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Bosh calls Anthony addition to Heat ‘unlikely’
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Miami forward Chris Bosh addressed reports regarding the possible addition of Carmelo Anthony to the Heat next season with a simple statement.
“It’s very, very unlikely,” Bosh said Thursday before Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami against the San Antonio Spurs.
On Wednesday, ESPN reported that the Heat were looking into creating a scenario in which they could retain potential free agents-to-be LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Bosh and add o Anthony this summer.
Bosh told the Miami Herald on Thursday that he has never discussed the possibility with James.
To make that happen, James, Wade and Bosh would have to agree to new contracts likely at a reduced salary rate to clear the way for the Heat to make a run at Anthony, the New York Knicks forward who could become a free agent later this month.
The Heat cannot make contact with Anthony until July 1 if he opts out of the final year of his contract. Anthony has a June 23 deadline to inform the Knicks of his intentions. New Knicks president Phil Jackson is expected to make a strong push to persuade Anthony to stay in New York and play out the final year of his contract.
Miami could have as much as $50 million in cap space this summer. The only player locked into a contract next season is guard Norris Cole at $2 million, assuming the three stars opt out of their Heat deals.
James, Wade and Bosh must notify the Heat by the end of June their intention to opt in or out of the final years of their contracts or become free agents on July 1.
Bosh has indicated a desire to remain in Miami. James has remained noncommittal all season.
“That’s kind of like on the back burner right now,” James said Wednesday after the Heat’s loss to the Spurs in Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Among the other teams mentioned as potential landing spots this summer for the 30-year-old Anthony are Chicago, Houston and Dallas if he decides on free agency.
On the flip side, should James choose to play for the $21 million the Heat owe him next season, the Knicks could make a run in 2015 at signing James to pair him with Anthony in New York, ESPN reported.
