyone who thinks any of LeBron James’ focus at the moment is on Carmelo Anthony doesn’t know LeBron James."

Anthony averaged 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season and shot 45.2% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free throw line.